As a concerned pet owner, managing your dog's pain is an essential part of his care and well-being. Whether your dog has recently undergone surgery or he is simply getting older and feeling the effects of aging joints or old injuries, there is a good chance that he is dealing with pain. Dealing with the situation is a lot of work, but you can make your dog much more comfortable.

Identifying the Type of Pain

Acute pain has definite cause and a foreseeable end, while chronic pain will be a part of his life forever. Acute pain can still be quite severe, and chronic pain may vary in intensity, but knowing how long your dog has to deal with the pain can help you decide on what to do and what methods are going to get priority. For instance, post surgical pain is acute and can be expected to fade with time. This means that the medications and measures used to treat this type of pain will only be necessary in the short term On the other hand, some forms of nerve damage and issues like hip dysplasia, so common among larger dogs, are chronic and will require more permanent and sustainable methods of managing pain. Another important example of acute pain is the pain that your dog suffers during an accident and in that case, it is an emergency situation that needs to be attended to immediately.

Conventional Medication

Speak with your veterinarian about providing your dog with medical pain killers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are often used to blunt orthopedic pain and they have fewer side effects than the steroids that used to be prescribed for inflammation. NSAIDs should be used with caution on dogs that have heart, liver, kidney or intestinal drugs and if you notice that your dog is experiencing any side effects from them, you should alert your vet immediately.

Alternative Medication

Alternative medical procedures, which are also known as complementary procedures, are becoming more popular when it comes to treating pain in dogs. Procedures like homeopathy, acupuncture, holistic medicine and aromatherapy have been used to effectively alleviate pain in dogs. If this is a route you want to pursue, you should speak with your veterinarian and see how these procedures can be meshed with your dog's existing condition and current treatment.

Massage

Gently rub your dog all over his body. Not only will he appreciate the contact and the affection, it will also help keep you aware of new areas that he might be sensitive about or injuries that he might be trying to hide. Do not apply pressure over the spinal area and keep your touch gentle. Massaging your dog can alleviate any muscle cramps that he might be experiencing and your touch will also warm up stuff joints and make them more responsive.

Heat

Especially for dogs that have just gotten out of surgery, heat is an important way to relieve pain. Dogs expend a lot of energy simply on healing and because of that, they often feel cold. Some dogs do well with sweaters, but all dogs can benefit from an extra blanket in their bed or a pet-safe heat source.

Isolation

Dogs are social, but being around other animals when they are in pain can be a real problem. A dog who is pain does not need to quarrel for dominance with other dogs, and he also does not need to be injured or knocked around by rambunctious younger dogs. Consider keeping your dog isolated while he is healing except for times when you can give him careful monitoring.

Socialization

Dogs that are in pain still crave company, and even if they cannot play and run like they were once able to, you still need to give it to them. Set some time aside to simply sit with your dog and socialize with him. This can go a long way towards keeping your dog from getting depressed and helping him heal more quickly.

Source:

Healthy Pet: Pain Management for Pets

Managing Pet Pain: Pain Has Life Long Consequences

2nd Chance: Pain Control In Dogs And Cats