what can you safely give a dog with strained muscle??

Question

my jack russell chases squirells every day!! she has strained her leg and limps some.
she was jumping over a brick wall & didnt clear it today!!!
is ibuprophen safe for dogs??
what can help inflamation and strains for dogs??
id like to save a vet bill!!!
iam walking her now and trying to let her leg rest, but if she goes out off leash...she will chase the critters!!
any info greatly appreciated.
thanks.
shes 15 pounds. 3 yrs old.

Answer 1

do not give your dog ibuprofen or Tylenol, as these products cannot be metabolized through your dogs liver; thus, making him VERY sick or even die. you can, however, give your dog an aspirin once a day for about 5 days.. aspirin therapy is generally used in geriatric animals with orthopedic joint pain, but can be used short term for minor muscle strain.
if your dog shows no sign of improvement, you will have to bite the bullet and take her to the vet. there are plenty of non-steroidal anti-inflamotory drugs that are available at minimal costs.
try massaging her sore muscles, and use heat/cold therapy if she'll let you, otherwise, see how it goes in a few days. keep her mobility limited, as extra strain will only hinder recovery.
hopefully, all she has is a strained muscle. ligament tears and bilateral ligation of the knees are common injuries in smaller dogs. (these injuries will require surgery.)
good luck!
vet-tech

Answer 2

I am a pet lover too. I would suggest with a small dog like that to give them liquid childrens tylenol or baby asprin. and use the dosage that they would use for a child. then see how her leg feels, she may have hyperextented her joint (knee) and that takes a few days for the swelling to go down. So you would really need to keep her from running a lot for the next couple of days while giving her the meds with plenty of water. The water will help to flush the acids out of the muscles. (a little massage would feel good for her too, just stay off the joint) If it's not better after 3-4 days I'd say she needs to be seen by a vet, for x-rays to see if she has damaged any of her cartlidge or compramised her knee in any way.

Answer 3

Ibuprofen is not safe for dogs, or cats for that matter.
Aspirin 81mg with food once or twice a day for a couple of days.The aspirin go according to weight and your dog is a Jack russell. Of course trying to limit the dogs exercise will also help.
Also be care full to make sure that it is just a pulled muscle?
it should get better in 3 days.

Answer 4

no ibuprofen isn't safe (it can lead to liver and stomach problems) but there is an alternative remedy called Arnica Montana (in pill form NOT gel or ointment form). it shouldn't cost you more than $10 and a safe dose is 1 pill every hour. make sure the dog doesn't eat or drink for 15 minutes before giving the dog the dose. it works for my 3 chessies every time.
Good luck!!!

Answer 5

NO! no ibuprophen at all. It does damage to their kidneys. Its ok to give her a baby asprin only. for a little dogs like your I'd break it in half. 1/2 am then 1/2 pm.
If it doesnt get better in 24 hours then I'd take her to the vets. OK

Answer 6

My cat is 1 1/2 years old too!(: her doctor said to not feed her wet food anymore! And that pretty much did it! We also have to FORCE her to go outside and she plays with other kitties. If he wants in just look away.. She goes out 7:30am and back in 3pm. No food outside. We feed her healthy weight. Availible all the time. Of coarse water outside and in too. Hope this helps! Or next vet apt. Just ask.

Answer 7

Asprin for babies is fine but, do not give IBUROPHEN! Iburophen is toxic to dogs and could kill them , now for the asprin give 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night and you could be a ice pack or a hot back and alternate. Good Luck!

Answer 8

NO ibuprophen. It's toxic to dogs. Baby asprin is fine. Thay also sell asprin for dogs at Petco and Petsmart. Keep her still and limit her walks if you can, only to releive herself and do not let her run. I know Jacks are really energetic, but she won't heal unless she rests.

Answer 9

Buy yourself some Arnica 6 and Hypericum 6 homeopathic tablets. (You can buy them from a reputable herbalist and homeopthic supplier, or may be able to get them in a health shop.) Give them at least half an hour before or after food. Crush one of each tablet between two teaspoons and place on tongue. Give every 15mins for an hour, then every 1/2 hour for two hours, then every hour for four hours. Do not touch the tablets. They are not dangerous......it's just that the tablets are coated with the remedy, and touching them negates them.

Answer 10

The best thing to do is get your vets opinion. Whatever you do, do not give Ibuprofen (Motrin) or Tylenol. For pain and inflammation you can give your dog (any dog up to 30 pounds) 1/2 baby aspirin (baby aspirin is 81mg).