Tag Archives: Inactive Dogs

Pets

Treating Dog Injuries

Treating Dog Injuries Dog injuries are no fun for pets or pet owners.

Treating Dog Injuries

As animals with high energy levels, getting injured is an unfortunate reality for many dogs. Generally, the most common dog injuries consist of sprains or strains due to the nature of how they use their legs and paws. A strain is an injury to a tendon that connects muscles and bones and is common when active dogs stretch too far. A sprain is an injury on the ligaments that link bones and can lead to joint damage. This can happen to any dog when a wrist or knee takes a hard hit. There are a number of ways to treat these injuries, but hot and cold therapy are common practices that can used to help bring your dog relief.

How to Use Ice and Heat Therapy  When Treating Dog Injuries

Before using ice and heat therapy for dog injuries, it must first be determined what type of injury has occurred. Ice therapy is the application of a frozen device, usually some form of an ice pack, on the affected area. When the ice is applied, it helps to reduce irritation and swelling, as well as relieve pain for your dog. With heat therapy, its use combats muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain, and increases blood flow. It can be applied with wraps, heating pads, or heating blankets.

Which Injury, Which Therapy?

Now that you know two of the common types of therapy for dog injuries, it’s important to know when and how to use them. To be the most useful, each type of therapy should be used at certain times. Due to its properties, ice therapy should be used immediately after an injury because it responds to symptoms that are typically experienced right away. Heat therapy is most effective after a few days because it addresses the onset of symptoms that are experienced later.

Keeping Your Dog Safe

While there are many treatments available for dog injuries, the best one is prevention. Of course, your dog is going to continue to be active, but there are ways to help keep your dog safe while having fun. To prevent sprains and strains, it is important to maintain an active lifestyle, even when your dog may not be able to go outside. Furthermore, their general play area should be easy for them to move around in without tripping. Small changes like this can lead to better fun for you and your dog.

For information on being proactive in case of an emergency click here.

Dog Injuries: Sprains and Strains

Dr.  Bernadine Cruz – The Most Common Reason For Surgery.

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Pets

Dog Anxiety And Weighted Backpacks

Dog Anxiety: Just like people, dogs get anxious sometimes.

Understanding Anxiety In Your Dog

Pounding heartbeat, sweaty palms, or shaky knees? We’ve all felt the effects of anxiety. Just like people, dogs get anxious sometimes. The good news is that there are lots of ways to help your beloved pet deal with anxiety. The first step is learning to recognize it.

How do you know if your dog is anxious?

Just like people, dogs get anxious about different things and show it in different ways. Identifying anxiety quickly will help you take action to minimize or eliminate the source. Some signs and behaviors are subtle, while others are pronounced and destructive.
• Panting or drooling.
• Trembling.
• Whining or whimpering.
• Cowering or trying to hide.
• Running away.
• Excessive barking.
• Chewing, scratching and tearing things apart such as wall trim, furniture, pillows, or upholstery.
• Excessive licking or chewing.

What is dog anxiety?

In people terms, think of dog anxiety as a stress reaction. Sometimes there’s a good reason for your dog’s stress. But if your dog becomes overly fearful or anxious when there is no real threat, it’s time to take action. Chronic anxiety is harmful to your dog’s physical and mental health. In extreme cases your dog may injure himself, people or other animals.

What are some triggers of dog anxiety?

Some triggers happen in a moment while others are related to your daily routine. Most triggers fall into one of four categories.
• Loud noises. Thunder and fireworks certainly top the list as a cause of anxiety. Loud noises from construction equipment, car and truck traffic, and firearms may be stressful, especially if they are unfamiliar to your dog. Smoke alarms frighten most dogs as do some household appliances such as a vacuum or blender.
• Separation. Dogs are pack animals so it’s not natural for them to be alone. Since their human family is their pack they may experience anxiety when separated. In addition, other pets in the household are part of the pack and separation may trigger anxiety. This often happens when another pet dies.
• Lack of exercise. Dogs need to be active both physically and mentally. Walking your dog (think exploring) daily will meet both needs. It’s also a great way to bond with your dog. Playtime is equally important. And so is teaching your dog new tasks.
• Social Stress. Your dog may get anxious when meeting new people or new dogs, especially in unfamiliar surroundings such as at a training class or dog park.

