Our dogs have signs and symptoms of pain much like people do, but often this pain goes unrecognized, undiagnosed, and therefore untreated. In this article, I will show you how to check if your dog is in pain and the most common symptoms found in dog pain. I’ll cover the most common causes of dog pain, and lastly, I’ll show you the most important safe solutions you can provide to treat your dog’s pain at home.
Unfortunately, our dogs cannot speak, so it is up to us to recognize the signs and symptoms of pain in dogs. The signs of pain are often very subtle and can be hard to see. Some dogs may be reluctant to move, jump up, or have difficulty getting up after lying down. They may shake, eat or drink less, be generally depressed, or pant more. The most obvious signs of pain are obvious lameness, tenderness in a specific area of your body, increased heart and breathing rates, and vocalization. Some dogs have strictly behavioral changes, such as becoming more aggressive or not really reacting when petted and groomed.
The causes of pain in dogs can be many, but arthritis tops the list. Most arthritis in dogs is due to wear and tear on the joints, loss of protective cartilage, and subsequent joint inflammation and pain. Back disorders such as spondylosis (fusion of the vertebrae), disc disease, and pinched nerves are increasingly recognized as chronic sources of pain in dogs. Chronic allergies with inflamed skin will cause irritation and pain in your dog, and ear infections, which can be extremely painful, are closely related to allergies. Dog cancer that affects the bones, skin, and organs has many signs, one of which is pain. Dental disorders, such as an abscess at the root of the tooth, can be very painful and your dog may be reluctant to eat.
So if you suspect your dog is in pain, what can you do? Clearly, a diagnosis of the cause of the pain is best, and this means you should either get your dog a basic exam or visit your vet. If your dog has a more chronic condition, such as arthritis, I would suggest some of the safer home remedies, before using the powerful conventional veterinary drugs.
Glucosamine hydrochloride is the most important supplement to add to your dog’s diet. The dosage is 100 mg ounce daily per 10 pounds of body weight. It helps rebuild cartilage and delay further cartilage breakdown, and appears to have some anti-inflammatory properties. It can come in a variety of combinations, with the most effective combinations including chondroitin and MSM. You should look for the chondroitin dose to be at least 50% of the glucosamine level. For example, a 50lb dog should receive a 500mg dose of glucosamine and 250mg of chondroitin.
Aspirin is safe to use on dogs, but never on cats. The ASA dosage is 325 mg (1 regular tablet) per 40 lbs of body weight administered twice daily. Give 1/4 tab to a 10 pound dog. If side effects such as diarrhea or vomiting are observed, stop. I recommend regular uncoated aspirin, as coated aspirin can pass right through your pet. Be careful using aspirin if your dog has liver disease, kidney disease, or takes additional veterinary drugs; in those situations consult your veterinarian before using ASA.
Of all the herbs, valerian is the most useful for sudden pain. This highly effective herb is used to release muscle spasms that can be triggered from a compressed disc. The dose of the tincture is 0.1 ml per 10 pounds administered twice daily. Other herbs are more helpful for the chronic pain seen in arthritis, and these include willow and devil’s claw. Devil’s claw is used in traditional African medicine and has scientific studies supporting its effectiveness, 100 mg or 10 drops are administered per 10 pounds of body weight.
Homeopathic remedies can be surprisingly effective in relieving your dog’s pain, and most importantly, they have no side effects. Arnica is used for trauma, sudden pain, including back pain such as prolapsed discs and spondylosis. The dosage is 1 30C capsule per 20 pound every 1-2 hours. Arnica is also available in gel form and in combination with other homeopathics, such as Traumeel; the topical cream is very beneficial for locally painful areas, such as a sore knee.
An often overlooked home remedy is a topical compress; the type of compress depends on the injury. For a sudden injury accompanied by inflammation, ice is helpful. Apply a frozen ice block wrapped in a towel for 15 minutes 2-3 times a day for 2 days. When the injury is more prolonged, the application of heat is more appropriate. Wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and apply 2-3 times a day for 15 minutes on the affected area.
Chinese medicine in the form of acupressure can give your dog instant pain relief and no side effects. The two areas that I have found most useful include the BL60 and KI3 points. These are located on the outside (BL60) and inside (KI3) of the girth of the hock joint. KI3 is also good for toning the kidney and strengthening the vital force, the Chi. Another option is palm acupressure in which you place the palm of your hand on the affected area for 30 to 60 seconds twice a day.
You should now have a good understanding of dog pain, including how to check if your dog is in pain, with the most common symptoms including depression, behavior changes, and panting. Arthritis is the most common cause of pain in dogs, although many health conditions, including infections and cancer, present pain as a symptom. There are many home remedies to treat your dog’s pain, and I encourage you to try some of the suggestions above if your dog is experiencing pain now.