Monday, February 11, 2013

Dog Pain Relief Strategies

By Geraldine Dimarco


It's very difficult to experience excruciating pain and not know what to do to get rid of it right? I can just imagine how it will be for our dogs. I mean, they can't even talk or adequately express their thought to us, much less find ways to help themselves. Therefore it is important that we recognize when our pets are in pain and what we can do about them.

There are several reasons why a dog may be in pain, but all dogs usually exhibit the same symptoms. They will whine, decline to eat or drink, shake, seem depressed and be listless. When you see more than one of these signs showing, you need to go to the vet immediately and have him accurately diagnose your dog's condition.

Fortunately, several dog pain relievers in the market can help in solving this particular predicament. You can expect the vet to prescribe an NSAID to reduce inflammation and lessen the pain. There are times though that the urgency is high and there is no vet you can go to, or the exact diagnosis is not yet ready. If this is so, try out these simple dog pain relief at home remedies that are proven effective by many pet owners.

Definitely what you can do to lessen pain right away is to confine your dog's movements to only what is absolutely necessary-like trips to the bathroom. Regular, light exercise is important; but for now, while you are not sure about what is bothering him, keep close watch over his movements. Take him to a comfortable place with all his toys and food and water dishes waiting for him.

Apply a cold compress on swelling on your dog's body. Inflammation is a major cause of serious pain for the poor dog and putting a cold compress on it for 20 minutes will help significantly. Do the ice therapy intermittently for 48 hours or until the swelling goes down. Don't apply a hot compress on it. Hot or warm compress should be applied only for relieving tense muscles.

Human medications should never be given as dog pain relievers at any time. Some people think that small amounts are fine, but small amounts given consistently can result in dire consequences to their health. Aspirin contains strong substances that cause ulcers and blood thinners. This is especially harmful if the dog is in recuperation or has severe bruising.

Another really good dog pain relief at home technique is simply to give your dog a massage. It is very calming to the stressed out dog, thus decreasing his discomfort. The massage will stimulate blood flow and also help in giving your dog's coat a healthier shine. Keep your dog's weight down and feed him a diet rich in essential nutrients needed for his health.

I know it's not easy to watch your pet suffer through pain that is why we can do our part in making sure he has his best health today. Be vigilant about his diet and periodic check-ups with the vet. Don't worry too much about it-love him the best way you can and everything else will fall into place. Enjoy!




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