Chronic Pain in Pets — Identify Latent Symptoms

📍 Veterinary Hospital Sacrum — Specialists in Pain Management

Pain is an underdiagnosed problem in pets. Acute pain (e.g. a wound or fracture) is easy to see, but chronic pain (eg osteoarthritis, toothache, back pain) comes on the wane.

Animals are biologically programmed to mask pain. Therefore, they do not cry or whine out loud. Instead, they change their behavior.

“Grumpy Old Dog” Syndrome

Often the owner describes that the dog has become “old and grumpy”.

• It no longer comes at the door.
• It growls at children or other dogs.
• It sleeps a lot and withdraws to its own conditions.

This is not normal aging. It is often a sign that the dog is constantly hurting, and it tries to protect itself from further pain by being grumpy.

Recognize the signs of pain in everyday life

Watch your pet in these situations:

1. Moving: Did the dog hesitate to jump into the car? Has the cat stopped climbing the climbing tree?
2. Treatment measures: Does the pet resist cutting or brushing the nails at certain points?
3. Position: Does the pet lie casually on its side or does it pigeon?
4. Appearance: Is the look “worried”, the forehead in a crease or the ears in the snow?

The Vicious Circle of Pain (Wind-up)

If the pain is not treated, the nervous system becomes sensitive. In the end, even a light touch can feel painful. This is called wind pain. That's why “let's see now” is a bad strategy.

If you suspect pain, make an appointment for a pain assessment. Often, experimental pain medication reveals the truth: if a “grumpy old man” turns into a happy puppy with medicine, we know the reason.

📞 Book an appointment: 010 739 9130