You would think that a dog (or cat) which is crying or screams when touched would be in pain, and you’d be correct, but that is far too late and treatment should have been started earlier than that.
The earlier signs are the animal is less interested in doing things it used to do. Doesn’t walk as much, doesn’t play as much, doesn’t interact as much. They still generally try to get up and do what they need to do to live, but they don’t move any extra because it hurts. They are also typically stiffer and slower to do so, because they’re really thinking about whether that movement it worth it.
Think of humans with arthritis shuffling around the supermarket. They need to get their food, and they are in pain, but they don’t scream or cry with every step. They just move slower, more carefully, compared to someone with no pain that moves easily and carefree.
We will also see muscle loss associated with the affected joint, but this may be difficult to appreciate unless you know what you’re looking for, especially if the arthritis is symmetrical.
Because arthritis is chronic pain that sets in gradually, I will often talk to clients about doing a 2 weeks anti-inflammatory trial, if appropriate for their pet. Sometimes the best way to be sure the pet was in pain is to give them pain relief, and see how their behavior changes. If the pet is happier, more mobile and more active on pain relief… then it was in pain! And I do this a lot because a lot of people aren’t really convinced on those subtle signs, but they can see the behavior change for themselves.
My knee clicks when I go up stairs, but doesn’t hurt. My kneecap is loose and its sliding wrong has rubbed the cartilage rough, and it can be surprisingly loud. Just feels a bit odd. I don’t know if clicking with arthritis automatically means it’s bad enough to be painful, though.
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