Could Your Coton Be in Pain?

Did you know that millions of dogs experience pain silently? Unlike us, our Cotons (and all dogs) don’t always show pain in obvious ways. You might be surprised to learn that even the youngest, healthiest dogs can feel discomfort without us realizing it.

But here’s the good news: there are signs we can watch for to help us understand if our Cotons are hurting so we can get them the care they need..

I’ve been working with an alternative veterinarian from Australia to understand Lucy’s mobility issues better. Most of her local doctors lean on medications to address every symptom, which is okay for acute problems. However, I’m cautious about using meds for chronic issues due to potential side effects. With Lucy’s history of seizures, I’m especially hesitant to introduce new medications. So, I was curious to see what this new vet would recommend.

Dr. Edward taught me how to recognize when Lucy might be in pain. It was eye-opening to see how many of the subtle red flags she was exhibiting, both physically and emotionally.

I want to share this with you because it could make a huge difference in your Coton’s life. Even though I’m so in tune with Lucy’s moods and physical cues, I had no idea how much pain she was in. Many people, including some vets, may miss these signs simply because our dogs can’t tell us they’re in pain, and the signs aren’t always obvious—like limping or crying.

Signs your Coton is trying to tell you something

Here’s a quick overview of what I learned about identifying pain in your dog.

Why pain often goes unnoticed:

1. Pets don’t cry or complain most of the time like we do.
2. The signs can be vague or non-specific, like small symptoms masking large pain.
3. Many vets aren’t trained extensively in recognizing soft tissue pain.
4. Soft tissue problems are invisible to diagnostic tools like X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs.
5. People often think it’s “normal” for older pets to slow down.
6. Some dogs have high pain tolerance.

Red Flags for Physical Pain

1. Change in behavior (grumpiness, reactivity, disruptive behavior)
2. Reluctance to play and go for walks
3. Depression, lethargy
4. Excessive panting
5. Not being "themselves”
6. Stop jumping on furniture or the bed
7. Reluctance to be touched
8. Slow to get up or lie down
9. Body twitches when being touched
10. Warm or hot body
11. Changes in posture
12. Doesn’t shake their body vigorously anymore

What about emotional pain?

Emotions get stored in the energy systems in the body and dogs process anxiety in four main ways:

1. The fight - faces difficult things
2. The fear - runs away from difficult things
3. The freeze - shuts down, gets still and quiet
4. The fidget - super excited and doesn’t listen to commands (addicted to ball play)

Red Flags for Emotional Silent Pain

1. No off switch - they can’t sleep or relax, or always want to play
2. Triggered by sounds, other animals, people, etc.
3. Couch potato, lethargic
4. Increased reactivity
5. Difficulty learning
6. Poor behavior, destructive, non-responsive
7. Separation anxiety

These red flags grow over time if not resolved.

Next Steps

So, how many of these red flags did you spot in your Coton? Hopefully, the answer is none. But if you did notice some, it’s crucial to take action.

Knowing your dog is in pain is just the first step—then you need to help them feel better. Working with your vet to develop a pain management plan is essential, but be aware that they may primarily suggest pain medication, which can be more of a band-aid than a cure.

Consider exploring alternative veterinary care, such as holistic vets, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and even energy healers like Dr. Edward. Physical therapy clinics specializing in pain management can also offer relief. Lucy found some relief through hydrotherapy, laser therapy, and physical therapy.

You can learn more about Dr. Edward’s work by checking out his website here. I’m not affiliated with him in any way, I’m just so grateful for his help with Lucy.

Lucy Update

Lucy’s mobility is much better! She’s got her energy back and she’s even jumping on furniture again. I think the combination of reducing her seizure medication, adding CBD daily, and working with Dr. Edward has made a huge difference. I’m so grateful to see her tail wagging happily these days.

Now that Lucy’s more energetic, she needs both physical and mental stimulation to keep from getting bored. The physical part can be challenging in the extreme Florida heat, so we do early morning walks and indoor agility exercises.

For mental stimulation, she loves her interactive puzzles. I’ve got several to keep things interesting, but her current favorite is this slow feeder. She gets so excited when she sees me reach for the puzzle. I fill it with either small cut up raw veggies, or I love these freeze dried green beans (because it’s one healthy ingredient and super easy for me).

I just ordered this football puzzle to throw in the mix. Looks fun!

Coton Spotlight

Adorable Tallulah Belle celebrated 13 years. Say hi here.

As you can see, Gracie is very patriotic. Read why her adoring mom calls her a Diva

Percy’s ready to go! Say hi to this cute traveler

Have you ever seen the rare mink Coton? Check out beautiful Tessa.

In Loving Memory

Sadly, we have another goodbye this month. We wish Judy our best wishes as she navigates her grief over losing her beloved Coton, Billie. She will be missed.

Brag about your Coton!

I can’t wait to feature your Coton in our next newsletter. Brag about your dog here!

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