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PAIN MANAGEMENT FOR DOGS
If your dog has joint pain or chronic pain, you’ll need to come up with a long-term plan to protect your pet’s joints from further damage. Veterinarians often provide prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat pain.
Humans commonly use Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to soothe stiffness, pain, and swelling. However, you should never share human NSAIDs with your dog. Dogs and drugs metabolize differently than humans, so consult veterinarian before giving your dog pain medication. Your veterinarian will give the correct dose of pain meds for your dog. Canine NSAIDs include:
- carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl)
- deracoxib (Deramaxx)
- firocoxib (Previcox)
- meloxicam (Metacam)
As we all know, medicines have more or less potential side effects. The same goes for dogs pain meds. Dogs may suffer from gastrointestinal ulcers, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity,
and cardiovascular complications after taking these dogs pain meds. If your dog develops diarrhea, vomiting, or bloody or tarry stools, notify your veterinarian immediately. To avoid this, many dog owners prefer to use natural remedies if the dog’s condition is not severe.
NATURAL PAIN RELIEF FOR DOGS
Here are some home remedies for dog pain relief. These are all natural and safe for long-term use with most pets. However, you still should consult veterinarians before trying to give your dog pain relief at home. It’s important to fully understand the cause of the pain before treatment.
Heat and Cold Therapy
Apply cold therapy for up to 10 minutes at a time to alleviate pain from short-term injuries like if your dog gets hurt playing or is recovering from surgery. Apply heat therapy for up to 20 minutes at a time to relieve pain caused by chronic conditions like hip dysplasia or arthritis pain. This it has virtually no side effects and effectively relieves inflammation. Heat therapy works best with any treatment modality for dog pain relief.
Targeted Heating Therapy Braces
Joint problems are common in dogs, particularly in seniors and large breeds. Although there is no cure for this progressive condition, initiating appropriate management can help keep our dog active and improve their quality of life. The Targeted Heating Therapy Braces are used to reduce stiffness and muscle spasms, increase blood flow and relieve pain, which is helpful for ongoing conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis and hip dysplasia in your dogs.
√ Veterinarian approved
√ Relief chronic pain, such as arthritis and hip/elbow dysplasia
√ Home-used heat therapy for recovery
√ Targeted Heating
√ Safety without over-heating
√ Working well with other therapies
Other home remedies for dog pain relief
CBD Oil
CBD comes from the flowers, leaves, and stalks of the hemp plant and contains high levels of cannabinoids. There are studies reporting that dogs with osteoarthritis showed significant pain reduction with no side effects after using CBD oil.
Turmeric
Turmeric is rich in a biochemical called curcumin, which offers natural anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, in two separate studies, turmeric relieved pain more effectively than either ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Ginger
Much like turmeric, ginger is a root that has many healing benefits for dogs and humans alike. Try adding a small amount of fresh grated ginger to your dog food so they can benefit from it.
Acupuncture
The process reduces pain by stimulating the nervous system. The strategic placement of acupuncture needles is thought to support normal inflammatory response and enhance blood circulation.
Boswellia serrata
Boswellia extract comes from the Indian Boswellia serrata tree. It works by inhibiting the production of a specific type of leukotriene, which modulates the immune response to inflammatio. In a study on 29 dogs with joint disease, Boswellia extract significantly improved pain markers like activity level.
Devil’s Claw
Devil’s Claw is often used to treat muscle pain, joint pain, spasms, minor skin injuries, and post-op pain. This plant is so appreciated, that you can often purchase supplements from a holistic veterinarian.
NATURAL PAIN PREVENTION FOR DOGS
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If your dog is currently in good health, hear are some natural ways to protect your dog’s joints. This can help dogs stay active for as long as possible.
Green-Lipped Mussels
This all-natural ingredient is rich in those well-researched Omega-3s, and it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which are still being researched as a potential form of joint support.
Fish Oil
Fish oil made from wild-caught cold-water fish like pollock and salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. In a review of studies on natural remedies for osteoarthritis, significant evidence showed omega-3 fatty acid helps protect the joints and prevent pain.
Diet
Obesity in dogs can lead to joint pain and a variety of other chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. Ensure that your dog maintains a healthy body weight — follow the feeding guidelines on your pet’s food.
Exercise
Low-impact exercise like walking and swimming will help maintain your pet’s joint health and overall wellness — preventing many of the chronic conditions that cause pain.
