Health

Chronic pain, as the term implies, is pain that persists for a long time. What differentiates chronic pain from acute pain is usually the interval of time occurring since its onset. In dogs with acute pain, the onset is sudden, and generally doesn’t last too long as long as the underlying cause is addressed and healing is allowed to take place. In dogs with chronic pain though, the pain generally has been going on for quite some time and it tends to last beyond the time frame one would expect for healing to occur. When it comes to pain, dogs are often perceived as quite stoic beings, but they may be suffering from chronic pain in silence. It’s up to us owners recognizing the most subtle signs of pain and intervening in a timely matter. Dr. Michael Petty offers many tips on managing pain in dogs in his recent book.

Vague Symptoms of Chronic Pain

Acute pain in dogs is often readily recognized by dog owners. Affected dogs will often acutely yelp or whimper, they’ll hold up a leg, keep their body hunched or they may they hide in a corner, tucked away from other pets and household members. These abrupt changes in body postures, vocalizations and behavior changes are often enough for dog owners to take notice and take their dog to vet. Chronic pain, on the other hand, presents itself more vaguely as the dog often learns to adjusts to it.

The affected dog is less likely to vocalize, the dog becomes gradually withdrawn, perhaps showing less interest in walks and other forms of social interactions. These subtle, gradual changes make recognizing signs of chronic pain in dogs more challenging for both caregivers and vets, explains veterinarian and pain management specialist Dr. Michael Petty, in the book “Dr. Petty’s Pain Relief for Dogs: The Complete Medical and Integrative Guide to Treating Pain.”

A Survival Mechanism

Why are the signs of chronic pain so vague in dogs? There are several theories. Despite the fact that dogs are fed in shiny bowls, sleep on plush pillows and wear collars studded with rhinestones, they still retain instincts that date back to the times when they lived in the wild. In our previous article, “Can dogs sniff out cancer? we discussed how dogs may be naturally drawn to smells that indicate disease, as in their evolutionary past as hunters or scavengers, they may have associated it with an easy meal.

Despite the fact that a dog’s ancestors depended on hunting prey animals, they certainly didn’t want to become a meal themselves to other animals much bigger than them. So when they felt pain or were debilitated by disease, they tried their best to keep carrying on and even hide it the best they could as they became aware of their vulnerability. Our domesticated dogs still carry these self-preservation instincts so they don’t end up being an easy target, and these instincts become stronger in the presence of strangers, and ironically, that often includes the family vet, the very person who’s trying to help them out, remarks Dr. Petty.

A Matter of Adrenaline

When working for the vet, we often encountered dogs who acted as if they weren’t in any pain at all. The owners were often puzzled. They would say:” That’s odd, at home he acts totally different, maybe he’s starting to get better already.” Even for euthanasia appointments, cat and dog owners sometimes got second thoughts as their pets suddenly appeared more lively than they were in their past days. We were trained by our vets to give these owners a possible answer for their dogs’ and cats’ sudden remarkable “recoveries,” we would therefore tell them it was likely a matter of “the adrenaline rush associated with going to the vet.”

“Your pet may still be in a good amount of pain but the adrenaline rush of going ‘for a ride in the car’ or the fear of ‘seeing the doctor’ tend to overwhelm the pain sensation. Once he gets home Toby is likely going to revert to being a ‘tripod’ again.”Patapsco Valley Veterinary Hospital

No Pain Scale

Things are quite easy in the pain department when it comes to humans. “Ouch, ahhhhh.. that hurts!” We can easily communicate not only where it hurts, but even how much. Doctors often rely on pain scales to grasp the idea of our levels of pain. Veterinarians may try to evaluate pain via pain scales by asking owners questions, but determining how well an individual dog is coping with it may be a challenge. One phrase we used to hear a lot at the vet when we were recording the dog’s symptoms on the chart was: “My dog is just limping, but I am sure it doesn’t hurt him because I never heard him crying.” This is a common anthropomorphic view that has caused many delayed vet appointment and unnecessary suffering to the dog. Dogs don’t limp on a whim or just because it’s fun to do so. If a dog is limping it means it hurts to move the leg a certain way or bear weight on it. It warrants a vet examination because dog unlike humans, don’t manifest pain vocally like we do.

Special Social Needs

Something else to consider are dogs’ strong social needs which makes them particularly eager to be with us. Ever wondered why achy dogs are still eager to follow us on a walk or car ride? This stems from a dog’s strong social attachment with us that again may come from their evolutionary past. In the old days, our dog’s ancestors lived in packs and depended on each other. If one member became sick or injured, it negatively affected the rest of the pack, possibly by slowing things down or attracting predators. Sadly, it wasn’t unusual for these sick and injured members to be left behind.

