Dog Pain Diagnostics | orthoVET Switzerland

Understanding pain
Cause | Nature | Role

Dog Pain Diagnostics in Switzerland: orthoVET’s Approach

The functional role of pain

At orthoVET, our dog pain diagnostics in Switzerland provide targeted relief for acute, chronic, and functional pain in dogs. Recognizing and addressing pain early is essential, as it serves a critical purpose: alerting the body to potential damage. In orthopaedics, pain can signal underlying issues like misalignments or overloads. Pain receptors in the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles detect such changes in movement or alignment, sending signals to the brain that can prompt corrective responses.

These symptoms can also be triggered by simple actions, e.g. when a dog makes a sudden turn that causes a shift in the shoulder structure. In this case, no damage is done, but the altered dynamics and alignment trigger signals to the brain via receptors, even if correction is not possible. Pain can also indicate a real physical dysfunction, such as tumours.

But why is there pain?

If you understand the purpose of pain, you can recognise three main reasons:

Functional tool: Pain is a tool that alerts the body to a problem and initiates possible corrective measures. For example, if a dog pulls a muscle, it can start to limp so that the injury can heal better.
Warning system: Pain serves as a warning system, signalling that urgent solutions need to be found when a problem arises. However, this warning is often ignored out of fear, insecurity and the instinct to hide vulnerabilities – in both humans and dogs.
Early diagnosis and rapid corrective therapy: Pain can help diagnose real physical disorders where vital cells are being destroyed, as in the case of tumours.

Three Types of Pain in Dogs and orthoVET Diagnostics

Why canine pain diagnostics are important for acute and chronic pain

Acute pain

Occurs immediately after an acute event, e.g. after an operation, injury or nerve inflammation, or in acute recurring pain conditions such as migraines. The duration and intensity of acute pain usually correlates with the severity of the event and the course of the underlying illness.

Chronic Pain

In human medicine, chronic pain is defined by a continuous duration of at least 6 months. In veterinary medicine, this time frame can be shorter, around 3-4 months.

Chronicised pain

Chronic pain is not only time-dependent, but also leads to successive somatic (physical), psychological and social impairments. It describes the consequences of prolonged suffering for all aspects of a person’s life.

Pain and its subjective character

Pain is a subjective experience that varies from person to person. The definition of pain as an “unpleasant sensory and emotional experience” emphasises its subjective nature. This also recognises the potential for actual or potential tissue damage and emphasises the interplay between the “sensory” and “emotional” aspects of pain perception.

Pain, even if it is only temporary for our ears, can cause systemic (organic) changes in the body. An example of this is a study on excessive noise exposure near airports, which indicates an increased cardiovascular and diabetes risk with prolonged exposure to noise-induced stress. This emphasises how external factors such as noise-induced pain can affect the health of the body.

In puppies and young dogs, growth and the relationship between genetics and environmental factors play a crucial role in conditions such as hip dysplasia. Proper orthopaedic care during growth is critical. Activities that lead to constant and repetitive trauma can result in misalignment of the shoulder and pelvic girdle, which can lead to symptoms such as limping, restricted movement and altered paw position.

The role of pain in the development of the dog

The growth phase is characterised by open growth plates and underdeveloped muscles, which is why it is important to pay attention to deviations. A well-monitored growth programme for puppies, such as the LupoMove® Puppy Program, can detect and correct misalignments and thus prevent the occurrence of pain and growth-related problems.

The pain pyramid

The pain pyramid is a conceptual model designed to help understand and categorize pain according to its severity and impact on an individual’s life. It consists of multiple levels, each representing a distinct degree of pain and its effects.

This framework emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to pain management. It acknowledges that effective treatment must consider not just the physical aspects of pain, but also the emotional and social factors influencing a person’s wellbeing. Successful pain management involves addressing underlying causes and enhancing overall quality of life.

Understanding the progression of orthopaedic pain

In the illustration we see a dog that initially masks its painful elbow and shows no visible lameness. However, over time, as the compensatory abilities diminish, a limp gradually appears. If this persists for more than six months, the pain becomes chronic and leads to a full-blown “chronified” condition.

Deciphering the term “chronic” in orthopaedics

“Chronic” refers mainly to the time frame, but “chronicised” extends to physical and psychological effects. This includes somatic symptoms, impaired psychological well-being, mood, cognition, behaviour and social interaction.

The role of functional orthopaedics

In cases such as tennis elbow, structural problems are often overlooked in conventional diagnostics. The problem lies in functionality, with changes in the range of motion of the joints causing irritation, pain and dysfunction of the limbs.

