First aid for the dog’s soft tissue injuries
Given the energetic nature of dogs, each and every individual would be a candidate for various injuries. Broken bones, lacerations and impalement injuries, serious and simple cuts – these are only some of the pet’s injuries that a dog owner has to deal with. Dogs in pain have the tendency to hide from the human family. Owners would notice that all is not well with the pet when the pain the pet feels becomes obvious and the condition has become serious. A dog owner therefore has to have a discerning eye, to be observant, to be able to spot the injury early on. As with any kind of ailment, early detection and urgent treatment would give the dog a good chance at full recovery.
Similar to humans, dogs too can suffer from strains. 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. A lap dog or an indoor companion dog can develop muscle, tendon, ligament and joint strain too.
The running, falling or jumping movements of the dog can stretch or torn the soft tissues so that a strain would occur. 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 associated with strain will make a dog limp.
A surgical procedure may be necessary to treat recurring and serious cases of strain. A surgical procedure is necessary to repair the stretched or torn tendons and ligament so that permanent damage can be prevented. However, not all cases of strain would need a surgical procedure as rest can be the simple but effective first aid treatment that will restore the damaged soft tissues. This first aid treatment is aimed to make the strained soft muscle recover.
A collision with other animals, a fall or even the performance of the dog’s usual activities can cause a strain to develop instantly. Hot or cold therapies are administered to ease the dog’s pain. Cold compress will reduce swelling and pain. Ice cubes and a small amount of water can be placed in a plastic bag and applied on the sore muscle. The ice pack though must be wrapped in a towel because circulation will be restricted if it is applied directly to the skin.
Read all about dog first aid and strains at Sarah’s Dogs.