Dog Anxiety And  Weighted Backpacks

Weighted backpacks are vest-like garments designed to calm anxious dogs. The vests work under the premise that pressure applied to the dog’s torso causes a calming effect.

When worn correctly, a weighted backpack distribute pressure over the back and sides of the dog’s chest, serving as a calming “hug.” Scientifically, gentle pressure releases chemicals called endorphins that promote a sense of well-being.

Dog Massage Therapy and The Many Benefits

Separation anxiety by Dr. Karen Becker

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Pets

Dog Injuries: Sprains and Strains

Dog injuries are no fun for pets or pet owners.

Treating Dog Injuries

As animals with high energy levels, getting injured is an unfortunate reality for many dogs.

Generally, the most common dog injuries consist of sprains or strains due to the nature of how they use their legs and paws.

A strain is an injury to a tendon that connects muscles and bones and is common when active dogs stretch too far.

A sprain is an injury on the ligaments that link bones and can lead to joint damage. This can happen to any dog when a wrist or knee takes a hard hit.

There are a number of ways to treat these injuries, but hot and cold therapy are common practices that can used to help bring your dog relief.

How to Use Ice and Heat Therapy

Before using ice and heat therapy for dog injuries, it must first be determined what type of injury has occurred.

Ice Therapy

Ice therapy is the application of a frozen device, usually some form of an ice pack, on the affected area. When the ice is applied, it helps to reduce irritation and swelling, as well as relieve pain for your dog.

Heat Therapy

With heat therapy, its use combats muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain, and increases blood flow. It can be applied with wraps, heating pads, or heating blankets.

Which Injury, Which Therapy?

Now that you know two of the common types of therapy for dog injuries, it’s important to know when and how to use them. To be the most useful, each type of therapy should be used at certain times.

Due to its properties, heat therapy should be used immediately after an injury because it responds to symptoms that are typically experienced right away.

Ice therapy is most effective after a few days because it addresses the onset of symptoms that are experienced later.

Keeping Your Dog Safe

While there are many treatments available for dog injuries, the best one is prevention. Of course, your dog is going to continue to be active, but there are ways to help keep your dog safe while having fun.

To prevent sprains and strains, it is important to maintain an active lifestyle for your dog. Activity is important  even when your dog may not be able to go outside.

Furthermore, their general play area should be easy for them to move around in without tripping. Small changes like this can lead to better fun for you and your dog.

 Injuries to your dog  using retractable leashes by Dr. Karen Becker.

Joint Injuries In Dogs

 

Pets

Joint Injuries In Dogs

Causes Of  Joint Injuries In Your Dog

Our pets are always at risk for joint injuries.  Our four-legged family member stand on their toes, ankles in the air, knees forward. If you were in this position all day and you would  have a better idea of the weight and stress your dog puts on his muscles and joints. It takes lots of energy, strength, and flexibility to chase squirrels, scratch behind ears, wrestle with playmates, jump on beds, and leap for toys.

Arthritis almost always develops as a result of injury much earlier in life, even when your dog is a puppy. Over exercise, jumping too high, and running too hard before a puppy’s bones and joints are mature can injure the joints so supervise your young dog’s exercise routine.

 

Every now and then dogs overdo it, asking just too much of their front legs (shoulders, elbows, wrists, and toes) or back legs (hips, knees, ankles, and toes). Sprains and strains are common injuries. If you hear your dog yelp, he may need your help.

A muscle strain here, a pulled ligament there, a sprain, a bruise pretty soon we’re talking about serious problems. Canine sports injuries are increasingly common, but there is much you can do to catch them early, treat them correctly, and reduce the risk of your dog getting badly hurt, needing surgery, or having to retire from competition.

Every dog is a candidate for injury, but those at special risk include:

– overweight dogs
– dogs that only workout on the weekend
– inactive dogs
– dogs with arthritis
– search and rescue dogs
– dogs who compete in flyball, agility, freestyle, disc dog (Frisbee), field work, dock diving, obedience, weight pulling, dog sledding, and other sports

Joint Problems In Dogs

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