What does a dog in pain look like?
Your dog may never whimper or cry in pain. Your dog may still wag happily when you walk into the room. In fact, dogs frequently show pain from osteoarthritis in very subtle ways or even try to hide the joint pain from their human companions. Yet an estimated 20% of adult dogs suffer from osteoarthritis,* an extremely painful condition that affects a dog's joints. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs and can affect pets of all ages. Yet all too often, its early signs go unrecognized - even by the most attentive owners.
You are the person who best knows your dogs normal behavior. Here are a few signs of joint pain that may be caused by the early onset of osteoarthritis (OA):
§ Stiffness
§ Slower to rise
§ Reduced movement or willingness to play
§ Reluctance to be touched in a certain area, or nipping when touched
§ Reduced appetite
§ Excessive licking or biting at an area of the body
§ Altered sleeping pattern
Discuss these signs with Doctor Esra and her staff, they can assess whether osteoarthritis (OA) is causing your dog's discomfort.
Why is pain management so important?
No one wants to see a pet suffer from osteoarthritis. But pain control isn’t just about being humane. Pain can be harmful to your dog’s health, lengthen healing time and even cause problems with internal organs. While there’s no cure for canine osteoarthritis, the pain can and should be managed.
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