Many pet owners assume that slowing down is simply part of getting older. We hear things like, “He’s getting gray, so he doesn’t want to play anymore,” or “She just isn’t as active as she used to be.”
But in many cases, that change isn’t age itself—it’s pain.
Dogs are incredibly good at hiding discomfort. Many continue wagging their tails and acting happy while quietly living with arthritis, joint disease, neck pain, or back pain.
The challenge is that pain in dogs often looks different than people expect.
Common signs to watch for include:
• Difficulty getting up after lying down
• Reluctance to jump into the car or onto furniture
• Slower on stairs or avoiding them entirely
• Limping or stiffness, especially after rest
• Hesitating before walks
• Sleeping more than usual
• Lagging behind on walks
• Sitting crooked or changing positions frequently
• Slipping on hardwood floors
• Muscle loss in the back legs
• Trembling, yelping, or sensitivity when touched
• Personality changes or irritability
• Not wanting to play like they used to
Back pain may be even more subtle. Dogs can lower their head, arch their back, avoid turning certain directions, refuse to jump, or simply seem “different” without an obvious limp.
One of the most common things we hear from owners is:
"I had no idea my dog was hurting."
Then treatment begins and suddenly owners say:
"He acts like a puppy again."
"She's carrying toys around the house."
"He's greeting us at the door again."
Pets showing signs of arthritis, back pain, or mobility changes can benefit from evaluation by a veterinarian with advanced training in pain management, such as a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP), who specializes in recognizing and treating pain that often goes unnoticed. Because every pet and every condition is different, treatment is often customized and may include:
Pain Management
Targeted medications and multimodal approaches designed to reduce pain while improving comfort and daily function.
Physical Rehabilitation Therapy
Exercises, stretching, strengthening, and movement-based therapies designed to rebuild muscle, improve mobility, and support healing.
Underwater Treadmill Therapy
Water buoyancy decreases pressure on painful joints while allowing pets to safely exercise, strengthen muscles, and improve endurance.
Acupuncture
Small needles stimulate nerves and natural pain-relieving pathways within the body and may help reduce pain and inflammation.
Laser Therapy
Therapeutic laser uses light energy to stimulate cells, increase circulation, decrease inflammation, and help reduce pain while supporting tissue healing.
Shockwave Therapy
Focused acoustic waves help stimulate healing and blood flow in injured tissues and can be beneficial for chronic arthritis, tendon injuries, and musculoskeletal pain.
Regenerative Medicine
Treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other biologic therapies use the body's own healing components to support repair and reduce inflammation.
Ozone Therapy
Medical ozone therapy may be used as part of a treatment plan to support oxygen utilization, circulation, and tissue health while helping reduce inflammation.
Individualized Mobility and Home Plans
Simple adjustments at home—including exercise changes, flooring recommendations, weight management, and mobility support—can make a tremendous difference.
Our goal is not simply to mask pain. Our goal is to improve comfort, restore function, and improve quality of life.
Many owners discover that what they thought was “normal aging” was actually chronic discomfort their pet had simply learned to live with.
Pain isn't just aging.
If your pet hurts, we can help.
Advanced Care Veterinary Services
Carrollton, Texas
972-394-6422
stoppetpain.com