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A dog in pain can be par- ticularly dangerous when around small children who do not know how to read the pet’s body language that says he wishes to be left alone. It is imperative that


Watch the position and care the dog takes to lay down. Injured, older and arthritic dogs may prefer to slide down, scooting their front paws forward.


we learn to translate these subtle signals in our dogs so we may recognize there is a problem that is causing pain or discomfort. With an understanding of the different signs and behav-


ioral changes caused by pain, it becomes much easier to interpret what your pet is feeling. As veterinarians, we have multiple pain scales


devised for various situations to help us measure and quantify pain. These scales allow the veterinary staff to objectively assess each patient so we can recognize and address pain promptly when it is identified. These meth- ods work very well in acute pain states like those follow- ing surgery or trauma, but chronic pain is tougher to quantify. Chronic pain requires different methods to assess pain levels, many of which depend on the owner’s observations of the pet and their behavior at home. Various pain scales can help you, the owner, monitor your pet’s progress as they recover from a surgery or as they undergo treatment for a chronically painful prob- lem such as arthritis of the back or hips. Recognizing what the pain process looks like


allows us to better understand what our dogs are feeling and this understanding permits us to make compassion- ate choices regarding pain therapy. With proper pain recognition, control and rehabilitative techniques to manage age related orthopedic problems; many dogs can enjoy much longer life spans than they might have even ten years ago. By being a keen observer, you can help us detect and treat that pain early and provide the best pos- sible care for your dog. If you suspect your dog may be having pain symp-


toms, please have them checked by your veterinarian promptly. Do not try to treat this yourself; many com- mon human analgesics are toxic to dogs and may wors- en the situation. Also, different sources or types of pain may be treated with different therapies based on your veterinarian’s examination findings and pain evaluation. Treatment options may include various analgesic med- ications, nutritional supplements, laser therapy, therapeu- tic ultrasound, acupuncture or manual therapies similar to human physical therapy and chiropractic. Thankfully, modern veterinary medicine provides many options for the management and control of pain in our beloved pets so they may live longer and happier lives. U


Dr. Baird practices at Country Oaks Animal Hospital in Palm Harbor. Contact her at 727.785.6524.


www.TheNewBarker.com Spring ~ 2014 THE NEW BARKER 71


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