What to use for pain and stiffness

You are *not* a bad mom!! You just have a puppy that likes to drive you crazy!

Rimadyl was used on my last boxer Max for his leg pain but I hated using it. It has been awhile but if I remember correctly, you have to bring your dog in for routine liver or kidney (??) tests because Rimadyl affects it.

I have always been told that baby aspirin was safe to use for dogs. I am not sure how much since I have never given any to Marley, but here is a website with pretty good information

http://schoolforchampions.com/animalhealth/aspirin.htm 

Here is the chart

Dyan, I would not give Gibby anything OTC without consulting your vet.  Rimadyl or something of the like (Deramaxx) can be beneficial in the short term and you can offset liver damage by using milk thistle.

Baby aspirin, the chewable kind, I believe contains Xylitol which you DO NOT want to give him.  Low dose aspirin is very popular now for adults and comes as a tablet, so if your vet were to give you the go-ahead, that may be an option.  The low dose aspirin is the same at 80mg.

Acupuncture or herbals may be an option, though I would not do any of it, esp. the meds, without a vet's advice.

I have searched everywhere and I havent found anywhere stating that baby aspirin contains xylitol.

Here is a website (although not comprehensive) that lists products with xylitol in it

http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Sugar-Free_Products_Warnings#Prescription_Medications_Containing_Xylitol 

Bayer Children's chewable aspirin contains saccharin, which may not be safe for pets either (I've seen conflicting info).  Other chewables may contain some other sweetener. 

Again, I can't stress a veterinary consult enough. 

His feet licking might be grass allergies--we're full into it here because of a kind of grass that goes to seed right at this time of year. If he's itchy, asking/making him stop licking is like asking me to stop scratching if I have bug bites--it's not going to be pretty if I can't get something to put on the bites.

One wants to respond to pain/itching, etc. It's the means we use to try to alleviate the problem if other means aren't available.

For stiffness--do check with the vet for medication options, and perhaps get a second opinion/consult. Is there anyone at Ohio State's vet school who specializes in large breed dogs? (There are dermatology specialists on staff, too.) Or maybe Purdue U's vet school? Not sure if either are near you, but it might even be worth a consult.

Edit: spelling

sharismom

Again, I can't stress a veterinary consult enough. 

Of course Tina is right about this! Please, dont ever think I am trying to tell you to use this. I am just stating things I have either heard or read. Even if I was to have first hand experience with something and it works for my dog, doesnt mean it will work for yours.

Aspirin is "ok" for very occasional use, but the reason the vet says 'no' is because it **does** cause stomach bleeding (and in some more quickly than others).  And honestly for something like a sore foot it's not going to help a whole lot. 

However -- stuff that *will* help topically -- **occasionally** I use Neosporin "Pain" -- dogs can be sensitive to one of the topical antibiotics, but it's typically ok and it **does** dull that topical pain a whole lot

The other thing I use as a topical "go to" is aloe.  I keep the gel on hand at home (I get it from my vet actually - it's 100% aloe with no perfumes, emollients, etc. in it). 

 You could also safely SOAK the paw in some chamomile tea -- that will take some of the soreness out and reduce some of the inflammation.  It's just good first aid.

 Rimadyl wasn't 'made' for dogs.  It's carprophen which was invented for humans, but it caused too much renal/liver damage and the FDA rejected it for human use, so they marketed it for dogs instead.  Tina's right -- milk thistle goes a long way but it's really not going to do a whole lot for a topical sore.

But Dyan -- pretty please back up on this whole thing -- if Gibby is licking THIS much and he's doing it out of sheer nervousness, you honestly need to address that specifically.  That means he's pretty wound up most of the time -- that's going to have all sorts of **other** side effects eventually.  That sort of angst is where things like ulcers and such come from. 

