My dog hurt his back/neck. What can I give him for pain relief?

Ouch, poor Harper! Unfortunately, there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs (including aspirin). Try to restrict Harper to a crate or a small room with no furniture for the next week or so to prevent further injury to her neck. Only take her on a harness for a short trip outside to eliminate, but avoid a neck collar. I understand your financial constraints, but Harper really should be examined by a vet to make sure she has not sustained more severe injuries to her neck that are causing neurologic deficits. Some SPCAs or rescues have low cost veterinary clinics available. Care Credit (carecredit.com) can provide a financing option for veterinary costs. There are some non-profit groups (redrover.org is one example) that will also provide financial assistance for veterinary care if costs are a concern. Best of luck and I hope that Harper is feeling better soon!

Dogs can experience pain from a variety of health conditions, including [osteoarthritis](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/arthritis-1/),[ dental disease](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/dental-disease/), [urinary tract infections](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/utis-in-dogs/) or traumatic injuries, among many others. While it is extremely difficult to see our four-legged friends in pain, there are no safe and effective over-the-counter medications for managing pain in dogs (or cats). Over the counter pain relievers for humans, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve) are all toxic to animals. Aspirin should also not be given to dogs because it causes significant irritation and potential ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract, and it inhibits a dog’s ability to clot blood. If you think that your dog is in pain, your best bet is to take him to your veterinarian. After performing a [physical exam](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-does-your-veterinarian-look-for-during-a-physical-exam/), your veterinarian will be able to prescribe safe and effective medication. Only give pain medication to the pet for which it was prescribed due to risks with drug interactions, improper doses or contraindications with certain medical conditions. ### Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Galliprant is a registered trademark of Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.

Unfortunately there are no safe OTC pain relievers you can give Meelo. Many human ones are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. You will have to take him into the vet to get safe pain medications for him, and I recommend taking him into as soon as possible today.

Unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him. Many human ones are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. I would take Ceaser into a vet first thing in the morning. The vet can prescribe pain medication for him.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. Since he has not improved after seeing your veterinarian, I recommend that you have Romeo reevaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Romeo feel better. In the meantime, reduce his activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good night!

Unfortunately, there are no safe OTC pain relievers for dogs. Many are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. Taking Lilly to the vet is the right thing to do, and the vet can prescribe her a safe pain and inflammation reliever, such a Rimadyl.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are medications to help with back pain but none of them are over the counter unfortunately. The one thing you can do at home which is often times the most important component of medical therapy for back pain is rest him. This means limiting Buddy's activity to just walks to go to the bathroom but otherwise to keep him calm. I recommend that you have Buddy evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian can prescribe pain control medications. Good luck and have a good night!