Pain Relief for Dogs

What will you do, if you develop pain? You may either pop in some pain killer, or else, consult the doctor and get it treated. But, what if the same happens to your pet dog. The poor animal cannot communicate and so will suffer silently. It is the pet owner, who has to sense the trouble of the dog and get the condition of the animal treated. There are various methods that can be adopted to achieve pain relief for dogs.

More about Pain in Dogs

A dog in pain can be quiet and unresponsive, but, some dogs may also get restless and irritable. The animal may howl, whine or whimper and may sometimes get aggressive and bite too. He/she may avoid food and may have trouble in sleeping. Some of the dogs are found to lick a particular body part, when they experience pain. They may also rest with their ears flattened over the head. The most common causes for pain in dogs are injuries to muscles, bruises and lacerations, infections, dog arthritis, cancer and bone disease. Even surgical procedures and other medical conditions can be a cause of pain in dogs. While, some of these (like injury and infections) can be classified as acute pain, others like, dog cancer, arthritis and bone disease are considered as causes of chronic pain in dogs. Whatever may be the cause, it is always better to consult the vet and get your pet treated for the pain and the underlying cause. There are various methods to achieve pain relief for dogs.

Pain Relief for Canines

Once you notice symptoms of pain in your dog, you must take it to the vet, who will conduct relevant tests and start treatment. As pain management can positively affect the healing process, it is very important to control the pain and provide relief. Pain relief for dogs include various measures like prescription medication, over the counter medicine, alternative therapies and herbal remedies.

• One of the most important factor regarding canine pain relief is that you should never administer pain killers meant for humans, to these pets. Some of these medicines may even prove toxic for these animals.
• You must also refrain from giving any type of painkillers for dogs, without consulting the vet. This include over the counter killers too.
• While some of the newer analgesics are used for injuries and arthritis pain relief, NSAIDs are usually given in case of bone and joint problems. However, these medication are also said to cause some side effects. So, it is very important to give such drugs, as per the instructions of the vet only.
• Use of aspirin for canine pain relief is one of the much-debated topics, as this drug is said to cause side effects in pets. So, it should be administered according to the aspirin dosage for dogs, as fixed by the vet. It is said that this drug must be avoided in case of dogs with kidney problems and high blood pressure.
• Other medication used for dog pain relief include some types of narcotics and antidepressants. In some rare cases, corticosteroids may also be used for pain relief for dogs.
• Usually, NSAIDs are used for pain due to arthritis. Apart from medication, a nutritious diet, along with dog arthritis supplements are also used to treat this condition in dogs.
• You may also go for herbal remedies. Licorice, turmeric, yucca, aloe vera, chamomile, ginger and feverfew are used as pain relievers for dogs. While licorice oil massage may provide relief to arthritis pain, adding a small amount of turmeric to dog food is also good for the same purpose. However, seek the opinion of the vet regarding the use of this method of natural pain relief for dogs.

Even acupuncture and homeopathic remedies are said to be beneficial in providing pain relief for dogs. So, dog pain relief is possible with the help of the above said methods. In case you notice symptoms of pain in your dog, take it to the vet and start treatment immediately. You must follow the doctor's instructions regarding the dosage of the medication.