If there’s one thing we, dog-owners, can’t stand, it’s our pets in pain, noticeable or otherwise. We make sure their homes are warm and livable, their food premium ad healthy, and their health always in tiptop shape. However, we can’t deny that age creeps up to humans and canines alike. Some conditions will come with that consequence, like body soreness, weakness, lower stamina, more frequent fatigue, and sometimes even more severe health problems.
One of those serious, albeit common conditions a dog can have is joint pain. Dogs can manifest signs of these conditions in various forms (see more), like limping or a noticeable lack of physical activities. If your pet was once active, you could easily spot these symptoms. However, if they show aggression, spinal issues, or even loss of appetite for no apparent reason, you should also consider this condition.
Sometimes, even surgery isn’t the correct answer to this option. In most cases, the pain can be alleviated with a simple home remedy or a pet-owner’s intervention. In this article, we will walk you through the types of pain for dogs and some ways you can help them find relief in their condition.
How To Spot A Dog In Pain
Each canine can have differences in showing their pain and discomfort, but vets and experts have gathered information on the most common symptoms that occur when they’re ill. Some signs can be licking a particular area continuously or whining when they exert some force onto a limb. They can be signs of many conditions, such as internal bleeding, pancreatitis, or arthritis.
A change in their behavior can be a sign of pain as well. The American Animal Hospital Association has listed aggressiveness (link: https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/painmanagement_dogs_web.pdf) as one of the notable characters of a dog in distress. This can mean hostility, ears folded back, or polar opposite behavior. In other words, dogs who are usually friendly get aggressive when in discomfort, and those ordinarily aggressive would turn quiet and covert.
Other Symptoms Of Pain
Other than what is mentioned, there are also different ways to spot their poor condition. For example, one significant symptom is pressing their heads against a wall. This behavior can warrant an immediate trip to the vet. Another sign could be an aversion to touch, especially from their human. This can be a late indication of pain, especially when they flinch away or snarl at you for doing so.
Some more late symptoms can be weight loss due to lack of appetite, poor grooming, trembling, or disobedience. The last one occurs when you call them, and they don’t answer or come to you. And when you try to walk them, they refuse to budge. Please don’t take this as bad behavior, rather an intervention to avoid worsening the condition on their part.
What Could Have Caused This Pain?
There are several possible reasons why your dog feels this way, like physical trauma, medical interventions, or an underlying health condition. There are also two types of pain a dog can experience: acute pain and chronic pain. The former can root from surgery, sprains, dental diseases, or external wounds. Acute means it can be healed in a short amount of time, and by then, it will go away.
On the other hand, chronic can mean a more serious condition is causing it. Unlike acute, which can come abruptly and go away shortly after that, chronic can mean months and years of continuous discomfort. It can root from cancer, damaged joints or bones, fatty liver, heart conditions, internal inflammation or bleeding, or THC poisoning.
THC poisoning can happen when a dog ingests marijuana or other cannabis products with THC in the ingredient list. Tetrahydrocannabinol is poisonous for animals, and that includes dogs. Their brain can go on overdrive and can lead them to inevitable coma or death when untreated immediately. CBD products from reputable companies, such as CBD dog treats and oils, do not have THC. Thus, you don’t need to worry about them ingesting something dangerous.
Cannabidiol products aren’t known to induce any life-threatening symptoms the way marijuana does. That is why many pet owners opt to use CBD products made for dogs for joint pain conditions. Some even invest in it because it fortifies their pet’s health. Plus, a scrumptious snack for your dog is more than welcome on their part.
Ways To Prevent Worsening Pain
Your pet showing their weak side is already a sign of their immense trust in you. Their instincts often drive them to conceal any weaknesses because the weak get eaten. Therefore, as a pet-owner, you should provide them with care and gentleness to not break this trust. At the earliest possible time, you should:
- Provide a quiet, safe environment for them to rest.
- Provide them with healthy food and water. Include a lot of meat in their diet unless contradicted by their condition or the vet. Meat can help with healing external wounds.
- Give their medications on time and with accurate dosage.
- Give them CBD dog treats, oils, or any other products to encourage a speedy recovery.
- After surgery, be sure to puppy-proof your home so it doesn’t accidentally hit its surgical area with sharp and hard edges or furniture.
Other Homemade Remedies
Herbs such as Comfrey, a traditional healing plant, are best known for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Melatonin, a naturally-occurring compound in the herb, helps your canine through its cellular reproduction properties. On the other hand, rosmarinic acid delivers anti-inflammatory properties. Other examples of useful herbs are licorice, ginger, and alfalfa.
