First aid treatments for canine strain

Given the energetic nature of dogs, each and every individual would be a candidate for various injuries. A dog owner has to learn how to deal with unexpected emergency situations as dogs can have broken bones, suffer from lacerations, minor and serious cuts and impalement injuries. Dogs have the tendency to hide their injuries. A dog owner will become aware of the injuries when the dog fell seriously ill and when treatment may not do much to help the pet. It is therefore necessary for a dog owner to know the normal appearance and the normal behavior of the pet so that any sign of injury can be easily seen. As with any kind of ailment, early detection and urgent treatment would give the dog a good chance at full recovery.

Strain that happens to people can occur in dogs too. Otherwise known as soft tissue injury, tendon, ligament, joint or muscle strain is more common in large breeds and in athletic dogs. Strain develops more often in arthritic dogs, working dogs and overweight dogs. However, this does not mean that a pampered home companion or a lap dog can’t have this painful injury.

The normal contracting and relaxing movements of the soft tissues would be changed when the dog jumps or runs and a strain will develop because the pressure either stretched or torn the soft tissues. Stretched and torn soft tissues will be inflamed and swollen. The injury sustained will cause the dog to put little pressure or not to put pressure on the strained muscle. The pain will make the dog limp or to favor the injured leg.

Surgery may be necessary for recurring and serious soft tissue injuries. This medical procedure of repairing a torn tendon or ligament is necessary to prevent long time damage. To restore the damaged soft tissue, the dog owner only has to let the pet rest the injured body part. Rest is supposed to make the strained tissues recover.

Strain resulting from a fall, from a collision with other dog or from overdoing an exercise can flare up quickly. Hot and cold compress is the common first aid treatment for a strain. Cold compress will reduce swelling and pain. An ice pack can be made from a few ice cubes and water and placed in a plastic bag. The ice pack must not be place directly to the skin as cold restricts circulation thus it must be wrapped in towel.

Read all about dog first aid and strains at Sarah’s Dogs.