 If it were me, I'd be concerned.  You and I have talked before about seeking holistic help -- but you have to be willing to coach them enough before hand so they know what you're expecting, and you may have to have him seen more than once and develop a relationship with a vet in order to really get to the bottom of this.  In other words, the whole point of "holistic" is treating the "whole" animal (mind, body, spirit) and you don't just hand out a fix-it-all type pill for such a thing usually -- they have to try to address the issues they see, before they just plop them on any sort of calming sort of thing.  They (ANY vet) have to evaluate first if it's potentially something physical before they jump to the emotional/mental stuff.  And you really don't just want him sedated, I'm assuming.

 Obsession can be something that is merely habit ("I do this when I'm stressed and have nothing else to occupy my time";) or it can be deeper than that.  But obsession will worsen if it's not addressed.   

  Poor Gibby; I'm so sorry he tore his paws; ouch!

   The stiffness is probably because he's not used to running as much as he was when he was playing ball. A few days of rest should be enough to take care of that. Then if you still want him to play ball, start by doing it for just a few minutes and gradually increase the amount of time. Jessie sometimes gets a little sore at her age, and when she does, I gently massage her the area instead of giving her Rimadyl. My vet said that's fine.

  I agree with Callie about his licking; you need to see a vet. Jessie used to go to a dermatologist at Purdue. She was wonderful and a tremendous help but we don't see her anymore because the vet I have now is very good at treating allergies. A few years ago, Jessie was chewing her feet because of food allergies. I was feeding her fish and rice while waiting for Monica to formulate her diet for pancreatitis. I knew she was allergic to salmon but didn't know that fish allergies are cross reactive; being allergic to one species likely means you're allergic to all fish. Anyway, my vet prescribed chlorhexidine soaks, which are effective for bacteria and yeast, and it worked. If Gibby's licking his paws because of environmental allergies, a short term course of steroids would really help. Determining if it's allergies or anxiety may take time. I think a dermatologist, regular, or holistic vet can help you. The key is to find someone who doesn't just want to prescribe steroids or tranquilizers, but will take the time to find out whats' really bothering Gibby;(((hugs))).

I keep Tramadol and Prevacox on hand and use as needed.  Tramadol is a pain killer and the Prevacox is like Rimadyl...an nSaid.  I wouldn't give baby aspirin.  If you must give them a human pain reliever make sure it is Bayer aspirin.  Pure aspirin...making sure you read the ingredients and that it is pure....no Acetaminophen at all.  And, like we always say, be sure to follow up with milk thistle to protect the liver.

All this said to relieve the pain of the split paw...poor boy.  Instead of something oral....see if neosporin with pain releiver will help...you'll likely need to wrap it for a little while to keep him from licking it off.  Can you apply it, wrap it then give him a chewy of somekind to get his mind off of it to give the medicine time to work?

It does sound like you have other unlrelated issues to deal with...I hope Gibby can find relief from the pain as well as the obsessive licking.

jessies_mom

      I gently massage her the area instead of giving her Rimadyl. My vet said that's fine.

I do this with Marleys hips because they get sore from time to time from over exercising or strenuous activities. He is only 2.5 but when I had his hips xrayed at a year old, I believe it was the left (?) side that was a bit shallow. He seems to thoroughly enjoy the massages too

First of all thanks to each of you guys that took the time to answer..I so appreciate it.

To those that mentioned it, I did take him to the vet..he prescribed medicated wipes and Resortin ointment ( nystatin-neomycin combined with other names ) which is a tube the size for a chihuahua instead of a Great Dane.  BUT that is the stuff that as soon as I put it on him he starts licking when he wasn't licking. So that was kind of counter productive.   No..not sure if its allergy to food, outside ( which is what the vet kind of guesses ) boredom or neurotic...since he loves to lick anyway.  Probably a little of a few things.

His torn pads bled a little the first day that he did it...but have stopped...but I am watching him with our walks for a few days.  Can't tell if he is walking a bit stiff or not...watching that carefully.

