24/09/2025
๏ผท๏ฝ
๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ
๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ ๏ฝ๏ฝ
๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ๏ฝ
๏ฝ๏ฝ ๐พ๐๐
Recent conversations with owners and their dogs, has prompted me to do this post titled.
๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐
๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ฟ-๐๐๐?
We all do not want our dogs in pain, nor do we want to exacerbate pain unnecessarily. But lets have a conversation about x-rays, joint dysfunction and pain - what do we know from the research and can we or anyone make blanket statements such as "your dog is in a lot of pain" based on an x-ray.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ด๐ ๐๐
๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป โ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ซ-๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐๐
Pain in dogs is a complex and highly individual experience ( just as it is in us) . While radiographs (X-rays) can reveal structural changes such as joint degeneration, they donโt always correlate directly with the amount of pain an individual dog feels. Some dogs with significant arthritic changes on imaging may show little outward discomfort, while others with relatively minor radiographic findings can appear profoundly lame or reluctant to move.
This variability comes from several factors:
๐Pain perception is individual โ just as in people, dogs have different thresholds and ways of processing pain. Genetics, prior experiences, and temperament all influence how strongly pain is perceived and expressed. Recent research in 2024 and 2025 have found dogs with similar radiographic OA may differ markedly in how sensitive they are to stimuli, reflecting that pain perception is not determined purely by structural damage. In a 2024 study involving a retrospective review of >500 dogs it showed that some dogs with MRIโevidence of spinal pathology had no clinical signs of pain, and conversely some dogs with apparent pain had no clear MRI lesions. ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ก๐๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ: ๐๐ข๐๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ค๐ง๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ฉ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ค๐ฃโ๐ฉ ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ก๐ฎ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ค๐ง๐ฉ๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ค๐ง ๐ค๐๐จ๐๐ง๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ค๐ช๐ง.
๐Nerves and inflammation matter more than โwear and tearโ alone โ joint degeneration on an X-ray doesnโt capture the dynamic processes of inflammation, nerve sensitization, or soft tissue strain that contribute to pain. Resarch has confirmed that arthritis is not just cartilage wear: molecular derangements, proโinflammatory signalling (cytokines, chemokines), nerve growth factor (NGF), etc. contribute to the pain experience in dogs.
๐Compensation and adaptation โ dogs often compensate by shifting weight, adjusting posture, or reducing certain activities - just as we do. These strategies may mask potential underlying pain until the system becomes overwhelmed.
๐Behavioral expression โ unlike humans, dogs canโt verbalize their pain. Subtle signsโchanges in movement, reluctance to jump, restlessness, or altered interactionโmay tell us more about the dogโs actual experience than the imaging itself.... but this is not the whole picture. Just watching a dog move, and noticing irregularities does not mean ( on an absolute scale) that the dog is experiencing pain when they are moving that way-it may be the best way for them at that given time, to redeuce the experience of pain.
Because of the above, assessing how, when and the potential degree of pain in our dogs requires a holistic approach: integrating clinical signs, mobility assessments, behavioral observation, and caregiver reports of how the dog does activities at home, alongside diagnostic imaging. The X-ray is one piece of the puzzle, but not the final word on how much pain a dog is actually living with.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ค๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ - โ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐กโ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐
1. Look Beyond the X-Ray
Remember: X-rays show structure, not pain. Ask your vet how your dogโs behaviour and mobility match (or donโt match) the images. Donโt assume โsevere arthritis on X-ray = severe pain,โ or the reverse.
2. Watch for Subtle Signs of Discomfort. Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or get in the car. Stiffness after rest or exercise. Changes in posture (arching back, shifting weight). Decreased playfulness or social interaction. Restlessness, difficulty settling, or changes in sleep.
3. Recognise That Pain Thresholds Differ. Dogs, like people, vary in how strongly they show pain. A stoic dog may hide discomfort, while a sensitive dog may react more strongly to mild pain. Donโt compare your dog to someone elseโsโeach experience is unique.
4. Understand the Role of Inflammation and Nerves. Pain isnโt just โwear and tear.โ Inflammation inside the joint and changes in nerve sensitivity play a major role. Flare-ups can occur even if the joint looks the same on X-ray. Ask your professional therapist and/or vet about options that target inflammation and nerve-related pain (not just cartilage wear).
5. Track Daily Function, Not Just Lameness. Can your dog get up from lying down easily? Is exercise tolerance shrinking? Are walks shorter or slower than they used to be? Does your dog avoid certain activities they once enjoyed?
6. Keep a Pain Diary. Note patterns: good days vs. bad days, triggers (cold weather, long walks), response to rest or medication. Bring this diary to therapist/ vet visitsโit gives a fuller picture than a single clinical exam.
7. Advocate for a Multi-Modal Approach. Ask about combining strategies: Medication (anti-inflammatories, nerve-targeting drugs). Herbal, nutraceutical , homeopathic approaches ; Diet modifications. Weight management. Physical therapy or hydrotherapy. Environmental adaptations (ramps, non-slip flooring, raised bowls).
8. Trust What You See๐ง You know your dog best.
Empowerment message ....
โYour dogโs comfort isnโt defined by an image. By observing behaviour, tracking daily function, and communicating openly with your vet, therapist, bodyworker , you become the best advocate for your dogโs wellbeing.โ
