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Give Your Dog Pain Relief - NaturallyDog pain relief does not necessarily have to be strong drugs such as NSAIDs. In fact, more and more dog owners are turning to alternative remedies to relieve their dog's pain. If your dog seems to be in pain, please read on ... Here are the topics that will be covered on this page:
If you would like to learn more about using natural remedies for dog pain relief, please visit our page on herbal pain remedies. Signs and Symptoms of Dog PainUnlike us, dogs don't whine and cry about their pain - They usually hide their pain and suffer in silence. That is their natural instinct for survival. However, there are telltale signs - both physical and behavioral - that may indicate our dog is in pain. By being observant and alert to these signs, we can get an early diagnosis of possible health problems, or give our dog pain relief sooner to minimize his discomfort and suffering.Signs and symptoms to look out for are:
Vocalizing
Posture
Facial Expression
Activity Level
Behavioral Changes
What are the Possible Causes of Dog Pain?As you can imagine, there are zillions of possible reasons that can cause pain to our dogs. Here are some of the most common causes:Arthritis Arthritis is one of the most common dog health problems. Arthritis can be caused by genetic conditions such as hip dysplasia, or can be the result of a number of degenerative processes. Of course, it can also be secondary to an earlier injury or surgery. Read more about dog arthritis here. Back Problems Back problems can also cause a lot of pain to the dogs. Back problems in dogs can range from something like a pulled muscle to something more serious like a herniated disk. Read more about dog back problems here. Injuries Injuries such as bone fractures, sprains, bruises, etc., as well as insect bites and stings can also cause a lot of pain to our dogs. Ear Infections Dog ear infections, especially when spread to the middle or inner ear, can be extremely painful. Usually the dog will shake his head violently and will scratch the affected ear incessantly. He may also rub his head against the wall or furniture. Read more about dog ear infections here. Eye Problems Eye problems, such as ocular infections, ulceration of the cornea, glaucoma, etc., can be another source of pain and discomfort for our dogs. Dogs with eye problems usually will consistently scratch the affected eye with their hind leg. Alternatively, they will rub their eye against the bed, carpet, furniture, etc. Read more about dog eye problems here. Headaches 
Yes - dogs suffer from headaches too! They may develop nervous migrane or the headache may be as a result of a tumor. Usually a dog suffering from headache has a fixed stare, or he may have his eyes closed. He will shake his head lightly and repeatedly from side to side and may scratch his head against the legs.Dental and Gum Problems Tooth decay, abscesses, and gingivitis are all culprits that cause great pain to our dogs. Dogs suffering from dental or gum diseases usually drool, sometimes cough, and have no appetite. Read more about dog dental care here. Problems with the Digestive System Indigestion caused by eating something inedible; poisoning; or obstruction of the intestines can cause abdominal pain to our dogs. Dogs with abdominal pain will rub their lateral abdomen against walls or furniture. They may also lay down and unwilling to get out of bed. They will try to lick their abdominal area. Urinary Tract Infections Another painful dog illness is urinary tract infections. Dogs with UTIs have a curved back because they have back pain. They urinate frequently and sometimes in inappropriate places. They also experience pain while urinating. Read more about dog urinary tract infections here. Anal Sac Impaction Dogs who have anal sac problems are always licking or even biting the anal area. They will scoot on the floor leaving unsightly "skid marks". Because of the pain from the rear end, they tend to sit down extremely carefully, looking backwards all the time. Read more about anal sac impaction here. Cancers Dog pain can of course be also caused by cancers of various types. Read more about dog cancer here. TopSome Conventional Dog Pain MedicationsConventional dog pain relief medications include the following:NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs) These non-hormonal products include non-prescription aspirin and prescription required products such as Rimadyl. Usually NSAIDs are dog pain relief medications used for low to moderate pain and discomfort. Steroids Cortisone and synthetic cortisone-like drugs (e.g. dexamethasone) are anti-inflammatory medications usually prescribed by conventional veterinarians to reduce pain caused by arthritis, or to alleviate discomfort caused by allergies. These dog pain relief medications have a lot of nasty side-effects and should be used with extreme caution. Read more about dog pain medications here.
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