Q: How do I know when my dog is in pain?

A:      Well, obviously our pets can't say  "My back hurts that is why I don't jump on and off the furniture like I use to" or "My hips hurt, that is why it is so hard for me to stand and it takes me so long to lie down."  Most of our pets our real troopers never whining or complaining like some of us do when were hurt.  Pets want to please us, be with us, even if they hurt and have a
hard time getting around.
        So how do our pets communicate to us that they are in pain?  They don't tell us verbally that their back hurts or hips hurt.  We have to become better observers of our pets, understanding that lower activity levels, isolation, wobbling, shaking muscles, instability and lethargy are signs that something is wrong.  Let us say your dog has had hip surgery or sustained an injury to their hips or is suffering from arthritis, this can set up a multitude of problems within their bodies.  These problems become what are known as compensation injuries due to the original trauma to their body. Your pet can develop chronic to acute pain, reduction in range of motion and flexibility in their shoulders. The pets hips will loose strength, coordination and stability
from the injury or surgery and begin to develop muscle atrophy. The problems can be exasperated due to the shift of weight bearing in the body were the pet is trying to reduce its own pain levels by transferring the load from one part of the body to another.
        The problems will continue to surmount if untreated, the muscles in their backs will become painful, arching upward in attempts to lower pain in their bodies. The muscles in your pets' flanks, ribcage and saddle area will also become extremely painful from pulled muscles.
        So, how do I know my pet has sore shoulders, backs or hips?  There are some tell tale signs of pain; but we have to look for them by physically examining our dogs.  Begin by palpating (using finger pressure) along the pets' neck following the spine downward onto the shoulders going completely around the perimeter of the shoulder blades.  Next move down the sides of the spine slowly applying finger pressure every inch or so, *please do not press
directly on the spine*, until you have reached the hips.  Examine the sides of the body in the same manner working systematically across the flanks. Moving to the hips you again will follow the perimeter of the hip socket palpating every inch going down each leg.
        Now that you have done this or just beginning to do this you will be looking for signs of pain from your pet.  Pain comes in many forms of responses, here a few:
* Concerned glances
* Increased respiration
* Avoidance of you touch
* Lip curling/growling
* Licking of your hands
* Mouthing or grabbing of your hand
* Sounds/noises
You may experience any or all of these signs not specifically in this order. If you find these signs in your pet it maybe time to find a form of treatment to help such as; massage, acupuncture or exercise therapy.  Please remember all of these treatments are wonderful but they do not replace veterinary care.

MICHAEL HOLLOWAY
PET MASSAGE REHABILITATION SERVICES,INC
BOCA RATON, FL 33431   USA
561-393-4732 OFFICE
561-393-1765 FAX
petmas2193@aol.com
www.petmassage-rehab.com