Pain Relief for Dogs: What Works Best
Veterinarians have made significant progress in knowing how to provide pain relief for dogs in recent years. As a survival tactic, many puppies would naturally hide their suffering, leading well-intentioned scientists to believe that dogs did not experience pain in the same way that people do.
We now understand that dogs have a neurological system similar to humans and we can better detect and manage their suffering. When your pet hurts, you want to make them feel better. There are a variety of approaches to assist puppies in handling pain better. Let’s dive in.
Table of Content:
- What Is Pain?
- How Can I Tell if My Dog Is in Pain?
- What Can You Give a Dog for Pain?
- What About Tylenol for Dogs?
- Can We Use Opioids for Pain Management?
- Natural Pain Relief for Dogs
- Are There Alternatives to Medication?
- How to Prevent Pain in Dogs?
- The Takeaway
- Nutrition Strength Pain Relief for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Pain Relief for Dogs here.
What Is Pain?
Experts say pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience connected with actual or potential tissue injury. There are many different types of pain.
Pain is a very subjective experience that is difficult to quantify. Suffering evaluation in dogs can be tricky since dogs naturally hide their pain to protect prospective predators from attacking them when they are hurt. Pain manifests itself in a variety of ways, depending on the dog.
It’s crucial to remember that just because a dog isn’t crying, limping, or displaying other evident indicators of pain doesn’t imply it’s not in pain. A decent rule of thumb is that anything that would injure you would also hurt a dog.
How Can I Tell if My Dog Is in Pain?
It is reasonable to presume that a dog will endure discomfort following apparent injuries or surgical operations. Even if the signals are mild, most dogs will show signs of pain if they are closely studied. When dogs are in pain, they usually change their behavior somehow.
A dog may be hesitant to climb stairs, enter a car, display diminished activity, or refuse to be touched or lifted. Subtle signals might be our sole indication that the dog is in pain.
Arthritis is a prevalent ailment in elderly dogs. Anyone who has seen an elderly dog struggles to get up or be unable to stand after lying down understands the pain these animals go through. While arthritis is more common in elderly dogs, several breeds are more prone to dog hip pain, including the following:
- Labradors
- Great Danes
- German Shepherds
- Rottweilers
- Dachshunds
- Newfoundlands
- Mastiffs
Other pain symptoms include (but are not limited to):
- Whimpering or vocalizing;
- Being silent, reclusive, and anti-social;
- Aggressively acting when approached or touched (an attempt to protect themselves from further pain)
- Increased licking of a painful/sensitive region;
- Decreased appetite;
- Aversion to walking, running, climbing stairs, jumping, or playing;
- Stiffness or limping;
- Trailing behind on walks or halting entirely when on walks;
- Attitude changes;
- Increased panting and / or restlessness.
What Can You Give a Dog for Pain?
If your dog has surgery or dental treatment, don’t hesitate to inquire about pain management options. The majority of these surgeries need some form of postoperative pain medication, while the length of therapy varies depending on the surgery. In most cases, your dog will be given pain relievers before, during, and after surgery or a dental operation.
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), including ibuprofen and aspirin, are a class of pharmaceuticals that decrease inflammation, discomfort, and fever. They all act by blocking cyclooxygenase, an enzyme that creates prostaglandins, hormone-like chemicals that increase inflammation, heat, and pain.
However, prostaglandins have a variety of additional functions in the body, including ensuring proper blood flow to the kidneys, generating a coating of mucus to protect the gastrointestinal tract’s inner lining, and allowing blood to clot normally.
There are NSAIDs explicitly made for dogs, and there may be times when you may give your dog human medicine. For example, your veterinarian may suggest you share your dog aspirin under their supervision. For dogs, NSAIDs include:
- Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl)
- Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
- Firocoxib (Previcox)
- Meloxicam (Metacam)
Your veterinarian can prescribe any of these drugs. They can also determine what is causing the discomfort and its treatment.
If your veterinarian prescribes medication for your dog in pain, you should be aware of specific potential adverse effects. Side effects can occur with any therapy, but they are weighed against the medication’s benefits when determining efficacy and safety.
The following are some of the potential adverse effects to be aware of:
- Mood swings;
- Appetite loss;
- Skin redness;
- Digestive disorders such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Your veterinarian will have a clearer understanding of your dog’s health and provide you with more information. You may also find it beneficial to read the medication’s brochure, containing instructions and information about potential adverse effects. You can always ask your veterinarian for a pamphlet or handout if the drug did not arrive with one.
