Chronic pain in dogs — from osteoarthritis, cancer, nerve damage, and other conditions — is highly prevalent and undertreated. Multimodal pain management significantly improves quality of life.
Chronic pain is the silent welfare crisis of companion animal medicine. Millions of dogs live with osteoarthritis pain that their owners mistake for "slowing down with age" — a normal process rather than a treatable condition. Dogs who are painful reduce activity to manage their pain, which owners often perceive as the dog being calmer or "enjoying rest." The behavioral signs of chronic pain — difficulty rising, reluctance to use stairs, reduced enthusiasm for walks — are often recognized only in retrospect, after treatment reveals the degree of functional impairment that existed. Proactive pain assessment at every senior veterinary visit is among the most impactful welfare interventions.