When your dog is in pain you want to make it better and you want to make it better right now! Many of us simply reach into the medicine cabinet and we give our dogs what we would take when we are in pain. Is this really a good idea? Do you know that your pet can take the same pain medications at the same doses as you can? You need to be sure that the pain medication that you are giving your dog is helping them and not hurting them.
Find the source of the pain first
When your dog is in pain the first thing you need to do is determine why they are in pain. If you arent sure why your dog is hurting it is always a good idea to bring them to the vet and have them examined.
The reason for this is that if you simply give medication for pain without knowing what you are treating, you could be masking the symptoms of something that needs immediate medical attention.
Pain relief
The best thing you can do for your dogs pain is to apply ice for about 5 minutes. If it does not alleviate the pain, you may try alternating an ice pack with a warm pack for 5 minutes each.
The only over the counter medication that is safe for dogs is aspirin. When you give your dogs aspirin it is generally safe to give them one baby aspirin per 35 pounds of body weight. However, it is best to verify this with your veterinarian before you do this.
No go household drugs
Do not give your dog Tylenol, unless prescribed and supervised by a veterinarian, as it has been reported to kill a dog or a cat in a matter of minutes.
You should also refrain from giving your dog Ibuprofen (also known as Advil) for prolonged periods of time as it can cause not only stomach upset but also ulcers. Many dogs will begin vomiting within minutes from this drug.
Veterinary options
There are many prescription drugs that your veterinarian can give to your dog from pain. If you are unsure about what the pain is or it is more than arthritis or a pulled muscle, you really should bring your dog into be seen.
Sometimes a prescription anti-inflammatory drug will work wonders and have your dog back in working order in less time than you might think!
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