Bella and Chi’s owners knew something wasn’t quite right. Although their dogs were showing signs of discomfort, the cause was not immediately clear. Despite their dedication to improving their wellbeing, it took time to recognise that chronic pain was playing a significant role in the changes they were seeing.
Bella: from growls to cuddles
Bella, a white Bearded Collie cross adopted from the council, was born around September 2012. She spent most of her life as an active, ball-obsessed dog. About three to four years ago, her family noticed she was slowing down. Then, over the last year or two, her personality seemed to change too. She began giving a low growl whenever people or the other dogs in the house got too close.
Her family put it down to age. It turned out to be pain.
Since starting the right pain medication with Dr Yasmine at VSA Auckland West, in Henderson, Bella is herself again. She still enjoys the slower pace of an older dog, shorter walks and plenty of naps, but she’s back to cuddling and playing with toys, even rolling over the family board game mid-play just to get a pat. Her family describes the change as incredible, and they’re grateful for the care and attention she’s received.
The signs of chronic pain in dogs and cats can be subtle. Owners frequently describe their pets are being more irritable, refusing to be touched, slowing down, or simply not being themselves. Changes in behaviour can appear gradually over time and are often dismissed as the pet “just getting old”. However, these changes may be signs of discomfort says Dr Yasmine.
“At the VSA Pain Clinic, each pet is carefully assessed to find the source of pain and underlying cause so a tailored plan can be developed. Our goal is to help pets feel more comfortable and enjoy a better quality of life.
If your pet’s behaviour or mobility has changed, don’t assume it’s simply old age. Recognising signs of pain is the first step towards helping them.” Dr Yasmine Messiaen, Registered Specialist Small Animal Surgery.
Chi: a rough start, a remarkable recovery
Chi, a brindle Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross Dachshund adopted from the Henderson Animal Shelter, was born around January 2014. Her unusual body shape, a Dachshund’s length combined with a Staffy’s solid build, has always been hard on her spine. At around four years old, she was paralysed from the neck down. She made a remarkable recovery after hyperbaric chamber treatment, learning to walk again, and even developed a range of different barks to communicate during that time, a habit she still has today.
Despite everything, Chi has always been a friendly, sociable dog who stops to greet everyone she meets. Working with Dr Yasmine, her family has come to realise that Chi has likely been dealing with some level of pain or discomfort for most of her life. With the right medication now in place, she’s able to jump on and off the couch again and even join the school run on foot, with a stroller on standby for when she gets tired.
The common thread
For both pets, the biggest change has been the same: they are more themselves, calmer, less reactive, and more able to enjoy everyday life.
“Bella and Chi are both such a big part of our family and they were quietly living with pain before we realised. Now that they’re on the right medication, they’re calmer, happier and so much more themselves. Dr Yasmine is so great with the dogs and explaining the process to us and where we can expect to see improvement. We wish we’d known about the pain clinic sooner, but we’re so grateful we found our way there.” Pri, Bella and Chi’s pet mum and owner.
Bella and Chi’s stories are a good reminder that behaviour changes in senior or long-term unwell pets, like withdrawal, irritability, or reduced activity, aren’t always just “getting older.” They can be signs of manageable pain.
About our pain management clinic
VSA’s Pain Management Clinic was started by Dr Yasmine Messiaen to give pets with chronic pain access to specialist assessment and a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs. The clinic takes a comprehensive approach, combining advanced clinical expertise with genuine care for both the pet and their family.
