My senior dog has cancer and whines. How do I know if he's in pain?

This is a difficult question to answer, but generally a dog in discomfort will stop eating, become lethargic or may whine/pant excessively even at rest. Since the frequency of the seizures has increased, have Bandit examined by your veterinarian. There are medications that can be given to control them. Begin a Seizure Log. Note the time and duration of each seizure as well as information such as diet and activity before and after. This may help your vet pinpoint causes.

This can be a very difficult decision, especially with stoic (or stubborn) dogs. As long as he is eating, drinking and behaving normally otherwise, he may be fine. Signs of pain or discomfort include lethargy, loss of appetite, panting, drooling, lameness or walking "hunched". Whining is typically the last thing dogs do when in pain. If you haven't already, discuss palliative care with your veterinarian. Keep track of Chopper's "good" days and "bad" days. When the bad days outnumber the good ones, it may be time. I am sorry you are facing this decision. It is always one of the most difficult decisions for a pet parent and a veterinary professional to make.

I'm sorry to hear that Bandit seems painful. Unfortunately, without seeing a veterinarian, you're very limited in what can be done for him at home since we don't know what's causing the pain, and there are no over-the-counter pain medications that are safe to use in dogs. So keeping him quiet and restricting exercise (short-leash walks to potty only, no running or jumping) is really the only thing you can do for him at home. If this has been going on for more than a day or two, I'm afraid I really would recommend taking Bandit to the vet for an exam. He may need x-rays to help determine what's wrong with his hip, and your veterinarian can prescribe safe and effective pain medication to help make him more comfortable.

If Taxx is refusing to eat, that could definitely be a sign of pain and discomfort. Unless you are planning on force-feeding him and syringing him water, he will absolutely continue to waste away. In terms of keeping him comfortable, I would just be sure that if he is wobbly and trying to walk, be there to support his weight in case he is falls. There are medications available to stimulate the appetite, and other meds potentially to make him less nauseous if he is experiencing any. I would take him in for an exam first to see what your veterinarian has to say, Unfortunately, this sounds to me like a situation or illness, that is advanced. If your vet concurs that he isn't eating due to discomfort, you may be faced with the choice that no pet owner ever wants to consider. There are pain medications but I don't usually recommend them in a situation like this. I try to ask people to consider if their dog still is able to do some / any of the activities he once enjoyed. If the answer is no, then this an indication there is a total absence of quality of life. Anyway, ultimately my advise is to have him looked at to see if your vet considers some of the types of meds I mentioned as viable options. Hope this all makes sense.

I'm so sorry Blue has cancer! Signs of pain in dogs include a reluctant to move, decrease in appetite, lethargy, and whining. Should you see any of those signs, I would give her the pain medication as directed by your vet.

I'm so sorry that Brownie has cancer! Depending on where her lump is, it can cause pain as she places pressure on it. If there is any bleeding or discharge from her lump, that can be painful as well. You can discuss your concerns with your vet, who can prescribe pain medication for Brownie to make her more comfortable. I hope this helps!

pacing, crying when touched, hiding, panting are all signs of pretty severe pain. You need to take Willie to your vet for an exam, x-rays, and possibly blood tests to find out why he is in so much pain. Your vet can then assess the condition and prescribe relevant medication to make him feel better, such as pain medicine.