Still as of today, while dogs may not view their family as pack, we can’t deny that our dogs have a strong desire to follow us and be with us. They depend on us for food, shelter, protection and guidance and one of their biggest fear is rejection and isolation. Even old and sick dogs are very social creatures who want to be with their families, explains Dr. Petty. Their social needs may therefore override any pain they feel. A willingness to go on walks or car rides, shouldn’t therefore be interpreted as a possible indicator that a dog isn’t suffering from pain.

“Wild dogs depended on the abilities of the whole canine family to help with hunting and pack defense – a disabled member was a liability to all.” ~Pat Miller

Course of Action

It’s important for dog owners to recognize subtle signs of pain in their dogs so that they can provide their dogs with appropriate veterinary care. There are sadly still several misconceptions out there suggesting that dogs or certain types of dogs do not feel pain in the same way we do. “All dogs, regardless of breed label, experience pain. How each dog responds to that pain will vary, but the response cannot be predicted by physical appearance or breed'” warns the Animal Farm Foundation website.

As humans, we are used to seeing pain from “our perspective” relying on our anthropomorphic models of pain such as vocalizations. Dr. Petty lists some signs of pain in dogs on the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management website. The list can be found here: 15 signs of pain  If you notice any of these signs or other evident or more subtle signs of pain in dog, see your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

• Dr. Michael Petty, “Dr. Petty’s Pain Relief for Dogs: The Complete Medical and Integrative Guide to Treating Pain.” Countryman Press; 1 edition (February 1, 2016)
• Animal Farm Foundation Inc., For the Dogs It’s All Pain, No Gain, retrieved from the Web on February 7th, 2016.
• International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management,  Dr. Petty’s Pain Relief for Dogs. A Complete Medical and Integrative Approach, retrieved from the Web on February 7th, 2016.
• Psychology Today, Do Dogs Feel Pain the Same Way that Humans Do? by Stanley Coren, retrieved from the Web on February 7th, 2016.
• Dog Cancer Blog, How to Know If Your Dog Is In Pain, by Dog Cancer Vet Team, retrieved from the Web on February 7th, 2016.

Did you know that rock salt and ice melts can cause dry, cracked paws in dogs? It’s January, and with winter in full swing, many towns and cities are now coated with a blanket of snow. For many dogs this means romping around in winter wonderland, surely a fun activity, until those poor paws start developing unsightly and painful cracks. Why is that? Today we went on a journey to discover the effect ice melt has on dog paws and how it plays a role in causing dry, cracked paws along with other adverse effects in dogs.

The Use of Rock Salt

Rock salt is a type of salt, to be more precise, it’s sodium chloride. Also known as halite, rock salt is often employed for the purpose of melting ice. Fresh water normally freezes at 32 degrees, but if you put rock salt on ice, it lowers its freezing point, causing the ice to melt. This is why according to New England Acquarium, the ocean, which is made of salted water, is unlikely to freeze other than in very cold places, whereas ponds and lakes freeze more readily.

The process of lowering the freezing point by adding a solute (salt) to a solvent (ice) is known as freezing point depression. While rock salt is effective in melting ice, it might not work too well when it’s very cold. In some cases, magnesium chloride pellets and calcium chloride pellets are further added to rock salt or brine to make the salt more effective in melting ice at lower temperatures. Often, these products are generically called “ice melts.”

Major Corrosive Effects

“It’s estimated that more than 22 million tons of salt are scattered on the roads of the U.S. annually—that’s about 137 pounds of salt for every American” claims Joseph Stromberg, a science reporter in an article for Smithsonian.com. After the salt though does its job of melting the ice, it doesn’t just disappear from the face of earth, and this can be a big problem. While salt is ultimately a natural ingredient, what’s not natural is its concentration, remarks Richard Hanneman, President of the Salt Institute, based in Alexandria, Va. Salt is corrosive, it can easily cause vehicle parts to rust, and the metal in steel bridges, bridge decks, parking garages, lampposts and statues in proximity to roads and highways are also at risk, according to Corrosion Doctors.  Not to mention, its deleterious effects to certain types of aquatic life.

