Page 24 - Summer 2024

HEALTH

Is it pain or is it just behaviour? So why is that – that’s what adrenaline
Sadly, many of the dogs that come to BTRF does, its excellent at masking pain.
are surrendered because their behaviour This was a classic presentation when Percy
has become unmanageable, and the homes Picklepants first came to us. He was in so
just can’t cope. In these situations, if much pain that his behaviour was mistaken
appropriate, we will try to support the for him just being an out of control
home and recommend a reputable, ‘teenager’. In the early days when we were
qualified behaviourist who can assess the trying to get his pain under control he was
dogs and help and advise to enable the dog ‘full on’ but once we understood what he
to stay in the home. was going through and got his pain meds on
Where this is not possible or appropriate board he quickly began to settle.
and the dog is surrendered to us, the first Of course, lots of dogs are unfortunately
thing we do is a full assessment, both nervous / stressed at the vet and because of
behaviourally and medically. the adrenaline rush this produces they

In so many of our cases the dogs are found often don’t present with pain in the clinic –
to be in discomfort or pain - most the adrenaline masks it. In these cases, it is
frequently Beddies in our care come to us always helpful for the vet to see videos
with undiagnosed musculoskeletal issues, taken when the dog is in a normal setting at
gut health or ear and skin issues due to home or out on their walks.
their allergies.
So, the bottom line is, if you notice even the
So how do we, as dog guardians, recognise slightest behaviour change contact a
pain or discomfort in our dogs – surely it reputable fully qualified behaviourist,
would be obvious? They would be limping preferably one that is qualified in
or sick or scratching ears / skin. But this is understanding canine posture and
not necessarily the case. Discomfort or pain movement, always speak to your vet about
in dogs can go unnoticed for weeks, months your concerns, do your videos to show
and sometimes years. them ahead of the appointment and don’t
By the time the dog is showing health issues be afraid to discuss a simple pain trial. We
visually they are often in quite a lot of pain need to advocate for our dogs if we feel all
or feel pretty unwell. Most of us would say is not well.
we know our dogs well enough to know if Just putting it down to behaviour and trying
they are in pain – but would we? to address the behaviour itself will not get

Sometimes the very first sign of pain is a to the root of the problem – no amount of
behaviour change and this can often be so behaviour modification will work if a dog is
subtle that we may not notice it, or it creeps uncomfortable or in pain – this must be
up on us or appears to be quite sudden. addressed first as soon as possible so that
Pain and discomfort can often be masked by the behaviour doesn’t also become learned
adrenaline, one of the stress hormones. as a way to help them feel better – and
This is released when a dog is excited or that’s a whole other matter - perhaps for a
anxious and often, we don’t think our dogs future article!!
could possibly be in pain because they are
always doing zoomies round the garden or Kaye Scott
out on their walks. BTRF Volunteer Training & Behaviour
Advisor

info@bedlingtonrescue.co.uk www.bedlingtonrescue.co.uk