Dog Musculoskeletal Pain Recognition

Musculoskeletal pain in dogs is frequently unrecognised by owners and undertreated by veterinary professionals, causing significant unnecessary chronic suffering in the companion dog population.

Key Facts

An estimated 20% of dogs experience chronic pain at some point, with musculoskeletal causes predominating
Dogs evolved to mask pain as a survival strategy, making recognition dependent on subtle behavioural changes
Validated pain scales including the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index and CBPI support owner recognition
Common clinical signs include reduced activity, reluctance to exercise, altered gait, and behavioural change
Multimodal analgesia combining NSAIDs, gabapentinoids, and physiotherapy provides better pain management than monotherapy

Welfare Considerations

Chronic musculoskeletal pain in dogs causes a pervasive welfare deficit - every movement is painful, activity is reduced, and quality of life is diminished daily. The welfare impact is compounded by dogs' stoic nature and owner misattribution of pain signs to 'slowing down with age.' Validated pain assessment tools, accessible to owners through veterinary education, enable earlier recognition and treatment. Better pain recognition and management would improve welfare for millions of dogs.

What You Can Do

Learn to use validated pain questionnaires to assess your dog's pain levels regularly
Watch for subtle signs of pain including reluctance to exercise and behavioural change
Ask your vet about multimodal pain management options for musculoskeletal conditions
Advocate for routine pain assessment as part of all dog wellness examinations