Back to Rover’s Paws

If rock salt is so corrosive as to damage metal parts, it’s not difficult to imagine the effect it can have on a dog’s paws. Repeated exposure with rock salt will dry the dog’s skin and cause local irritation and cracked paws, according to Blue Pearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital. To protect your dog’s paws from drying and cracking due to exposure to ice melts, the ASPCA suggests some winter tips:

• Avoid walking your dog over salted areas.
• Carefully inspect the paws after walking the dog.
• Wash paws with warm water after outdoor play and walks.
• After washing, apply a layer of Vaseline to soothe irritated feet.
• Vaseline can be applied as well on dog paws prior to walking and playing as a protective measure, suggests veterinarian Dr. Andrew Jones.
• Trim the hair growing between the dog’s toes (you may want to ask a groomer to do this as it requires your dog to stay very still).
• Look for safer de-icing products.
• Invest in some dog boots.
• Don’t let your dog lick his paws and discourage the ingestion of snow or ice treated with ice melt. Also, prevent lapping up water from puddles of melted snow. Rock salt can be harmful when ingested (as explained below)!

More Than Just Paw Damage!

Think that rock salt may only damage your dog’s paws? Think again. The effects of rock salt and ice melts on dogs can be far more worrisome than thought. Many dogs tend to lick their paws after playing in the snow. Some dogs like to clean their feet this way or they may lick them as a response to feeling their paws irritated. Many dogs like the taste of salt, so they’ll lick them even more. Many dogs indirectly ingest rock salt from eating snow or licking puddles of melted snow. The ingestion of rock salt though can cause considerable harm.

Mild ingestion of sodium chloride may cause a dog some vomiting and diarrhea, but larger doses may trigger central nervous system signs, dehydration, increased heart rate, increased breathing , increased body temperature and even death, explains Caley Chambers, a Veterinary Candidate with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and extern at Pet Poison Helpline. Potassium chloride can cause gastrointestinal irritation even with hemorrhagic vomiting or diarrhea, magnesium chloride can cause gastrointestinal upset, while calcium salts can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Even urea based ice melts, which are often considered the safest around pets, aren’t harmless. These can lead to salivation and mild gastrointestinal irritation, but ingestion of large amounts can cause weakness, tremors, and higher than normal level of methemoglobin in the blood.

It’s surprising Saturday and today we thought it’s quite surprising that a food as innocent as peanut butter can be potentially harmful to our dogs. Truth is, not all peanut butter is created equal and there are certain types of peanut butter which can actually be very bad for dogs. Most dogs love peanut butter and many dog owners love to give peanut butter to their dogs as a tasty treat. Whether you use peanut butter to stuff your dog’s Kong, help your dog take his medication or you simply have to let your dog lick some off your spoon after eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to start checking those labels before feeding peanut butter to Rover again next time.

A Dangerous Ingredient

As more and more people are trending towards health conscious choices, we see more and more products crafted to match this trend. There are many companies that have chosen to make sugar-less products for those folks trying to lose weight or make healthier choices, but just because products are being crafted with these people in mind, doesn’t mean that these products are suitable for dogs. In DVM360’s  article on the Biggest News of 2015, the news that certain types of peanut butter aren’t considered safe for our dogs has been warranted a prime position.

The main problem with some brands of peanut butter is not the fact that they are sugar free per se, but the fact that they use the ingredient xylitol. While xylitol’s low glycemic index makes it appealing for humans, in dogs, this sugar alcohol is known for causing dangerous conditions such as hypoglycemia and hepatic necrosis.

Brands known for using xylitol so far include Nuts ‘n More, Krush Nutrition, and P-28 Foods, but more brands may be using this harmful ingredient already, and more so in the near future, so it’s always best to practice caution and always read labels, recommends veterinarian Dr. Ahna Brutlag.

Signs to Watch For

What symptoms does xylitol toxicity cause in dogs? According to the Pet Poison Helpline, symptoms suggesting a dog may have ingested toxic amount of xylitol include the following:

• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Black, tarry stools
• Jaundice
• Tremoring
• Seizures
• Collapse
• Coma
• Death

Anybody suspecting their dog may have ingested a product containing xylitol should contact their veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 at once (a $49 per incident fee applies, so have your credit card ready). Time is of the essence considering that ingestion of as little as > 0.1 gram/kg can potentially cause a life-threatening episode of low blood sugar within 10-15 minutes, explains the Pet Poison Helpline. Larger doses may trigger acute liver necrosis and liver failure. Xylitol isn’t restricted to peanut butter. It can also be found nowadays in several other products such as chewing gum, mint, pudding, gelatin, candy, snacks and toothpaste.

