“If a dog shows signs of pain, it is experiencing significant distress.”
Yoon Byeong Guk, director of Cheongdam Woori Animal Hospital, warned that even if dogs have joint conditions like patellar luxation or cruciate ligament rupture, they may appear to live normally. He cautioned that there is a risk that owners may overlook the pain their pets are feeling.
According to Cheongdam Woori Animal Hospital, intermittent limping or leg lifting in dogs may indicate severe pain.
Yoon explained, “Owners may mistakenly believe their pet isn’t experiencing much pain if it limps on its hind legs but later walks normally. However, upon physical examination, it becomes clear that most of these dogs are in pain.”
When a dog experiences pain from patellar luxation, it causes tension in its thigh muscles and increases muscle tone, ultimately disrupting its overall body balance.
He noted, “Even in cases of grade 2 patellar luxation, many dogs experience back pain,” pointing out that discomfort in the back muscles can potentially lead to disc issues. Effective pain management strategies such as laser therapy and acupuncture are recommended.
Arthritis is notably prevalent in dogs, with an incidence rate as high as 20%. This highlights the possibility that even seemingly healthy dogs may be affected by arthritis.
Even without limping or leg-lifting, signs to watch for in dogs include licking the knee or ankle area, nibbling at their paw with their front teeth, reduced walking time, or suddenly sitting during walks, which could indicate arthritis.
Director Yoon advised, “Dogs may not always show pain as visibly as we expect, so if owners notice even subtle signs, it likely means they are experiencing significant discomfort.” He stressed, “Regular health check-ups and joint examinations are crucial for managing pain and ensuring dogs do not suffer unnecessarily.”