Is your dog behaving differently these days?  Is he experiencing a loss of appetite or is he less active?  If so, it’s possible man’s best friend could be experiencing some dog pain.  Animals as a general rule are very good in hiding their condition and rather than wincing in pain, they just stay put.

All concerned dog owners should be proactive about looking for certain symptoms and things just out of the ordinary . It can be a simple wound, cut, or infection. Your dog might’ve hurt its limbs while running or may have gotten into a fight with another dog. Whatever it is, it’s important you find out what the cause of the pain.The pain may actually be caused by a serious health problem. If you’re not able to detect the problem right away, it could become very dangerous for your dog.

Understanding Dog Pain

As is the case with any pet, you should keep track of your dog’s eating, playing and sleeping habits and visit your local veterinary. For simple cuts, wounds, or sprains, bandages and cold compresses should suffice.After you’ve found out what the problem is, it’s time to think about the dog pain relief options. Some problems are due to joint pain and inflammation.

Arthritis can occur to older dogs and younger dogs as well. If your dog has arthritis, it’s probably hard to see your dog limping around when you remember how lively it used to be.One way to help your dog until he starts to recover is to give him painkillers. It’s important to understand that pain killers for dogs and humans are totally different. You can get the prescription from your vet and find great deals for the medication online.

Apart from medication, it’s imperative to get plenty of exercise for your dog to keep him in optimum health. Light exercise will help build muscles and lessen the stress on your dog’s joints. Always consult your vet before engaging in any type of exercise for your dog.

.Believe it or not, dog pain relief can be found through acupuncture. Acupuncture promotes blood flow and stimulates the nervous system to fight off pain. In some situations, dog owners may not have to administer a pain killer.

For best results, the best approach is to use a multi pronged treatment. Again, start by finding out the root of your dogs pain. Examine his behavior and movements and make a mental note of all his habits. If it is, then you can follow up with a combination of diet, exercise, medication, and alternative treatments. Using the best approach, your dog can be pain free in no time and get back to his normal day to day activities.

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If you thought that separation anxiety only happens in humans, you are incorrect. Separation anxiety can also affect your dog. Fortunately, you can train your dog to get over it.

it is vital for your dog to assert his dominance as the pack leader in any type of dog training. Establishing yourself as the alpha will get rid of most of your dog’s behavioral problems. Dogs who suffer separation anxiety get upset when you leave them alone, mostly because they feel they are the alpha and need to take care of you while you are gone.

Dealing wih dog anxiety.

You also do not want your dog to be very attached to you. The more independent your dog is, the less issues he will have when you leave him alone for a long stretch of time. Have others in the home take on caring and feeding tasks for the dog, so he doesn’t only see you as his sole source of love and attention. In addition, do not make it a big deal every time you leave the house or arrive home.

It is important to utilize positive reinforcement methods so your dog can learn that it is not bad when he is alone. You need to reward good behavior and ignore his bad behavior. A good example would be for you to make your dog stay in the room, while you walk out of the room. If he stays sitting there when you leave and come back into the room, give him a treat and healthy rub on the head. He will learn that it is okay for him to be in one place and you in another.

Consistency is important, so practice this technique regularly during the day, going further and further away from your dog each time and taking longer and longer to return to your dog. Make sure to always reward him upon your return if he has stayed in place and waited patiently for you to come back.

if your dog gets up to follow you, take him back and remind him to stay there until you return. Under no circumstances should you punish your dog for not staying and following you as this will impact your training efforts in a negative way.

Whatever training you use, make sure to always utilize positive reinforcement methods.

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Lyme disease is a condition which can cause a broad range of problems in your dog.   If left untreated, lyme disease in dogs can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, or joints.  Most cases of lyme disease occur in the Northeast.   However, it can occur in practically any part of the United States.  It was first diagnosed in dogs in 1975 in parts of Connecticut but there is now evidence that lyme disease existed for many years in wildlife.   Lyme disease can occur in cats but is very rare.

What causes Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted to a dog via the bite of a tick which is carrying the bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacterium is not transferred immediately, since the tick has to stay attached for one or two days to your dog.

What are the symptoms?

There is a range of symptoms your dog can develop, once infected with this disease.  Most dogs develop a barely noticeable limp in one of the forelegs.  As the disease progresses, this limp becomes more and more noticeable.  Other symptoms include loss of appetite, fever higher than 103 degrees and swollen lymph nodes.

Diagnosis

The first step in diagnosing your dog with lyme disease is done through a blood test to detect the presence of the bacterium, borrelia burgdorferi.

What treatments are available?

Since lyme disease can cause permanent damage to your dog’s nerves and joints, it is imperative to seek treatment as soon as possible.  Depending on the level and severity of the condition, your dog will be treated with the use of antibiotics for at least a few weeks.  Aspirin may be administered to dogs who have a lot of joint pain.

What is the Prognosis?

After treatment is administered, most dogs will start feeling much better after a few days.  However, lyme disease can re-occur within weeks or months so it’s important to watch your dog closely.

Panosteitis or “Pano” is a bone disease that can affect young, large breed dogs.  It is characterized by inflammation near the growth plates in the bone, causing severe pain and leg lameness which can last anywhere from a month to 6 months.  The bones of the front leg are most often affected but It can affect the hind legs, front legs or both and the pain can shift from leg to leg.  This disease can occur in dogs from the age of 5 months to 2 years but it has also been found in dogs as old as 5 years. Typically, males are more affected than females.

What are the Symptoms?

Symptoms include a sudden, unexplained pain in the legs or pain when the legs are touched; lameness for no apparent reason;  lethargic and lack of appetite; vomiting; high fever

Panosteitis can sometimes be referred to as growing pains and wandering leg lameness.  This lameness can last from a day to a few weeks and is characterized through switching leg lameness; one leg will heal, after that another may be affected.

This disease is more common in German Shepherd dogs or dogs which are mixed with this breed. Nevertheless, many other factors can be associated with pano: diet, viral illnesses, autoimmune problems, hyperestrogen, as well as vascular problems.

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosis for Panosteitis is done through xray where it will show an increased density in the cavity of the bone, often near where the vessels enter the bone.  Pano can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because the evidence may not be present until 7-10 days after the leg lameness has occurred.

Treatment

Panosteitis is treated with pain medication, exercise restriction and diet.  Medication may consist of an anti-inflammatory, non-steroidal drug or NSAID.  Some vets may recommend supplementing dogs with glucosamine and vitamin C or an anti-inflammatory drug to keep the dog comfortable.

There are no long-term effects with panoseitis and your dog will return to a playful pup when the pain subsides.  Never assume any symptoms are considered Pano and always check with your veterinarian if you have any questions.

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