How to treat a limping dog at home?
It is not uncommon for dogs to get injured or suffer from a medical condition that makes it difficult for them to walk. If your dog has developed a limp, you may be tempted to panic and take him/her straight into the veterinarian’s office. However, there are some simple things that you can do at home that could help reduce pain and discomfort in your pet until you’re able to schedule an appointment with your vet.
A limp can be caused by different reasons such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, sprains and strains in the leg muscles or ligaments, and even problems in the spine like disc disease or osteoarthritis (like humans). It is important to understand what type of injury is causing the limping so proper treatment can be rendered.
The most common symptom of a limp is reduced or no exercise tolerance and reduced speed in walking or running. The injured leg may be held constantly off the ground, but this isn’t always the case. If your dog can put weight on the leg, assume that there is something wrong with it and seek veterinary advice for further diagnosis. Most injuries are not life-threatening, but if left untreated they could potentially become worse over time resulting in severe arthritis or even paralysis.
Once you notice that your pet has developed a limp you should schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to determine what type of injury is causing it. However, here are some home remedies that will help reduce pain and minimize discomfort until you’re able to take your pet to the vet.
Below is the best way that you can learn how to treat a limping dog at home…
Treating A Limp at Home:
– Rest: If your dog is experiencing pain when walking, it’s best to put him/her on rest until you’re able to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. This means no walks, running, jumping, or any other activities that could potentially make the injury worse. Keep in mind that even though dogs are naturally active creatures, they still need time to recover from injuries and wounds. It’s important not only for their safety but also for speedy healing.
– Ice pack/compress: Applying ice packs several times a day can help decrease swelling around the injured area as well as minimize pain and discomfort. Some people recommend placing crushed ice inside of a plastic bag and then wrapping it with a towel before applying it to your pet’s leg, but you can also use frozen vegetables, cold water bottles, or ice cubes instead.
– Anti-Inflammatory & Pain Medication: Over-the-counter medications such as human ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), as well as other anti-inflammatory drugs may help reduce pain and itching if your dog has developed an infection around the injury site. These types of medication must be given under veterinary supervision.
– Glucosamine and chondroitin: This is a dietary supplement that has been proven to help dogs suffering from osteoarthritis. It usually comes in capsules containing glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate together. One capsule twice a day is usually enough for most dogs to notice an improvement in their mobility and overall wellbeing.
– Comfrey cream: This is another topical remedy that can help soothe skin irritations, infections and promote faster healing. It can also be used on abrasions, cuts, and other areas where the skin has become inflamed or raw due to excessive scratching or biting.
– Ibuprofen gel: Vetericyn makes a pain-relieving gel that contains ibuprofen as the active ingredient (0.5%). It works like ice packs by reducing inflammation and soothing redness but it’s more portable and easier to apply without having to worry about anything beforehand. To learn more about vet-approved medications and treatments please keep on reading.
– Cosequin: This is a dietary supplement that contains glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate together, just like the ones mentioned above. However, most vets recommend using Cosequin over others because it helps support joint health in dogs with hip dysplasia by decreasing inflammation in their joints. It also tends to work better for breeds that are susceptible to degenerative joint diseases such as German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, or Rottweilers. You can buy this product at any veterinary clinic without having to worry about anything but make sure to read instructions carefully before applying it to your dog’s skin.
– Xeflex (phalexin): This is a fast-acting anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal medication that can be administered orally. It works by reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation in dogs with osteoarthritis or other joint diseases such as elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, and panosteitis. Keep in mind that this medication may cause vomiting or diarrhea so you should avoid giving your dog ibuprofen while he/she is taking it.
– Amitriptyline (Elavil): This is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat chronic pain in pets. This drug works by blocking pain signals from being sent to the brain while also increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. Amitriptyline comes with numerous side effects including sedation, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight gain, and behavior changes.