If you’re thinking of giving your dog a human NSAID or if your veterinarian has prescribed treatment, there are many things to consider. The majority of pain treatment for dogs is given orally or by injection.
An oral medication might be in the form of a liquid. That makes it simple to combine with meals. It can also be in the shape of a pill or tablet. It’s not easy to give a medication to your dog.
You can make it easier by encasing the drug in something edible (such as a little “meatball” of canned dog food), but this isn’t always successful. If you know your dog doesn’t respond well to oral medications, talk to your vet about alternate options.
Allergic reactions are also a possibility, although they are pretty infrequent. Still, certain medicines might cause adverse reactions in particular dogs, so it’s always a good idea to be cautious (especially when starting a new medication).
What About Tylenol for Dogs?
Although acetaminophen (Tylenol) is not an NSAID, it is harmful to dogs. It has no impact on inflammation, and no one knows how it works to relieve pain and heat. However, when dogs consume toxic acetaminophen levels, it damages their liver cells and kidneys.
Moreover, it transforms hemoglobin into methemoglobin. That leads to inadequate oxygen distribution throughout the body and extensive tissue damage.
If you have small puppies, you should be aware they are so sensitive to acetaminophen’s side effects that even one regular-strength pill can cause severe toxicosis, and two tablets can be deadly.
Can We Use Opioids for Pain Management?
Opioids are highly effective (including morphine, codeine, fentanyl, buprenorphine, and hydromorphone). Butorphanol and buprenorphine, two opioids, have been licensed for animal usage. They’re utilized mainly by certified experts since they’re good at relieving dogs in pain, especially acute and surgical pain. It may also treat cancer and arthritic pain in some circumstances.
Sluggishness (sedation), mood changes, and excitation are common opioid side effects. Most of them are associated with functions of the central nervous system. It’s important to remember that various animals react differently to opioids, so dosages may need to be adjusted.
A few years ago, Tramadol was a popular drug when NSAIDs weren’t cutting it. However, a recent study has shown that Tramadol is exceedingly varied and does not function like an opioid as previously thought. Most vets have fallen out of favor due to its typical adverse effects. Such are drowsiness, a change in mindset, and constipation, as well as the ambiguity of its effectiveness.
Natural Pain Relief for Dogs
Because of the risks associated with typical painkillers, some dog owners opt to treat their pets’ discomfort using natural pain relief for dogs such as homeopathy and acupuncture as a supplement or replacement for established treatments.
However, many members of the veterinary profession are opposed to the use of many natural medicines. Many veterinarians believe that many natural remedies have little or no scientific backing, while others stand by their reasonable usage and report positive results when used with more traditional treatments.
If you’re thinking about trying any supplementary therapies, talk to your veterinarian first. They will have the most acceptable comprehension of the illness being treated and advise you on what you should attempt.
Natural dog pain relievers include:
- Arnica — for muscular pain, stiffness, and soreness;
- Borax remedy — for fear and agitation produced by explosions and thunderstorms;
- Calendula — for skin irritation or infections;
- Glucosamine — for arthritis symptoms;
- Ledum — to treat puncture wounds and insect bites;
- Ruta — for tendons and ligament injuries;
- Silicea — removes foreign bodies such as splinters, especially after cruciate ligament surgery.
However, always obtain medical advice from your veterinarian before giving your dog any medication.
Alternative therapies such as massage and chiropractic procedures and laser therapy, which can help speed up the healing period of scars and sutures after surgery, are becoming increasingly popular among dog owners and veterinarians. Laser therapy may also aid in the relief of arthritic symptoms, as well as the pain associated with broken limbs or nerve damage.
In any event, consult your veterinarian before employing alternative medicine services outside of the practice; in the hands of unqualified individuals, such procedures may be a waste of money or, worse, cause injury to your dog.
Are There Alternatives to Medication?
Various more complementary treatment methods might help if you wish to think about pain management for your dog without taking pharmaceuticals.
Acupuncture for animals is gaining popularity as a Western therapy. Acupuncture originated in China, but Western medical science has finally figured out how it works, widespread acceptance among veterinarians. When needles are in the body, endorphins, the body’s natural opioids, are released, making acupuncture an effective pain reliever.