Comprehensive exam questions

Without thorough orthopaedic and neurological examinations and functional assessments through movement measurements, the problems evade diagnosis and prevent appropriate treatment.

The future of orthopaedics: functional orthopaedics with movement diagnostics

Functional orthopaedics and movement diagnostics are playing an increasingly important role in veterinary medicine and are improving diagnosis and treatment.

Uncovering the hidden depths of pain

The orthopaedic iceberg syndrome

Imagine an iceberg, only a fraction of which is visible above the surface of the water, while most of it remains hidden underneath. Now transfer this analogy to orthopaedics. We often only see the tip of the iceberg when we diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain. But what lies beneath and is not visible can have a profound impact on a patient’s well-being.

What is orthopaedic iceberg syndrome?

Orthopaedic iceberg syndrome challenges us to look beyond the obvious symptoms of orthopaedic conditions. Even if a patient presents with a limp, joint pain or discomfort, there is more to it than that. The body often compensates for the primary problem by changing movement patterns or shifting the load to unaffected areas. These compensations and subtle movement disorders are like the submerged part of the iceberg – hidden, but important to fully understand.

Why is this so important?

Treating only the visible symptoms can lead to incomplete diagnoses and treatments. This is why a kinematic assessment, which measures movement and uncovers hidden problems, is so important. By considering both the primary problem and its compensatory effects, healthcare professionals can develop more effective, customised treatment plans.

Long-term effects

Neglecting compensatory symptoms can have lasting consequences. Over time, these adjustments can lead to additional musculoskeletal problems or exacerbate the original condition. To achieve the best results, patient-centred care is paramount. Everyone responds differently to orthopaedic challenges, which highlights the need for personalised treatment approaches.

Reveal the whole picture

Orthopaedic iceberg syndrome teaches us to dig deeper, uncover hidden complexities and offer comprehensive treatment. In this way, we can improve the lives of those affected by orthopaedic pain and offer solutions that address not only what is visible, but also what lies beneath the surface.

The quadrant syndrome

Quadrant syndrome is a concept used in veterinary medicine to describe chronic pain processes, particularly in relation to orthopaedic problems in dogs. It emphasises the idea that chronic pain can lead to a cascade of problems in different areas of an animal’s life, similar to chronic pain in humans.

Here are the most important components of quadrant syndrome:

Somatic symptoms: These are the physical symptoms associated with chronic pain, such as limping, muscle wasting and joint stiffness. In the context of quadrant syndrome, somatic symptoms refer to the primary signs of pain and dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.
Psychological symptoms: Chronic pain can lead to changes in behaviour and mood in animals. For example, a dog suffering from chronic pain may become irritable, anxious or even aggressive. Understanding and treating these psychological symptoms is crucial for holistic care.
Social symptoms: Chronic pain can also affect a dog’s social interactions and relationships. Dogs suffering from pain may withdraw from social activities, show less interest in playing and may even engage less with their human companions. This social aspect of quadrant syndrome shows how important it is to consider the overall well-being of the animal.

Effective pain management

Effective pain treatment for dogs requires individualised, multimodal approaches. Factors such as pain perception and psychosocial aspects play a role in this. A comprehensive diagnostic method, such as movement and functional diagnostics, is invaluable for a precise assessment and customised therapy.

Conditions that benefit from specialised orthopaedic treatment and pain therapy include

Chronic skeletal diseases (e.g. arthritis, spondylolisthesis)
Rheumatic diseases (e.g. PCP, fibromyalgia)
Intervertebral disc diseases (e.g. prolapse, protrusions)
Chronic pain syndromes (e.g. back pain and headaches of various causes, cervical syndrome, migraines)
Neuralgia and neuropathic pain (e.g. trigeminal neuralgia, polyneuralgia)
Pain after accidents, operations or fractures
Phantom limb pain (pain after amputations)

Pain management for dogs is an increasingly important aspect of veterinary care, and a holistic approach that takes individual needs into account is essential. A thorough medical and orthopaedic diagnosis forms the basis for creating customised treatment plans that ensure the well-being of our four-legged companions.

Final considerations

Understanding the complexity of pain, its causes and its importance in the lives of dogs and humans is of paramount importance. Pain is a dynamic aspect of our existence that serves as a warning, a functional tool and a diagnostic aid. By understanding the multifaceted nature of pain and applying modern diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, we can improve the quality of life for our furry friends and ourselves. Expand your knowledge of dog pain diagnostics and therapy! In the webshop you will find suitable online courses and materials from orthoVET to help you treat your dog’s pain.

Understanding painCause | Nature | Role