Helping Your Dog that is in Pain

Seeing your canine companion in pain is one of the worst feelings imaginable as a pet parent. Not only does pain hurt, but it also causes your pup stress, which only works to make their pain even worse. Here are some options to consider to help your canine companion relieve so of their pain and distress. 

Common Medications to Treat Pain in Dogs

Before we even mention these medications, it’s important to note that these should be run by your dog’s veterinarian first and foremost. At the end of the day, they are the expert on animals and your pup’s health. So, always check with your canine’s vet before administering any medication. Here are some of the most common medications to consult Fido’s vet about that can help with your pup’s pain.

• Ketoprofen – is a medication used to treat acute pain in canines but is typically not prescribed for more than 5 days at a time.
• Meloxicam – is an NSAID approved for use in dogs and doesn’t typically cause gastrointestinal problems as many other NSAIDS do. Vets will typically administer Meloxicam at a higher dose for the initial use, but once the pain is controlled, they typically reduce it to the lowest effective dose possible. 
• Phenylbutazone – was one of the first NSAIDs to be approved for canine use by the FDA but is also often used to treat pain in horses. This drug is typically considered pretty safe, but vets still try to prescribe it in the smallest doses possible to help limit any potential side effects.
• Ibuprofen – occasionally, vets will recommend this for dogs that are dealing with mild to moderate pain. However, Ibuprofen is not an ideal medication for dogs and has several drawbacks in potential side effects. In fact, Ibuprofen is NOT FDA-approved for canine use, and many experts recommend avoiding it whenever possible. 
• Aspirin – this medication is not recommended for long-term use in dogs due to the potential side effects it can cause. Although Aspirin is an NSAID that is typically used to treat pain associated with musculoskeletal issues or osteoarthritis. 
• Acetaminophen – this is another common over-the-counter pain medicine that vets will sometimes recommend for pain in dogs. 
• Opioids – vets won’t resort to these unless a dog is under extreme pain, and they should only be administered under close vet supervision. 
• Corticosteroids – these can help to halt the body’s inflammatory response, which can help alleviate pain typically associated with allergies, arthritis, or skin disorders. 
• Gabapentin – this medication is rarely taken alone and instead used with Opioids or NSAIDs to enhance those drugs’ effects. Although, Gabapentin has started to show results of successfully treating long-term mild to moderate pain.
• CBD – also known as Cannabidiol, CBD has become increasingly popular among people and dogs alike in recent years. There isn’t much research on the use of CBD in dogs, but the studies that have been done have shown safe results. 

Natural Pain-Relief for Fido

Medicine isn’t the only way to treat your canine companion’s pain. There are also a variety of other techniques that can help your furry friend feel better. Here are a few:

• Physical Therapy – depending on the pain your pup is experiencing, m the physical therapy recommended for Fido will vary. But in general, physical therapy will consist of a variety of stretches and exercises to help resolve mechanical problems that your pup is facing. 
• Hydrotherapy – this type of therapy is pretty much just physical therapy, except it takes place in a pool. During hydrotherapy, the therapist will have your pooch enter the pool and go through various stretches, mobility-increasing movements, and other exercises. This can help significantly in treating muscle, tendon, and joint pains. 

At Home Remedies 

While at-home remedies won’t always give your pup the relief they need, they can work for some causes of pain. Here are some to consider:

• Massages – giving your pup massages can do more for reducing their pain than you might realize. They can help in treating sore or tight muscles and can be given at home or by a specialist. 
• Increasing or Decreasing Exercise – Sometimes, a lack of exercise can be causing your pooch pain. Through an increase in exercise, you could actually help improve your canine’s over wellbeing and decrease their level of pain. But there are times when your pooch might be experiencing too many high-impact activities that are causing their joints to suffer. If you think that too little or too much exercise is causing your pup problems, you should consult Fido’s vet about it. 
• Get an Orthopedic Dog Bed – no matter the type of pain your pup is experiencing, an orthopedic bed can help them get better sleep, and rest is an excellent factor in healing your body. Additionally, orthopedic beds can help with spinal problems, arthritis, and hip dysplasia.
• Get a Heated Dog Bed – a nice warm surface can help improve your canine’s blood flow and reduce mile to moderate musculoskeletal pain. 

If your pooch is in pain, your first move should be to call your pup’s vet. All of these tips can help aid in your pup’s recovery and give you a better idea of their treatment. Still, it should never be used as a replacement for what Fido’s vet recommends.