The Aussie Magazine Autumn 2020

What a Pain
One thing every Aussie owner knows is that our dogs are tough
and resilient. Probably the legacy of the genes in the dogs that
founded the breed a couple of hundred years ago. But many
owners have been shocked that a seemingly healthy and fit dog
is suffering a level of pain. The dogs seem to manage it and
accept it and many only start to show symptoms when they are
seriously unwell. Owners tell that by the @me they knew and
took their dog to the Vets it was really a bit too late. Looks not
so good for us as owners and we feel guilty that we missed any
signs. The problem lies in the fact we cannot communicate with
our dogs very easily. We say things like ’”I would never
purposely do anything to hurt you!" and "We are only going
on holiday for a few days. I promise we aren't abandoning
you." More importantly from a health point of view, we wish
they could communicate in the same language as ourselves
to lets us know if something is wrong. However, they can use
body language to give us a hint and although some@mes in
Aussies it is a very small and not always obvious sign. It is
there and we must react. ‘The Aussie’ looks into some of the
obvious signs that all is not well with your dog.
1. They're limping.
This is one sign you obviously won't miss. Now we all
know that an Aussie becomes quickly incapacitated if a
Jny leaf a2aches to their leg. However, If your dog
suddenly starts limping, there could be a variety of things
at play, from leg pain to an issue with the pad on their
foot. It could be a lump of mud dried or a stone in
between their pads, or even a damaged nail. In the
summer, it could be a grass seed and these are seriously
dangerous things to manage. If it’s an acute pain, like a
cut, or a broken bone or maybe a cruciate ligament injury,
as very extreme examples, and need emergency care. If
there are no obvious signs and the limping conJnues then
the vets is the next step to check the cause and, in many
cases, ease your mind. It could be a simple strain or
maybe the Aussie having a more serious underlying issue
and the limp s just the Jp of the iceberg.
Another common issue that can cause limping in dogs is
osteoarthriJs. While this is a chronic, progressive, and
irreversible disease and mostly seen in the older dogs.
When a disease like osteoarthriJs is diagnosed early,
providing comfort through pain medicaJons may mean
lower doses of the medicines are needed than if
diagnosed at a later stage.
2. They are whimpering or making other sounds (more
than usual).
It’s hearing a loud yelp out of nowhere, or maybe a series
of whimpers. Perhaps you suddenly touch their ear and
they make a noise. Other dogs will simply become more
vocal than usual. Just like some will visibly or audibly react
to only the slightest discomfort, while others will not react
unJl they are experiencing severe pain. Regular grooming
of your dog and touching it will highlight any obvious
issues. Then you need to look at the cause. Maybe it’s a
knot of hair, perhaps a small, sharp twig caught in the coat
or perhaps a scab or fresh cut where they have hurt
themselves or a walk. But it could be an ear infecJon that
will need some medicaJon, or something that needs more
invesJgaJon. As an owner, you look for the obvious and if
the problem area sJll seems to be troubling your dog and
this may not be making a sound. They may demonstrate
some of the other signs featured in this arJcle, then you
need to get an expert opinion.
3. They hesitate when jumping out of the car, or on
furniture.
If your dog, who is typically quick to hop in and out of
your vehicle or jump onto the couch for a snuggle,
suddenly pauses or refuses to do so, they may be in pain.
This is also true if your dog has started taking a longer
Jme to get up ader sihng or laying down. These are
things that we oden say are due to dogs gehng older, but
they’re actually due to pain. In other words, don't chalk
these behavioural changes as inevitable aging issues.
There may be things that can be offered to make it more
comfortable to move around, or equally invesJgate if
there is another cause. SomeJmes they are not jumping
as their eyesight is affected by old age cataracts. So pain
may not be the only issue.