Companion Animals

Chronic Pain Recognition in Dogs

Chronic pain in dogs is frequently underdiagnosed because dogs do not always display obvious pain behaviours, requiring active assessment.

Key Facts

Osteoarthritis affects up to 80% of dogs over 8 years of age
Dogs in chronic pain may show increased sleep, reduced play, and social withdrawal rather than vocalising
The Helsinki Chronic Pain Index provides a validated owner questionnaire for chronic pain assessment
NSAIDs are the mainstay of chronic pain management but require monitoring for side effects
Multimodal pain management including physiotherapy and environmental modification improves outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Chronic pain in dogs causes significant and often prolonged suffering that is frequently missed because dogs adapt their behaviour to reduce pain expression. Subtle changes in activity level, social behaviour, and demeanour are the most reliable indicators of chronic pain in stoic dogs. Proactive assessment using validated tools, combined with appropriate multimodal treatment, significantly improves welfare in painful dogs.

What You Can Do

Complete a validated chronic pain questionnaire for your dog annually as it ages
Monitor subtle behaviour changes that may indicate chronic pain
Discuss proactive pain screening with your vet at health checks
Consider physiotherapy and environmental modification alongside medication for chronic pain
Advocate for chronic pain awareness and management training in veterinary education