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Pain Relief for Dogs

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Dog Pain Relief

Canine arthritis is an extremely common condition. But before you reach for the prescription medications, there are plenty of other ways to alleviate your dog's pain first.

In this article we will have a look at some of the other key ways to help our pets. It is true that at some point strong products such as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), including Rimadyl for Dogs might be required. But they are rarely used in the long term due to the potential side effects they cause.

If your dog is in pain your vet needs to know, and you will need to follow their advice. But in the meantime, and alongside any treatment they prescribe there are plenty of non-medicinal approaches that are aimed to remove pain and inflammation in the joints. We will not be talking about post operative pain relief as that is something serious and you will have to do whatever your vet suggests. Instead we are focusing on chronic pain such as that brought on by canine osteoarthritis.

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Simple Dog Pain Relief

Basic Steps to Reduce Your Dog's Pain

These simple things can really make a difference to a dog beginning to suffer from canine arthritis. Remember there is no cure for the condition, so anything you can do to slow the progress of the disease, and relieve pain, is great. Even those prescription NSAIDs will do no more than offer short term relief. The following steps may have a much bigger impact, at least during the earlier stages of the condition.

Weight is something you should consider first of all. Any excess weight means more pressure on the joints, when they least need it. If you think your pet may be over-weight ask your vet what their ideal weight should be. Many vets now offer diet advice and even weight-loss clinics to help you ensure Fido achieves their ideal weight.

Joint Supplements containing glucosamine and chrondoitin can be very effective. They help cartilage damage be slowed, and in some cases, rectified to a degree. They will not cure your dog of their arthritic condition, but when effective supplements such as Cosequin and Dasuquin can offer a significant improvement in mobility, so they are worth a try.

Regular light exercise is essential to maintain mobility. As the disease worsens it is likely that your dog will become reluctant to take exercise, so it is important to encourage him and keep regular walks as part of his routine. You may need to ensure your dog does not over exert himself, particularly with movements such as twisting and turning when jumping to play with other dogs, or negotiating steps, which can put an awful lot of strain on the joints.

A comfortable bed may sound silly, but having somewhere warm, dry and comfortable to sleep can help counter-act the usually worse symptoms of pain and stiffness on waking. Having somewhere quiet that your pet may seek refuge from hectic family life may also be useful, as arthritic dogs can become stressed and confused by their sudden bursts of pain.

Massage is just as important when dealing with your pets pain as it is for humans. You don't need to be a masseur either, since simply petting your dog, quietly and gently, focusing extra attention on sore joints, will all help reduce the pain and stress of canine arthritis.

Acupuncture may not be something you can do at home, but there are more practitioners of this mysterious method of pain relief, and more pet owners are finding it useful for both cats and dogs.

Regular vet visits are important to monitor your dog's condition, and provide an impartial point of view. Regular monitoring will allow your vet to determine how effective different treatments are, and will also ensure you keep him up to date on both your dog's progress, and the different treatments and products you are trying.

Simply spending time with your dog, reassuring him that despite his pain, life is still fine and that you are still there for him is important. You should make the most of all the time you have together, and encourage him to participate in family activity and exercise if you want to offer your dog pain relief, and ensure he has the best quality of life possible.