I was looking for something that could help temporarily for a little ache or pain. If we walked too much..or played to much we might take an Advil..... I was asking if there was any safe OTC thing for that...not a long term pain reliever.  My vet would say Rimadyl and Rimadyl only...that it was made for animals...but we all know better than that....if I HAD to use it for something big I would....but not for this sort of thing. I would not used it on him for his neuter much less a sore leg or joint.  Again...I was looking to take the edge off if there was an edge to take off...it seems there is. It wasn't a big deal...just know years ago I wouldn't think twice of giving him an aspirin....just checking now with my knowing dog friends.

Janice... I take him once a month at least to my sisters who has lot of land...he runs and runs and runs....he is a maniac you might say.  No.... he does't do it every day...but we can't get  him to stop when we are there.  I was just there last week and he spent the whole time trying to get us outside to throw the ball to him. Stood in the kitchen and stared at us and every time we got up he ran to the door like we were going to take him out there.

Callie..I'm not beyond taking him back to the holistic vet...but want to at least go there with at least a good guess as to what it is.   Since we are changing seasons and so many people are complaining about their dog doing this...I have to at least try to figure this out.  By the way Callie...my sister in law that lives in Florida house sits dogs....one dog had the same thing and they took him to a holistic vet who game him TEA PILLS and an aloe vera liquid to bathe his feet.... said it went away right away!

Vets are people, and they all have different opinions.  Mine says buffered aspirin (Bufferin or generic) is fine, and that it's what he gives his own dogs for the occasional ache, strain or sprain.  The dosage range is 5 to 10 mg. per pound of body weight and it can be given every twelve hours as needed.  I'd always start with the lowest dose.

dyan

I take him once a month at least to my sisters who has lot of land...he runs and runs and runs....he is a maniac you might say.  No.... he does't do it every day...but we can't get  him to stop when we are there.  I was just there last week and he spent the whole time trying to get us outside to throw the ball to him

Dyan, does he lick when he's tired out from a trip to your sister's place?. It could very well be that he has more than one problem, as has been suggested.  Dog who are bored often have behaviors like excessive licking or meaningless barking and others. The running may have helped him use the energy he normally uses licking.  On the other hand,  if it's an environmental allergy, the allergen may not be present at your sister's.  You might want to start a journal, if you haven't already. Record what he eats, drinks, activities, elimination, anything that might seem relevant.  If you are going through a stressful time, he could be reacting to that.  I feel for you because I understand how hard it can be to find out what's going on with our dogs sometimes. 

Your a great dog mom. 

calliecritturs

sore.

But Dyan -- pretty please back up on this whole thing -- if Gibby is licking THIS much and he's doing it out of sheer nervousness, you honestly need to address that specifically.  That means he's pretty wound up most of the time -- that's going to have all sorts of **other** side effects eventually.  That sort of angst is where things like ulcers and such come from. 

 If it were me, I'd be concerned.  You and I have talked before about seeking holistic help -- but you have to be willing to coach them enough before hand so they know what you're expecting, and you may have to have him seen more than once and develop a relationship with a vet in order to really get to the bottom of this.  In other words, the whole point of "holistic" is treating the "whole" animal (mind, body, spirit) and you don't just hand out a fix-it-all type pill for such a thing usually -- they have to try to address the issues they see, before they just plop them on any sort of calming sort of thing.  They (ANY vet) have to evaluate first if it's potentially something physical before they jump to the emotional/mental stuff.  And you really don't just want him sedated, I'm assuming.

Licking is a vicious circle.  It really doesn't matter in the end why they are licking...because once they start like this, licking makes it worse. If its allergies...I guess I will find out if it clears up and comes back next fall season...although the girl that owns our Camp BowWow where he was today said her dog does this both Spring and Fall.  He could be licking because of boredom or anxiety....(since he does kind of have seperation anxiety)....or allergies and also just plain because he likes to.   Since this is his first time that he has done this...I don't know...will need time to figure it out.  I am hoping to not have to go to an E collar or something like that to make anxiety worse.