What are the different types of pain in dogs?

The most common types of pain can be categorized as acute, chronic, cancer, and neuropathic. Acute pain is the normal, predictable, noticeable response to an undesirable stimulus or tissue injury. Acute pain generally improves within the first 3 days after the event that caused it but can last through the time of healing. Chronic pain persists for longer than the expected time frame for healing, or it can be associated with progressive noncancerous disease, such as osteoarthritis. Cancer pain may have components of both acute pain and chronic pain. Neuropathic pain results from damage to a nerve or some other part of the central nervous system.

Vet Darren Partridge explains that acute pain is sudden and severe, typically resulting from an injury, surgery, or illness; it is often sharp and intense. Neuropathic pain arises from damage to the nervous system and can be difficult to pinpoint – humans would probably describe it in themselves as burning or tingling. Visceral pain is related to internal organs and is often harder to detect. Chronic pain is long-lasting and persists over time, often due to conditions like arthritis, dental issues, or chronic illness. Acute pain, neuropathic pain, and visceral pain are types of pain that can be identified by distinct signs in pets. Acute pain: Whining or barking more than usual, limping or favouring one leg, restlessness or difficulty settling down, avoidance of movement or play. Neuropathic pain: Unexplained twitching or muscle spasms, sensitivity to touch – even light pressure, difficulty walking or coordination problems, vocalisation in response to touch. Visceral pain: Vomiting or diarrhoea, restlessness or pacing, changes in appetite or drinking habits, abdominal tenderness or swelling. Chronic pain: Stiffness or difficulty getting up, reluctance to climb stairs or jump, behavioural changes such as irritability or aggression, changes in sleeping patterns or excessive sleeping.

There are four common pet pain types. Acute pain is a recent, noticeable response to something that happens suddenly, such as a cut paw during a run at the park or burned whiskers from a curious nose investigating a sizzling steak. Chronic pain is typically a dull, ongoing pain. Cancer pain can be acute and chronic. Neuropathic pain can occur from an injury or disease that affects a pet’s nerves or nerve function within the spinal cord. Acute pain is often sharp, throbbing, or aching and usually improves within three days after the traumatic event or surgery. Chronic pain does not serve a protective purpose, unlike acute pain. Osteoarthritis, or joint disease, is a common source of chronic pain for pets and more than 20% of dogs are affected. A primary bone tumor is the most common pain-causing cancer, but any type of tumor can be associated with pain. Neuropathic pain is often chronic and associated with mobility problems, similar to pets who have osteoarthritis.

What are the typical signs of pain in dogs. General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctance to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite. On touch or inspection: Licking lips, flinching, turning head, moving to avoid touch, crying or vocally reacting, panting, increase in respiratory or heart rate, warmth of area, redness of area, swelling of area. It’s important to consider that often only a few of these behaviours are seen when an animal is in pain, and whilst they may be noticeable in an acutely painful condition, in more progressive or chronically painful conditions, these behaviours may be much subtler. You can monitor your pet to see: Do certain behaviours become common after exercise? Are behaviours more pronounced in the morning or evening? Are you more likely to see these behaviours after a longer walk at the weekend rather than a shorter one during the week? The type of pain How long it has been present (chronicity) Any other health issues your dog may have.

Acute pain in dogs is sudden pain that usually lasts for a short period of time – acute pain usually improves within a few days. Chronic pain in dogs is ongoing pain that can affect your dog's day to day activities. Acute pain can be caused by an injury such as a cut or bruise, or by an illness. Chronic pain can be caused by conditions such as arthritis and dental issues. As dogs get older, they are more likely to be affected by chronic pain.