Having a dog will provide you with unconditional love and
companionship. A dog can make you feel happy, wanted, and special. Indeed,
studies have shown that having a loving pet can reduce depression, and may even
reduce the risk of heart disease.
In fact, your dog can even save your life. For example, dogs
can be trained so that they can protect their owner in the event that they have
a seizure. Dogs can also help patients recover quicker from injuries, surgery,
or various ailments.
For instance, dogs are commonly used to help patients with
their physical rehabilitation after an accident or operation. They are also
employed to help patients with their speech therapy or even their occupational
therapy.
However, the only way to ensure a strong and enduring
symbiotic relationship between a dog and their parent is for both parties to be
healthy. When a dog becomes ill, the owner may also suffer mentally,
physically, and financially.
Here, our focus will be on tips that can relieve pain for
dogs that suffer from severe diseases.
Diseases and Symptoms of Pain
When their pancreas becomes inflamed, a dog will begin to
feel very sharp pains in their abdomen. The pain that they experience is
similar to what you may experience after eating spoiled food.
Some patients describe pancreatitis as a sharp pain that
makes them think their appendix is about to burst. The condition may go away on
its own after a few days, or it may last for much longer. Severe cases of
pancreatitis will lead to death.
Obese dogs are more susceptible to pancreatitis, and certain
prescription drugs and infections may trigger the condition. Certain fatty
foods, such as table scraps or bacon, may also trigger a pancreatic episode.
If you notice that your dog is not eating, has diarrhoea, is
always tired, and winces in pain when you probe its belly, then it may have
pancreatitis.
It should also be noted that cancer is the leading cause of
death in canines. Bone cancer is one of the most painful types of cancer that a
dog can develop, and commonly occurs in larger breeds.
It tends to occur in the back and front limbs of the dog,
but may also affect the ribs, facial bones, jaw, and vertebrae of the dog as
well. Bone cancer will only become worse with time, and will lead to death if
not caught in time.
Larger and older dogs are at an increased risk of developing
bone cancer. Dogs that have been diagnosed with bone disease in the past, as
well as those that have had broken bones, are at an increased risk of
developing bone cancer in their lifetime.
If your dog seems weak, tired, and is having trouble
breathing, then it may have bone cancer. If your dog is limping, or you notice
swelling around its jaws or legs, then you should bring it to a vet as soon as
possible. A lack of appetite and pain when opening its mouth are also telltale
signs that something is amiss.
Methods to Treat Pain
Your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs of the
non-steroidal variety in order to treat your dog’s pain. Known as NSAIDs, they
work similarly to Aleve or Ibuprofen to help relieve your pain.
There are NSAIDs designed especially for canines, such as
meloxicam, deracoxib, carprofen, and firocoxib. NSAIDs are designed to reduce
joint stiffness and discomfort, as well as pain and swelling.
There are also many natural remedies, such as botanicals,
that can help relieve pain. For example, joint inflammation and pain can be
relieved with turmeric. Turmeric is a potent antioxidant, and can help
neutralize free radicals that are linked to joint damage and inflammation.
Furthermore, if your dog suffers from arthritis, then giving
it cinnamon may help provide some pain relief. The amount of cinnamon will
depend on the size of the dog and its breed, so please speak to your vet in
order to determine if cinnamon is right for your pet.
Cinnamon has some anti-inflammatory properties that may
decelerate the wear and tear of your dog’s joint tissue. Cinnamon may also
provide some relief if your dog suffers from cramps, diarrhoea, and/or irritable
bowel syndrome.
Frankincense is an essential oil that can help relieve
anxiety and nervousness. It may also augment blood flow and boost your dog’s
immune system. Moreover, it may help reduce the pain caused by external ulcers,
and some data has shown that it may reverse or stop the growth of certain
tumors.
Some exercises, such as dancing with your dog, or taking
your dog on walks across varied terrain, can also help relieve pain and
increase their flexibility and range of motion. Underwater treadmill therapy,
therapeutic exercises, and taking your dog for a swim can also help relieve
pain, especially if they suffer from arthritis.
Some pet owners prefer to use holistic forms of therapy such
as CBD oil to help treat the pain of their beloved pets. Other owners may turn
to a medicine like Metacam in order to help their dogs. Metacam is mainly used to treat
osteoarthritis symptoms in dogs, such as difficulty moving and severe pain. It
can be administered via an injection or given in a pill form.
Live Long and Prosper
When a beloved family pet becomes ill, the entire family
will suffer. Many people will mourn the loss of their pet as if it were their
child. A pet owner may become depressed, angry, or suffer from psychosomatic
symptoms, such as insomnia, fatigue, nausea, or loss of appetite, if their pet
becomes sick.
Conversely, when a dog is happy, healthy, and vibrant, their
owner will often feel the same way. A happy and healthy dog will live a
lengthier and more fulfilling life, and their owner will be able to enjoy their
love and support for longer.
Devon Graham is a blogger in Toronto. He graduated with
honours from the University of British Columbia with a dual degree in Business
Administration and Creative Writing. Devon Graham is a community manager for
small businesses across Canada. He also likes to research various topics
related to pets, food, storage solutions and business solutions.
