Is Your Dog Experiencing Back Pain?

When it comes to back pain, we are not the only ones who suffer—dogs suffer as well. With this specific kind of pain, many factors and conditions play a role. Sometimes your dog's pain may be physically noticeable, but what about other times when you are not so sure? Your dog does not speak “human”, but they have a voice that should be heard.

There are a few reasons that cause back pain, including age, genetics, and at times, injury. Some conditions do not require as much attention, such as sprains or strains but disorders such as Spondylosis and Intervertebral Disc Disease usually require surgery.

Spondylosis is a disease that develops in older dogs; The vertebrae will grow bone spurs that cause pain for your dog and lead to limited mobility.

The more familiar cause of back pain is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) which relates to a herniated disc or bulging disc. Signs of IVDD are as follows: Neck and/or back pain, no willingness to lift the head, limping on front limbs (either one or both), panting, and shivering—in severe cases that would lead to a medical emergency, dogs may experience shortness of breath or paralysis in limbs.

Symptoms of Back Pain in Dogs:

• Yelping or crying during contact.
• Exhaustion.
• An increase in pacing behavior.
• Changes in posture.
• No motivation to walk, rise, or even move their head.
• An “arched” back.

If your dog's back pain is unbearable and home remedies are not working, you should speak to your veterinarian to diagnose the cause and prepare a treatment regimen.

How To Manage Your Dog’s Back Pain:

1. To provide quick pain relief, your veterinarian can assist in prescribing pain relievers and nutritional supplements to ease the pain your dog may be feeling. A supplement that has been proven through clinical trials that we have had positive experience with is Steadfast Canine by Arenus®.
2. Physical Therapy not only speeds up the body’s natural ability to heal, but it helps all parts of the body through strengthening core muscles.
3. A nice, relaxing massage for your dog not only assists you in looking for anything that may be unusual such as lumps or bumps, but this will help you bond with your dog as well.
4. Some essential oils through Aromatherapy can be beneficial in enhancing your dogs’ comfort—One of the most well-known oils is peppermint. It serves as a natural anti-inflammatory and creates a calming effect. Peppermint oil can be taken by mouth or on the skin, but you need to exercise caution as this is a hot oil. Be sure to educate yourself fully prior to using essential oils on yourself or your animals. * The recommended dose for large dogs is 3-5 drops unless it mentions otherwise on the label. You can use 3-5 drops for smaller dogs, but make sure you dilute it between 80-90% before application (i.e., for every drop, dilute it with 4-5 drops of a vegetable oil complex).
5. Extra pounds will put even more pressure on your dog's spine. Weight should be monitored for your pet.

When it comes to our dogs, we naturally want them to feel their best. Most of us will do everything in our power to eliminate their pain. If your dog suffers from back pain, The Benefab® Canine Comfort & Care Suit will not only be breathable and comfortable for your dog, but will assist with the pain and discomfort that comes from back and hip pain. The suit will help harmonize bodily functions safely and naturally, stimulating recovery time, promoting blood circulation, increasing oxygen flow, and ultimately reducing pain and stiffness.