Pain in Dogs

Pain in our companions is something we all hope to avoid, but recognizing and managing it is an important part of keeping dogs comfortable and healthy. To better understand how pain management works, it helps to know a little about the pain pathway.

The Pain Pathway

Pain begins at the tissue level when damage or inflammation triggers nerves to send signals to the spinal cord. Inflammation lowers the threshold needed to trigger these signals, which means even small stimuli can feel painful.

Once the signals reach the spinal cord, they can be either dampened or amplified before being sent on to the brain. From there, the brain processes the information, and the dog becomes aware of the painful stimulus.

There are two main types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain resolves within normal healing time. Chronic pain, sometimes called maladaptive or persistent pain, lasts much longer. In chronic pain, the nerves in both the tissue and spinal cord can become sensitized. This makes them react more strongly, and sometimes even causes non-painful sensations to be experienced as pain.

Pain, especially chronic pain, is rarely consistent. It tends to wax and wane. Dogs living with chronic pain are often more sensitive, so they may feel more severe pain from the same stimulus compared to dogs without chronic pain. Poorly managed acute pain can also increase the risk of developing chronic pain later.

Recognizing Pain

Acute/ Severe Signs

• Vocalizing, crying

• Limping

• Snapping or aggression when touched

• Running away

• Restlessness

Subtle/ Chronic Signs

• Movement & Mobility: less willing to climb stairs, jump, or perform trained tasks; awkward transitions when lying down; loss of muscle.

• Posture: lowered head, neck or tail; changes in tail carriage.

• Facial Expressions: furrowed brow, drooping ears, “sad eyes,” tight lips.

• Conscious Reactions: snapping, whining, twitching, flinching, or withdrawal. Reduced activity or engagement.

• Change in appetite

• Change in sleeping habits or positions

One helpful way to spot these changes is by keeping videos or photos of your dog’s normal behavior. These can help you and your veterinarian notice differences that might otherwise be missed.

Pain Management

Managing pain well means looking at the whole picture. It’s not enough to treat only the sensation of pain itself. Effective care addresses the underlying disease causing the pain, the nervous system’s heightened sensitivity, and the compensatory changes like muscle tension, altered posture, or restricted movement.

Fortunately, there are many ways we can interrupt pain. At the tissue level, treatments such as steroids, anti-inflammatories, local nerve blocks, or non-traditional therapies like laser, massage, and rehabilitation can help. At the spinal cord, specific medications can reduce how much signals are amplified. At the brain, opioids and sedatives lessen awareness of pain, though they may also affect mood and behavior.