Just like you, your canine companion can suffer from stains and sprains. Our Santa Clarita vets will go over how to tell if your dog has sprained their leg and treatment methods.
Sprain & Strains
Most people have a nebulous concept of what a sprain is. Often if your ankle hurts a little people will say they strained it and if they are having trouble walking they will say they sprained it. This is not completely accurate from a medical standpoint. A strain is a minor pulling of the muscle or tendon (the connective tissue between muscle and bone). A sprain is an injury in the ligament (the connective tissue between bones).
How to Tell if Your Dog Has a Sprain
There are two main symptoms of a sprain, lameness, and swelling. Dogs are most likely to sprain and strain their knees because it takes the brunt of the stress from moving. If the leg starts to feel feverish then you are probably not looking at a simple sprain and should take your dog in to see the vet.
Treating a Sprain in Your Dog
If you suspect your dog has a sprain the next step is to go see the vet. A lot of other health conditions can present with the same symptoms as a sprain but can have long-term consequences and are best dealt with early.
If your vet diagnoses your dog with a simple sprain or strain we recommend following your individual vet's suggestions.
One of the most common things medical professionals recommend for a sprain is rest. That means you might have to curb your canine’s activities for the near future to avoid further injuring the area in question. Resting the injury can range from crate rest to switching out going for runs to take them for gentle walks on lead.
Some of the treatments your vet may recommend include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory.
Like with humans cold packs might be recommended to bring down swelling and help soothe the injury.
Because dogs' bodies are meant to be a certain size, extra weight puts a lot of strain on the musculoskeletal system. It might be recommended to put your dog on a diet to prevent further injuries.
Cold Laser Therapy.
Cold laser therapy is non-invasive, drug-free treatment is used to treat inflammatory conditions. More recently, it has been used in conjunction with traditional medical treatments to treat soft tissue or tendon injuries. It can also be used to encourage wound healing. Cold laser therapy can help with sprains and strains by:
- Enhance circulation
- Decrease nerve sensitivity
- Reduce pain and swelling
- Speed the healing process
In addition, laser therapy has not shown any negative side effects and no sedation is required.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.