Our four-legged best friends dote on our every move and provide the best company with a happy face and waggy tail, but what happens at times of pain and/or injury?

It is a common problem among our canine friends to cope with pain and alter routines and behavioural patterns in order to mask discomfort. More often than not we find dogs have been labelled as “old” or “stubborn” when in fact our pets are struggling with pain and issues that affect their day to day goings.

Common reported problems owners report include:

·         No longer wanting to get in the car or go up stairs

·         Refusing to walk or lying down at certain points on walks

·         Spending longer sniffing or distracting themselves

·         Changing habits to do something differently, e.g. lying down to eat

·         Stiffness on rising from rest

·         Licking joints or sighing more at rest

·         New phobias and uncharacteristic behaviour

·         Muscle imbalance and weakness

·         Walking/ running in a different style, including limping.