– Gabapentin (Neurontin): This is a drug that’s primarily used to treat seizures in pets but it can also be prescribed for neuropathic pain. It works by blocking calcium channels on neurons to reduce the intensity of pain signals being sent to the brain. This medication often causes drowsiness or may affect your dog’s coordination at first so you should get in touch with your local veterinarian if you notice any unusual symptoms while taking it.
– Baclofen: This is another GABA agonist that has been proven to work well for dogs with anxiety-related disorders, but it can also be prescribed for canine arthritis. Unlike Amitriptyline or Gabapentin, Baclofen is less likely to cause sedation or affect coordination.
– Ketamine: This is an anesthetic that works by blocking signals being sent from the brain to different parts of the body resulting in loss of sensation. This drug can be used for postoperative pain relief, as well as during surgical procedures involving anesthesia. It’s also proven to work well for chronic pain caused by arthritis or nerve damage but it carries numerous side effects including nausea, vomiting, and confusion which means you should only use this drug under veterinary supervision.
– Tramadol (Ultram): This is a centrally acting opioid analgesic that has been approved by FDA to treat moderate to severe pain in dogs with osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia. It works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine which results in an overall reduction of pain. This medication does carry numerous side effects including vomiting, sedation, loss of appetite, weight gain, or changes in behavior so make sure to consult your veterinarian first before starting it on your dog.
– Methadone: This is a synthetic opioid that has been approved for treating moderate to severe pain caused by canine arthritis. It works by binding to opioid receptors located throughout the body reducing pain signals being sent from the brain. Methadone should only be used for short periods since it’s known to cause serious withdrawal symptoms if used long-term.
Some cases to pay attention:
– Dogs with overactive thyroid glands are more likely to develop problems associated with joint inflammation so you should consider checking your dog’s thyroid levels if he/she is experiencing frequent pain.
– Dogs that have been neutered or spayed are more likely to develop arthritis so avoid the urge of getting your dog fixed as it may lower his/her immune system and worsen joint problems in the future.
– A proper diet can help reduce various symptoms associated with canine arthritis including pain, swelling, and seizures. Make sure that you’re feeding your four-legged friend a healthy diet rich in Omega 3 fatty acids which will promote a healthy coat and skin while also reducing inflammation throughout the body.
Try adding an extra amount of glucosamine and chondroitin to your dog’s food since they’ve been proven to work well for canines suffering from arthritis. You can also give your dog a half teaspoon of turmeric mixed with his/her daily food since it’s been shown to reduce the severity and frequency of seizures in dogs.
On top of improving your dog’s diet, you should also provide him/her with additional supplements including fish oil, vitamin D3, and C vitamins which will promote a healthy immune system while also stimulating blood circulation throughout the body.
Quick Tips:
– Before starting any type of medication consult your local veterinarian about possible side effects associated with each drug as well as ways to avoid them such as switching dosage or adding extra medications. Your pet may experience certain side effects for the first few weeks but if they continue contacting your vet ASAP so he/she can find the safest way to minimize or avoid them.
– When starting any type of medication make sure to start with the lowest dosage possible and increase it every 4-5 days until you get your dog’s pain under control. Avoid increasing dosage more than once per week since it can cause your dog to suffer from severe side effects including seizures, confusion or vomiting so don’t forget to closely monitor him/her during the entire treatment process.
– Make sure that you’re never giving your four-legged friend any of these medications without first consulting your local veterinarian because even though they may work well for dogs suffering from arthritis they also carry numerous side effects that can be harmful in some cases. You should also keep in mind that most drugs used for treating canine arthritis aren’t FDA approved so they should always be used under strict veterinary care and supervision.
Conclusion
A limping dog is one of the most concerning symptoms a pet owner can see. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are many conditions which could lead to this symptom and not all require veterinary intervention. If your pup has been struggling with an ongoing limp for more than 2-3 days, be sure to consult your veterinarian immediately – especially if other signs such as fever or lethargy have appeared alongside the limping.
