A Story of a Dog Who Showed No Pain
- Katarina Anne Žumbar, dr.med.vet, CVA,CVFT,CFT,CTP,CHT,CPLC
- Mar 27
- 6 min read
I have a senior dog. How to recognize pain?
Old Age isn't loud and flashy like an influencer in need of attention. Old Age comes slowly. Silently. Step by step. One day you notice more greys on their head. They still get excited about daily walks, but those walks tend to last longer. Maybe you will even hear that treacherous sound of one paw "scratching" the pavement with the nail. Also, the house becomes more quiet. Because that little grey head sleeps more. You don't play as much, but they ask for more touch, petting. Calmness, silence and love.
Maybe you also get Facebook memories which surprise you: "Wow, it has been a year already. So much has changed!" Then you take a look at your furry little shadow (GSDs are known as velcro dogs) and notice that the whole face has changed. Eyes are cloudy. Hearing is not what it used to be.
The first time I put a blanket over my old man it was a true realisation that he really is a senior dog (we would say "nonić", coming from Italian "nonno (grandfather)".
From an active dog whose mission in life was to visit and dive into every available body of water ( muddy puddles being in top 3) regardless of season, weather or temperature and whose greatest joy was to frolick around in snow for hours to needing and being happy with the warm, soft purple blanket over his hind end. We used to be " cold tiles and don't cover me with anything" team, and our sniffari adventures in the rain were legendary. Mostly because one part (he) enjoyed them immensely (perfect combo: water+mud+stronger scents) and the other one (me) tagged along because I really had no other choice!
At that moment, a memory appeared. It made me laugh. I refuse to see Old Age as something bad or sad. It is a nomal part of life and we can help them to have a happy and pain free time with good quality of life. And they give us all the beautiful moments and everlasting memories.
That memory was Ares, 2 years ago when we got our last snow of the season. After few days of burrowing in the snow, it began to melt. What was left was one small frozen hill in the shadowy part of the yard. Of course, that is where I found my boy. Sitting on the top of that hill like a mother hen and savouring the last hours of his ice kingdom!
He also taught us a lesson: Enjoy the moment because time flies!
Old Age has brought me something else... Dog Who Shows No Pain. Ares was never the one to bark and complain. He was silent observer and ready to leap in action without further ado or loud bang. Gold medal winner for his patience and perfection. in his old age he took a vow of silence and decided to keep his ailments to himself. My dear friend, dr. Darija, once said: "You do know he would do anything for you?"
Yes, I do know that. I know that that is the essence of a German shepherd- loyal to a fault, true, patient, velcro dogs that never cease to play and ask for affection. But does he know that his vow of silence and bravery are just making it harder for me?
In my line of work, especially physiotherapy and rehabilitation, Old Age is a regular patient. And our main goal is to manage the pain and make sure we give them good QOL (Quality of Life). But how to achieve that if you don't know where it hurts?
Two weeks ago I thought his urine had a stronger smell and took the sample for urine analysis. Apart from decreased urine density, no signs of inflammation. Blood work did not reveal any inflammation.
Then his condition starts to detoriate. Nothing specific. I lift him up, he keeps quiet. Is reluctant to walk, keeps falling down, doesn't want to get up to go outside to do hi business. Started urinating on his vet bed (not incontinent). Stopped eating his homemade meals. I offered everything, from cat food, kibble, wet food, raw food. Shows little interest.
He is protected from vectore born diseases with Effitix (which has been our number one choice for over a decade!). We don't socialise with other dogs. Stool is ok. No elevated body temperature. And yet, he is completely dull and seems like he has given up.
When he is miserable, so am I!
Of course I talk with animals, out voices have an amazing effect. So I asked him to show me where it hurts. He didn't break his vow of silence and I started to think that maybe it is time to help him cross the Rainbow bridge. The least I could do for such a perfect and patient dog is to not let him suffer because I'm having a hard time letting go. It is awful enough when you are an owner. But being a vet as well, I always feel there should be something more I could do...besides, just a couple of days earlier I had to let go of my sweet old 14 yo girl. How hard it is going to be to see both of my dogs leave. Also, that would be the first time in over 2 decades that the house would be free of dog hair and sound of paws on tiles...
Acupuncture suits him. I use "choice points" to let him choose whether it is time to peacefully go over the Rainbow or to stay here with me. Using class 4 laser to support kidneys (in Traditional Chinese Medicine Kidney is the source of life).
Browsing my patient card with notes on him and it hits me- it could be cystitis! The only sign is urination (one big puddle each time he urinates) and nothing else. No blood, no strining, no dripping. No signs it hurts when I palpate abdomen. Well, I need to do something so we started the therapy.
Next day he is back to his old self and eating raw beef steak like there is no tomorrow, asking for cuddles and play time, letting me know we need to go out to do his business and walking much, much better!
I can't shake the thought: How much it had to hurt when I was lifting him up or palpating the abdomen?! And not a "peep" out of him!
It is said that the best thing is when it does not hurt. True.
But it is not good when it hurts and they are so brave that they do not show it. Usually, small white dogs have no problems letting us know where it hurts. Staffies are brave soldiers and I had a dog with osteosarcoma who had a pathological fracture while taking his daily walk. He limped back home without much fuss! GSDs are know to make fuss as a prevention (when they are not sure what is going to happen), but when the real deal is on the table they soldier through patiently and quietly!
I wish he understood my plea to show me where it hurts. Until we do understand each other, all I can do is what I do best..use my knowledge and experties to provide him with best treatments I can think of: acupuncture, NIR, TENS, laser therapy, massage and add a secret ingredient- LOVE. So much LOVE!
In the next post I will go back to my usual professional blogging when I share with you the real signs on how to recognize pain, even when they take vows of silence!
Until then, please share your stories on how the Old Age came into your lives and what do your pets have to say about being old...
Link to this post will be shared on my social media as well. Read, like, share and comment- I want to hear your stories! #knowledgeispower
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About the equipment I use (recommendations):
1. Vet bed (dry bed), 30 mm thick. Special bedding with antislip bottom which makes sure you pet is never laying on wet surfaces beacuse the urine/water just goes through it. It also makes a soft and warm bedding which prevents pressure sores. Easy to wash (40-90 C in washing machine), dries fast and is my sincere recommendation for old dogs, sick dogs, incontinent dogs or dogs that spend a lot of the time in cage or a car! For Croatian and Slovenian market check pet shop Njuškavci.
Hurtta Monsoon raincoat: wonderful, lightweight, easy to wash and impermeable to rain. Check their website: Hurtta.com!
Reusable pee pads, if in Croatia check:pet shop Njuškavci.
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