Would You Know if Your Dog was in Pain?

Who handles pain better, a man or a woman? Actually it might be their dog. Would you know if your pet was in pain?

A recent study found that over 8 million dogs suffer from the chronic pain of degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis. But how do you know if your dog is in pain? Just as with people, the signs of arthritis can vary tremendously. The early symptoms can be as subtle as getting out of bed more slowly in the morning. Not eagerly going on walks, or difficulty climbing stairs. As the disease advances, the signs worsen. Your pet may whimper when rising, or even try to bite when the painful area is touched. Medications are now available that bring relief from the pain of this progressive diesase4. Some ofd the medications are even chewable, making the polling process more enjoyable for the pet as well as the owner.

Besides medication, you can help your pet by controlling its weight, providing moderate exercise, offering soft bedding and routinely visiting your veterinarian.