Because We Care

Ben’s tale

From time to time, we are presented with dogs that do not behave as their owners would like; this might be a destructive puppy, or a noisy dog, or a dog that has developed a phobia to loud noises (or even a phobia to vets!). But sometimes the unwanted behaviour can be potentially more serious, in particular aggression. This might be something that has been present from a young age, or might develop due to the “hormones of maturity” usually between approximately twelve and eighteen months of age. But occasionally a dog with little or no history of aggression will change, either gradually or suddenly, and this is a worrying and upsetting problem for an owner to deal with: the friendly pet who becomes sensitive and may even bite.

Ben is a ten years-old male West Highland Terrier, and has been owned since a puppy by Mr and Mrs M. Although occasionally temperamental with Mr M., it was a gradual change over a period of weeks and months to more and more aggression, culminating in Mr M. twice being bitten. Feeling rather upset by this, Mrs M asked for advice when presenting Ben for his yearly booster vaccination. Because of Ben’s change in temperament, it was difficult to examine him in any depth, and he particularly resented examination around his head. It was also noted that Ben was rather more lethargic than before.

At this point it was indicated to Mrs M. that approximately 50 per cent of dogs with aggression-type behavioural problems will improve through the simple step of supplying pain-killers, and, bearing in mind Ben’s reaction to an attempted physical examination, it was decided to put this theory to the test. A two-week course of pain-killers was provided, with a re-assessment at the end of the course.

Two weeks later duly arrived, and in walked Ben with a very happy Mrs M. There had been a fairly rapid improvement in Ben’s behaviour, and, as an additional bonus, Ben had become a lot more lively, was eating better, and would now jump in and out of the car, which he had stopped doing prior to treatment. He now permitted a much more thorough examination, although still resented excessive manipulation around his neck. With regard to Ben’s behaviour towards Mr M., Ben was more amenable, and would still growl occasionally, but had shown no outright aggression at all.  

The next step is to identify the source of the pain that has affected Ben’s temperament – and temper -  and the neck seems most likely as that source. X rays and possibly other tests would be helpful, but the current end-result is happy owners and a much happier Ben!

How do I know if my pet is in pain?