Chronic pain can take a serious toll on a dog's quality of life. While manageable, chronic pain conditions can be difficult to diagnose. Here, our Columbia veterinarians discuss chronic pain conditions in dogs, their symptoms, and how you can help your pup manage their pain.
What is Chronic Pain in Dogs?
While most dogs owners want to take the best care of their furry companions they can, there are some conditions that we cannot prevent. When a dog suffers from chronic pain, you will notice changes in their behavior and movement. It is vital to get your pooch diagnosed so treatments and pain relief measures can be taken.
How to Know if Your Dog Suffers From Chronic Pain
If you are concerned that your canine companion may be suffering from chronic pain then you will want to note any signs and symptoms that you see and bring them in for a full examination in order to rule out any other possible causes.
Your vet may utilize the following pain assessment methods in order to diagnose your dog's condition:
- Veterinary examination
- Physiologic biomarkers
- Objective measurements of gait and movement
- Multifactorial clinical measurement instruments
- Owner assessment of activities of daily living (ADL)
The Causes of Chronic Pain in Dogs
When dogs experience chronic pain the most common cause is Osteoarthritis affecting approximately 40% of dogs. Some of the contributing factors for osteoarthritis include hereditary and other congenital factors which can affect dogs of all ages and breeds.
Laser Therapy to Treat Chronic Pain in Dogs
Veterinary laser therapy is a fairly new method of treatment for symptoms related to various disorders and is most commonly used to help manage pain, inflammation, and wound healing for your pet.
Therapeutic lasers use light waves of a specific wavelength to alter the physiology of the affected tissues. The light emitted by these lasers throughout treatment will help to stimulate the cells within the tissues and allows for faster cellular regeneration.
Speak to your vet if you would like to learn more about how your dog may benefit from veterinary laser therapy.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.