Only a veterinarian with a valid veterinary medical diagnosis can lawfully conduct veterinary acupuncture. That is critical because veterinary acupuncture can conceal pain and other disease-related clinical signs. It is suitable for treating functional issues, including paralysis, noninfectious inflammation (like allergies), and discomfort. Acupuncture can help with:
- Musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis;
- Intervertebral disk disease;
- Traumatic nerve damage in smaller animals;
- Problems with the lungs;
- Problems with the skin;
- Diarrhea, constipation, and other gastrointestinal problems.
We can use acupuncture for the following purposes in large dogs:
- Musculoskeletal disorders like painful backs or downer cow syndrome;
- Neurological problems including facial paralysis;
- Skin diseases such as allergic dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema;
- Breathing issues such as heaves and “bleeders”.
Although hydrotherapy isn’t often part of the pain control for dogs, it can help you improve dogs’ fitness and mobility while preventing joint injury. As a consequence, your dog’s compensatory body will be able to maintain itself better in the face of discomfort, minimizing pain.
Hydrotherapy treatments involve shower massages and soothing warm water, which provide canine pain relief for dogs. A hydrotherapist for dogs or veterinary physiotherapist is generally in charge of the treatment. Swimming or walking in the water like shallow water at the beach or on an underwater treadmill is another kind of hydrotherapy.
Canine hydrotherapy can help with a variety of diseases and illnesses, including:
- Neurological issues;
- ACL injuries;
- Other orthopedic concerns;
- Recovering after surgery;
- Loss of weight.
How to Prevent Pain in Dogs?
Maintaining your dog’s fitness and health will go a long way toward preventing everyday suffering. Regular movement and exercise, such as walks and lengthy runs, are good joint pain relief for dogs. Remember that regular, continuous exercise is preferable to walking your dog very little during the week and going on a significant “binge” hike on the weekend, especially for senior dogs.
Keep an eye on your dog’s teeth, and gums since catching early dental problems make them easier to treat, decreasing discomfort and consequences from things like abscesses and tooth decay.
The Takeaway
Not all canine pain relievers are suitable for your pet. The liver must process medications before the kidneys may eliminate them. As a result, if your dog has an underlying illness that affects these organs, drugs may exacerbate the situation.
The best persons to talk to about these adverse effects are veterinarians. They know all of the medication’s possible risks. One of the primary reasons you should only give your dog drugs that your veterinarian has recommended is because of this.
There are several drugs that you should not give your dog simultaneously. For example, treating your dog with NSAIDs and corticosteroids at the same time might result in life-threatening gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding.
It’s tempting to believe that you can give your dog a pain reliever medication from your medicine cabinet to tide him over until you can see a veterinarian in the morning. One of the most common causes of ibuprofen poisoning in dogs is this.
You may have excellent intentions, yet you may cause more harm than good. It will not cost you anything to call the emergency veterinarian and inquire what you may give your dog over the phone. If you can’t reach your veterinarian, some pain-relieving home cures don’t entail giving your dog medicine.
While lowering your dog’s suffering may appear to be the most crucial aim, bear in mind that keeping him safe and healthy is the most important goal.
Nutrition Strength Pain Relief for Dogs
Check out our Nutrition Strength Pain Relief for Dogs here.
Nutrition Strength’s Pain Relief for Dogs Supplement, Anti Inflammatory for Dogs in Pain, with Organic Yucca, Boswellia, Meadowsweet, Cornus, Licorice and Ginger may help to reduce inflammation while at the same time relieving your dog’s discomfort that comes with aging, regular activity, hip and joint issues and injuries. It may improve the lives of dogs suffering from hip dysplasia, arthritis or other kinds of pain.
Our tasty tablets for dogs in pain are specially made with the ingredients needed to help your pets by:
- Delivering the right blend of organic ingredients, which may help relieve pain that results from soft tissue damage.
- Providing organic yucca and boswellia to help promote cartilage synthesis.
- Supplying MSM, which may help lubricate your dog’s joints to facilitate easier movement.
- Utilizing the natural anti-inflammatory qualities of ingredients such as yucca, boswellia and MSM.
- Furnishing saponins (found in yucca) and terpenes (found in boswellia), which may help maintain blood supply to the joint tissues.
Nutrition Strength’s supplement for dogs in pain delivers ingredients, which have been researched for their anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to provide relief for sore, stiff muscles and joints in senior dogs, as well as in very active dogs.
Used daily, our tasty pain relief for dogs tablets may help your four-legged furry friend enjoy life to the fullest.
Image source: Wikimedia / EduardoVela.