Assessing the painscore in dogs
Observing any of these alterations in your dog could suggest pain, though it's not definitive. Consider this resource one among several to aid in identifying if your pet is in discomfort. Its use should complement a detailed veterinary examination and the pet's medical history.
Should you be concerned about your cat’s pain after using this tool, please contact our staff or your vet. We’re here to advise you on the proper actions to take, which might include euthanasia when deemed necessary. Often, there are ways to greatly enhance your cat’s comfort and quality of life.
How do I know if my dog is in pain?
Animals are incredibly good at hiding their pain and discomfort. In the wild, showing any signs of distress would be considered a weakness, and therefore it can be quite challenging to know if your pet is experiencing pain.
Dogs are very stoic and can hide pain well – often it is not until we trial pain relief and see their energy levels return and mobility improve that we realise how much pain was impacting their life.
To help you evaluate if your dog is in pain, you can use tools such as the BEAP scale, which is a pain-scoring tool that evaluates outward signs of pain.
The BEAP Scale Explains Pain Levels as Follows:
1 - 2
Mild Pain
3 - 4
Moderate Pain
5 - 6
Moderate to Severe Pain
7 - 8
Severe Pain
9 - 10
Extreme Pain
For each pain level, specific behaviors and physical symptoms are outlined, helping you identify your dog's pain level:
Consider the Following Categories
B: Breathing
E: Eyes
A: Ambulation (Movement)
A: Activity
A: Appetite
A: Attitude
P: Posture
P: Palpation (Reaction to Touch)
Each one of these behaviours will change as the pain intensifies. For example, in the top left corner of each box, you will see the letter ‘B‘ which stands for ‘Breathing’. If your dog is breathing normally, you will score this behaviour as ‘No Pain’. However, if your dog has a faster breathing rate with more noticeable effort or is often panting, you will score this behaviour as ‘Severe Pain’. Similarly, if your dog’s Posture is comfortable at rest and during play, then it is scored as ‘No Pain’, but if it prefers lying down or on its side, you will score this behaviour as ‘Moderate to Severe Pain’.
Whichever pain section most of your ‘ticks’ fit into, this is most likely the level of pain your dog is experiencing. It is important to note that you do not have to tick every box for your pet to fall into that section. Pain is also dynamic, meaning the severity, during, and impact can change throughout the day.