Other Health Concerns

Are peanuts safe for dogs? While peanuts are not considered toxic to dogs, they aren’t totally safe either. Here are some issues with giving peanuts and peanut-related products to dogs. One issue is the fat content of peanuts, so peanut butter can be become troublesome in dogs prone to developing pancreatitis, a serious condition known for causing persistent vomiting that generally requires extended hospital stays, warns veterinarian Dr. Rachele Baker.

Peanut butter should also be used with caution in dogs with heart conditions due to its salt content. Those who use peanut butter to give heart medications to their dogs should look for peanut butter labeled as “no salt added” suggests the Nestlé Purina Pet Care Company. Finally, another issue to consider is the amount of calories in peanut butter. If you are trying to get Rover to shed some pounds, consider that just 1 tablespoon of peanut butter has the same amount of calories as 3 cups of air-popped popcorn without butter, according to an article by Today’s Veterinary Practice. 

Can dogs lose their sense of smell? Many dog owners may find it surprising that dogs can become “scent blind” and lose their sense of smell. Perhaps this fact is quite surprising because we mostly hear about dogs who become blind or deaf, but rarely about dogs who lose their sense of smell. Because we think of dogs (especially scent hounds) as “noses on four legs” we would imagine the negative impact losing such an important sense would have on dog lives! In most cases though, it appears that dogs lose their sense of smell only partially, making it sometimes difficult for dog owners to take note of such changes. A decline in a dog’s sense of smell most likely would show up as alterations in appetite and food preferences, according to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

A for Anosmia

The medical term for a dog, other animal or human losing his sense of smell is “anosmia.” The term may be used to depict an animal or human who is unable to perceive odor or whose sense of olfaction is no longer functioning. The loss or decrease in sense of smell may be either temporary or permanent. Fortunately, in dogs, in most cases, the loss of smell is only temporary, it’s rare for it to be permanent, explains  Dr. Pete a veterinarian with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Part of Aging

Just like people, dogs undergo several changes as they reach their golden years. Along with reduced activity levels, loss of muscle mass, hearing loss and decreased visual acuity, dogs may also undergo changes in the way they smell and taste food, explains veterinarian Melody Foess Raasch. These latter changes can reduce an older dog’s interest in food which can lead to weight loss. Let’s remember that “a dog’s ability to “taste” food resides in her nose” explains veterinarian Randy Kidd in an article for the Whole Dog Journal.  Increasing the palatability of foods for older pets might be something to consider, consult with your vet or veterinary nutritionist for advice.

Respiratory Tract Problems

Just as people temporary lose a bit their ability to smell when they get a cold, dogs can also be susceptible to a decreased ability to smell due to upper respiratory problems. The most common causes for loss of smell in dogs include, infections of the nasal passages, blockages of the nasal passages either due to an irritation or presence of mucus, and less likely, polyps or tumors of the dog’s nasal passages that reduce airflow, explains Critical Care Vet,  a Board Certified Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care.

Injuries to the Head

When dogs sustain some form of head trauma, their ability to smell may deteriorate because a specific part of the brain controls their sense of smell. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual an injury to the dog’s cerebrum can cause an impairment to the dog’s ability to see and smell along with other neurological complications such as seizures, coma, circling behaviors, and their inability to recognize their owners. Any injuries to a dog’s olfactory nerve, one of the dog’s 12 cranial nerves traveling from the nasal cavity to the brain, can also lead to loss of smell, according to Wikivet. The good news though it that this nerve, has shown the remarkable ability to regenerate when damaged.

Other Possible Causes

Dogs affected by distemper, a serious viral disease, may develop alterations in their sense of smell. In a study conducted by Myers LJ, Hanrahan LA, Swango LJ et al, a loss of smell was found in 5 or 6 dogs who recovered from a case of acute distemper 10 to 26 weeks earlier. If a dog inhales something toxic or caustic, this could scar the mucous membranes of the nose and lead to a loss of smell, adds Critical Care Vet. Brain cancer can also trigger a loss of the sense of smell according to Vet Arena.

Did you know? The sense of smell is one of the first senses puppies are equipped with at birth, along with the sense of touch and taste, the latter though requires still a few weeks to sharpen and completely mature, explains Stanley Coren, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, in article for Psychology Today.

Disclaimer: this article and any other articles on this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your dog appears sick, in pain or is not acting as his usual self, contact your veterinarian immediately. By reading this article you automatically accept this disclaimer.