Old Dog Pains — How to Recognize Them?

📞 Senior checks in Vantaa: 010 739 9130

“It's just getting old.” This is a phrase that we hear in the vet too often.

Many of the symptoms that the owner puts on the spike of normal aging are actually due to from chronic painsymptoms such as osteoarthritis or toothache. The good news is that pain can be treated — and with treatment, the “old and tired” dog may become younger in the eyes.

5 signs that can tell of pain

Pain changes the dog's behavior little by little. Pay attention to these:

1. Slowing down while jogging

The dog lags behind, does not want to go out or stops.

2. Movement output rigidity

After rest, the ascent is rough, but becomes tenser in motion.

3. Withdrawal and irritability

In the past, a social dog likes to be alone. It may growl at other dogs or children if these come too close (fear of pain).

4. Medication and agitation

The dog groans inside for no reason, constantly changes position and is unable to relax.

5. Unwillingness to jump

Jumping on the sofa or in the car is no longer successful or the dog will hesitate to do so.

Senior Audit Reveals Latent Ailments

At Animal Hospital Sacrum, we recommend regular senior checks for dogs over 8 years of age.

• Pain Mapping: We palpate the joints and the back.
• Blood tests: We check the condition of internal organs (liver, kidneys) so that pain medication is safe.
• Oral examination: Toothache is one of the most common ailments of old dogs.

Old age is not a disease.

Make an appointment for a senior check and make sure your friend gets to enjoy retirement days without pain.

📍 Veterinary Hospital Sacrum — Porttisuontie 13, 01200 Vantaa