Maybe your dog has been trying a little too hard during playtime and just can’t run as energetically as he used to, or maybe time has just caught up with him – either way, it’s never nice to see your pup in pain.
“Just like with people, there are many different types of pain,” he explains. Dr. Jerry KleinThe American Kennel Club’s chief veterinary officer says: “There’s acute pain and chronic pain. There’s visceral pain, nerve pain, joint pain. So we have to remember that pain is a big word.”
After all, our furry friends feel pain just like we do. But as owners, how can we help our pets feel better? Here’s some advice from the experts.
What can I give my dog to ease his pain?
If you think your dog is not feeling well, Klein recommends making an appointment with your vet.
“Dogs don’t understand the concept of pain, so they’ll behave the same way any time they don’t understand something, whether it’s a thunderstorm or a vacuum cleaner,” he says. “This can be difficult for owners to gauge, and if in doubt, the first thing to do is to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible to prevent harm.”
a Veterinarian They will be able to determine what type of pain your pet is in and how best to treat it. Depending on the prognosis, certain tests, blood tests, or x-rays may be ordered.
Once you’ve found the cause of the pain, you can decide on a treatment – for example, if your dog hurts his paw, ice might be effective.
Veterinarians will often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioid medications, or a combination of both, Klein explains. NSAIDs Helps reduce swelling, stiffness and joint pain in dogs.
According to the FDA: Approved NSAIDs Treatments for dog pain include:
- Previcox
- Delamax
- Doxidil
- Galiplant
According to the FDA report, NSAIDs are sold by their active ingredient and may be sold under a variety of brand and generic names.
But it’s important to note that dosages must be carefully adhered to, Klein says: Many of these drugs are sold in chewable form, and dogs have been known to get into the bottle and develop serious toxic levels.
Is it okay to give my dog Tylenol or ibuprofen?
Never give your dog Tylenol or ibuprofen. “Giving human medications like ibuprofen or naproxen to dogs or cats is wrong and dangerous. Tylenol Extra Strength can be fatal to cats,” warns Klein.
Human NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and Tylenol are toxic to dogs even in small amounts.
Your dog Acetaminophen PoisoningAccording to VCA Animal Hospitals, dogs can experience side effects like abdominal pain, vomiting, drooling, shortness of breath and liver damage. In the worst cases, giving your dog ibuprofen or Tylenol can be life-threatening.
“I’ve been in emergency medicine for 35 years, and I’ve seen a lot of bad stuff, and drug toxicity is in the top five,” Klein said. ASPCA List The number one medication taken by dogs and brought in in emergencies is over-the-counter human medications like Advil and Tylenol.”
Alternative ways to relieve pain in dogs
Pet owners can prevent some types of pain by keeping their dog’s weight in check.
“Obesity has a very negative impact on the body, especially disease,” Klein explains. “Dogs who have arthritis, whether it’s their back, hips or joints, and have to carry 20 percent or more of their body weight as extra weight, are really suffering.” Bones, joints and fatty tissue secrete cytokines that contribute to inflammation, making pain worse, he adds.
The best way to prevent this is to keep your pet active. “An orthopedic surgeon once told me, ‘Movement is life. If you don’t move, you can’t live,'” Klein says. Walk your dog regularly And then put it into practice.
Other options for treating pain in dogs include acupuncture, hydrotherapy and swimming, as well as laser and infrared therapy, Klein said.
Green mussel According to the American Kennel Club, green lipped mussels are rich in omega-3 and other fatty acids that may improve joint lubrication and reduce inflammation, stiffness, and joint pain. There are a variety of green lipped mussel supplements and powders available for dogs.
“I think it’s important to recognize that there are a variety of rehabilitation approaches that can be beneficial for dogs, as long as you work with a knowledgeable veterinarian,” Klein says.
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Can I give CBD to my dog?
Klein warns to be careful when applying topicals or ointments to dogs: the biggest concern is that the dog will lick them off.
“You can’t control what your dog absorbs and ingests, and sometimes it’s not evenly applied, so I don’t recommend giving it to dogs unless prescribed by a veterinarian,” he added.
Marijuana Klein said THC is toxic to dogs and that other ingredients in certain CBD products could also be “problematic.”
Research hasn’t yet found the right dosage for CBD in dogs, he adds. And with so many different sizes of dog, it’s hard to know how much CBD to give them, or whether to give them CBD at all. Klein wonders if you’d give a 5-pound Chihuahua the same amount of CBD as you would a 150-pound Great Dane.
CBD can also temporarily elevate liver values in dogs, he added, which could lead to further complications if your dog has underlying liver disease.
Consult your veterinarian before giving any human products to your pet, Klein says.
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