Pain, Pain Go Away (Gradyupmybutt) -- UPDATE

Annie, I have no advice, you've done what you can till a Vet can see him.  Give him a gentle, soothing rub for me.  Hopefully the other acupuncturist will call you back soon.  Aspen sweetie, feel better soon.

Poor Aspen. 

I use White Flower Oil on my guys when they have sore muscles.  I'm not sure how it works on disc issues, though.  Hopefully, the other acupuncturist will call you soon. 

Give Aspen some very gentle lovin from me.

 Oh Aspen you poor boy, I would think the heat would feel really nice - I have heard that the white flower oil is very helpful but never tried it.

sending some feeling better vibes his way!

Western PA -- you probably don't have a Whole Foods or Wild Oats or anything near you?  Do you have even a grocery store? 

Peppermint or wintergreen *essential oil* (or any good blend) would be awesome.  Best topical anti-inflammatory EVER.  But if you can even get to a grocery store:

chammomile tea (man, how do people LIVE without that in their cupboard?) -- brew it strong and add it to Aspen's food (wet herbs too).  Brewed strong (1/2 c water - 1 or 2 bags) give her 1/4 cup + half herbs at least twice a day.  It's a minimal nsaid but VERY helpful and not at all hard on the tummy.

valerian root, OR passion flower, OR St. John's Wort OR, if you can find it Oat Seed (or sometimes called "milky oats";)

[use *none* of those at the same time, but ANY of them singly]***

But even on a dog the size of a pap, the adult human dose works fine (or half of that if you want to build up to it). 

When there is pain, there is ALWAYS tension.  It's a natural result of pain.  But tension will cause muscles to contract and put more pressure on sore areas, so you relax those and it helps reduce pain.  They aren't a painkiller -- simply a relaxant to help avoid pain and therefore let any nsaid you give work better.

I wouldn't give a dog that size aspirin (and you know Tylenol-type stuff, a/k/a acetaminaphin, is !!! POISON!!! right?) -- aspirin - even little doses, can cause gastric bleeding.  Even willow bark (which is what aspirin is actually derived from ultimately) is darned strong for a little dog and will/can cause gastric bleeding.

If the vet prescribes a big nsaid (Rimadyl, Deramaxx) give milk thistle to help protect the liver.  IF the vet prescribes pred (and they just might and it might be the right thing here) DEFINITELY give milk thistle.  Twice the adult human dose of it twice a day.  Milk thistle is pretty benign tasting - you could probably mix it in food and get away with it if caps are a problem.

*** I always put that caveat -- you'll find relaxant 'blends' sometimes that will combine them -- but it's always in tiny amounts, NOT normal doses -- they can **conflict** with each other and cause the opposite to happen in a big way)

Thanks so much everyone.  I think the good thoughts are working to some degree.  I had a wonderful & information filled conversation with Callie.  I'm so glad she typed all the information down because I didn't take notes. :o)

A & I are going to go snuggle under a blanket, watch the Eagles lose & share some peppermint oil (all I have right now).

gradyupmybutt

I'm also warming up some heating pads that I got at the last dog show I went to.  Thanks for reading.  I just feel so horrid for him & am open to any ideas you may have. 

gradyupmybutt

watch the Eagles lose

Ummm, yeah, it's not looking too good right now :(. I'm sorry Aspen isn't feeling well but hopefully the extra cuddle time and peppermint oil will help.

I second the ice -- they don't like it (it hurts) but it's better than heat at first).

Oh I'm so sorry.  I have seen first hand how painful those slipped discs can be.  Buster has one in his neck and I have always hated seeing him in pain when he does something to upset it.

Get some rest Aspen!  Feel better soon.

Krissim Klaw

Are you sure you shouldn't be using ice instead?  Can't speak of dogs, but my mom also has some issues with a few disks in her back, and her doctor always has her use ice for the first few days after a flare up to help prevent and reduce the swelling around the spine/nerves while providing some pain relief.  At the same time he has her avoid using heating pads the first 48-72 hours since while they relax everything, they can also encourage swelling with a freshly aggravated injury.

Yes, you're right.  Thanks you for catching that.  Ice it is.

These little heating pads are cool though.  They're reuseable.  Basically they are in a holding pattern until I need them.

 Sending healing and noninflammatory vibes directly to Aspen's back! Feel better soon, little guy!

Good vibes going out to you Aspen!

Aww Aspen, get better littleboy. Gets lots of sleep and yummy treats.