How to recognise when your animal may need treatment

How do you recognise when your horse is sore?

Horses can’t talk to us the way we talk to each other so we must be aware of our horse’s behaviour when they are in pain. Many owners say that it is not until after the treatment that they realise just how sore their horse was. To assess if your horse is sore or needs treatment just ask yourself a few questions:

• Does your horse have a poor top line no matter how you feed or exercise him?
• Is your horse cold backed?
• Does your horse walk stiffly or unevenly?
• Does he have trouble taking a lead at the canter?
• Does he have trouble flexing one way?
• Does your horse buck?
• Is your horse girthy? Does he bite, become restless or hold his breath while saddling?
• Does he sweat in unusual patches when not working?
• Does he not sweat enough, or end up puffing after exercise?
• Is his recovery time prolonged even after mild exercise?
• Does he stand hunched or tucked up?
• Has he become difficult to catch?
• Is his coat dry and burnt off for no apparent reason?
• Has your horse started refusing jumps?
• Does your horse have trouble collecting?

If you have answered yes to any of these your horse may be in pain and benefit greatly from treatment.

How do you recognise when your dog is sore?

Dogs also have their own way of communicating that is often overlooked or misinterpreted by their owners. We must be aware of our dogs’ behaviour and any changes to that behaviour that occur over time. Often owners tell me their dog is limping but in the next sentence declare that it is not in pain. Animals do not limp for no reason. The lame dog is most likely in pain and walks with a limp to take the weight off the sore area (not necessarily a leg).

The other, less common, reason for a dog to limp is that they physically cannot move in a symmetrical manner. For example, a large lipoma under a dog’s chest may physically prevent his front leg from swinging forward freely, but not be painful. However, usually those physical limitations are associated with a pathology that will also cause some pain. A restricted joint physically impairs free movement of the area but is often painful in and around the joint when asked to move.

Many owners comment about how, after a treatment, the dog takes up his old ‘puppy behaviour’ such as barking at the postman. They had originally interpreted his decreased activity as maturing rather than pain. To assess if your dog is sore or needs treatment just ask yourself a few questions:

• Has your dog become reluctant to jump up into the car or over fences?
• Does your dog have a hairless lesion on a limb that it licks excessively (lick granuloma) and won’t heal?
• Has your dog stopped chasing the stick, ball or postman?
• Is he sensitive to you patting his back end?
• Has he been diagnosed with arthritis?
• Does he walk stiffly or with a pacing gait?
• Is your dog developing a broad chest and a narrow, weak back end?
• Does he prefer to eat and drink with the bowl raised off the ground?
• Has your dog become grumpy with family members and other pets?
• Does he knuckle over in the back feet or wear his nails excessively due to dragging his feet?
• Does he stand hunched or tucked up?

If you have answered yes to any of these your dog may be in pain and benefit greatly from treatment.

How do you recognise when your cat is sore?

Cats have their own way of communicating - in an understated way. Cat owners should look out for subtle changes in behaviour and mood.

Primarily practicing in Rockhampton and its surrounds, Heidi has a weekly run south to Calliope/Gladstone and a fortnightly run out west to Blackwater, Emerald and Dysart.

She travels further out from the Rockhampton region when requested, providing there are enough patients for at least a day or two of work.

Every 6-8 weeks she heads south to her clients in and around Canberra and the Southern Highlands.

For appointments and enquiries, please call Dr. Heidi Douglas on

0428 660 971

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