b'by Elizabeth F. Baird, DVM, CVPP, CCRT, cVMADogs and PainWhat Are They Hiding?Dogs can be quite adept at hiding the fact that they are feel- Being overweight exacerbates any and all of these ortho-ing pain, and they are far more stoic than humans - especially pedic conditions. Lean dogs live an average of two years longerwithchronicorcontinuouspainsuchasiscausedby than overweight dogs and obesity has been proven to exacer-osteoarthritis. Studies indicate that 20% of dogs (regardless of bate pain from any source, in both dogs and humans.age) have osteoarthritis and 80-90% of dogs over the age of So, what are the signs of pain? Most typically, the firstseven years have osteoarthritis, sign may be your dog shows aoften in multiple joints. Armed bit of stiffness when they firstwithappropriateinformation, get up after resting.In theyoucanbecomemuchmore early stages, the stiffness willaware of subtle signs of pain in diminish quickly with activityyourpet.Earlyrecognition as they warm up.meansyoucanseekhelpfor They may have more dif-your pet closer to the beginning ficulty getting their rear endofthepaincycle,whichcan up when they try to rise fromcreate a better outcome for you the floor. You may notice hes-both. itation jumping onto the bedChronicpainisthemost orintothecar. Theymightdifficult to recognize (as com- lag behind you a bit on walksparedtoacutepain)sothe or even limp just a bit afterfocus of this article will concern exercise. Theymaybemoreidentifying chronic pain symp- hesitant to climb the stairs ortoms,especiallyearlyrecogni- simply do it a bit more slowly.tion. The earlier the diagnosis They may slip more on slickofpain,themorequicklythe floor surfaces. They may havesource can be diagnosed, identi- changesinbehaviorsuchasfied and addressed for a more avoiding children and rowdyoptimaloutcome.Thelonger youngerdogs,evenhidingpain has been present, the hard- and withdrawing. They mayeritistoreininitsnot Boos first rehab session included the underwater treadmill at simply be restless at night andimpossible,justmoredifficult Steele Pain Management & Rehab Center in Palm Harbor, FL pantmore,whichoftento get under control.And chronic pain can lead to other med- means they are having trouble getting comfortable. These areical issues such as muscle loss, decreased joint motion, ten- all signs of onset of osteoarthritis and chronic pain.don/ligament restriction and other chronic changes. ChronicpaincausesemotionalchangestooanddoesOsteoarthritis is far and away the most common cause of cause depression in dogs, which parallels how chronic painchronicpainindogs. Therecertainlyareothersincluding impactshumans.Dependingontheindividualpet,theintervertebral disc disease, which causes back or neck pain, or behavior changes may be subtle or more obvious. Withdrawalpain from long standing dental disease and ear infections and, from the family is a definite warning sign that something isof course, cancer.very wrong and often the culprit is some form of pain. Osteoarthritis is simply degenerative changes in the joints Vocalizing,orcryingout,isactuallyquiteuncommonwhich results in cartilage erosion, inflammation, bone spurs, with chronic pain. The pain is a constant, normalizing theand fluid accumulation in the joints. Age is not always the condition, so most dogs wont cry or whimper unless the paincauseosteoarthritis can occur in young pets with poor joint is quite severe or the pain is of a sudden, acute onset. Andconformation such as hip or elbow dysplasia and secondary to many dogs wont vocalize even then. Their ancestors survivedtraumaorrepetitivemovements(FlyBall,Agilitywork& by not showing outward evidence of pain or disability to theother sports). Autoimmune disease is a less common cause of pack and that may be part of why dogs rarely cry out witharthritic changes but can be quite severe.chronic pain.62THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'