My dog is limping. What can I give him for pain until the vet?

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Max. Poor boy! He's limping because he's in pain, and unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him. Many human ones are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. You need to take him into a vet immediately to get examined and treated. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Gojo! If you have pain and anti-inflammatory medications that are safe for dogs then using those medications and strictly resting him is all you can do. No running, jumping, stairs, on/off furniture and short leash walks only. If the limp isn't improved in 7 days he needs an exam and likely an X-ray to check for a broken bone. I wish Gojo a speedy recovery!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Arthritis can happen in older dogs as you know. However, this is not the only condition that can cause lameness like that. I do not recommend using paracetamol without a veterinary evaluation. There are other arthritis supplements that you can start which would not hurt if this happens to not be due to arthritis and if it is, they can help a good amount. There are several joint supplements out there such as Cosequin and Dasuquin, among others. I would encourage you to start with that and if no improvement is observed, Rodger should be evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day! I hope this helps!

You should let him rest and only take him out to eliminate preferably on a leash. He will need to be seen by your vet to assess the leg and why he is in pain. This could be due to arthritis, a sprain or trauma such as a cruciate ligament tear or rupture. Your vet will be able to prescribe NSAIDs suitable for dogs in order to curb inflammation and take the pain. Please take him to a vet, preferably today, before the vets close. Do not give your dog human NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen or tylenol, etc. as they are toxic to dogs.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Limping is a sign of pain. It sounds as though it is likely a strain or a sprain. The best thing to do it limit his activity because continued use will not allow a strain or sprain to heal. So no running, jumping, no stairs or jumping on/off the furniture and leash walks only for at least 7 days. If the limp doesn't improve with in those 7 days Shadow should be seen by a Vet or sooner if it worsens. It is not wrong to have Shadow seen sooner than later as well. Do not give any human pain medications, dogs do not metabolize drugs like people do and they may interfere with medications your Vet may want to prescribe. I hope this helps and I wish Shadow a speedy recovery!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Charlie! Causes of limping can be just from a strain or a sprain, but other causes could be fracture or ligament tear. If resting doesn't resolve the limp I recommend having your Vet examine Charlie. I do not recommend giving him any human OTC pain medications. I hope this helps and I wish Charlie a speedy recovery!

Unfortunately there are no pain relievers you can give Roxy. Many human ones are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe.