CEUs: PPAB 1.5, IAABC 1.5, KPA 1.5

Pain in dogs affects more than their physical side. It affects their well-being, quality of life, interactions with people and other animals, and may lead to behavior problems. For all these reasons it is paramount to identify signs of pain.

This webinar focuses both on obvious signs of pain and the very subtle ones that can easily go unnoticed or may be masked as a behavior problem. Highly motivated dogs, for example, are "masters of disguise". Vulnerable dogs in multi-dog households may hide pain as a means of self-protection. Reactivity and aggression are easily exacerbated by pain.

By becoming aware of the many ways pain can be manifested and recognized, dog professionals who strive to improve canine well-being will be better prepared to bring the same awareness to dog owners.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the importance of recognizing signs of pain.
• Become acquainted with factors that hinder pain assessment (communication barrier; adaptation and masking of pain; chronic pain can be insidious).
• Understand how dogs manifest pain through: Behavior changes; Physical signs; Vocalizations; Changes in activity level and mobility (for example, adopting different urination postures); Neurological signs; Physiological signs.

About Your Presenter

      

Catarina Santos

Catarina Santos is a physical therapist licensed by Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Portugal. She is also a canine rehabilitation therapist certified by Formaterapia and mentored by Canadian animal physical therapist Laurie Edge-Hughes, and Dutch animal physical therapist May Römer-Bartels.

She has contributed with a chapter on special care for the book "How to Leash Train Your Dog and Enjoy Walking Him".

Catarina works from her private practice in Lisbon, Portugal, where she lives. She also presents seminars and webinars related to canine exercise and sports, rehabilitation, well-being and health in Portugal and Brazil.