My dog has a pinched nerve. Can I give him ibuprofen for pain tonight?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Bimbo. Motrin is very toxic to dogs so you will need to stop giving him that medication. It can cause severe kidney damage or even ulcers in the stomach or intestines. Ulcers can be indicated by black tarry or coffee grounds like stool. I suspect you were right that he is painful based on your description of his behavior. Small breed dogs can be prone to back pain. The muscles that line the spine can spasm making the dog very sore. There not over-the-counter pain medications that I can recommend for him. I would keep him very quiet and carry him as much as possible. Encourage him to eat and drink as much as possible. If there is any way he could see a veterinarian, it would be best. I hope this information helps.

It is not recommended to give pets ibuprofen. I recommend instead to call your veterinarian. They may want to see him to make sure his cranial cruciate ligament has not been injured or that a kneecap is out of place. They can also provide pet safe pain medication. Tonight keep him off the leg as much as possible. Gently massage the leg and you can apply a cool, not cold, compress. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

No, it is not safe to give Buffy Motrin, so please do not give it to her. Many human OTC pain medications are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. The only safe pain medications for dogs are available at the vet. I would have her seen by a vet first thing Monday to get pain medication prescribed. In the meantime, rest her as much as possible. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to potty on a lead only and bring her right back in when she's done. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Balto is super handsome! Yes, I think that Balto is painful. If they have a sore neck they can have a root signature (pinched nerve) and also limp. Not wanting to do steps and jump up is common with neck or back pain. If ticks are common in your area Lyme disease is also possible. I recommend that you have Balto looked at by your Vet. They can take his temperature and do a good orthopedic exam. We can also run lyme tests in house with in 10 mins. Since he is painful I would have him examined today. I treat neck or back issues with an anti-inflammatory, a muscle relaxant and additional pain medications (tramadol or gabapentin). I hope this helps and I wish Balto a speedy recovery!

The medications should help and I would continue them as well as limiting her activity. I have good success in my practice with pain relief with heat, massage, laser and acupuncture. I would check your area for an acupuncture veterinarian or a dog rehabilitation practice. They will be able to perform these treatments. Many dogs get immediate relief with acupuncture. Relieving the muscle spasms by using a heating pad and gentle massage is something you can do at home. Please do not use a collar, use a harness if you need to walk her on a leash. Unfortunately this may take several weeks to fully resolve, so seeking alternative care can speed up the healing. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

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.

Thank you for contacting Pet Coach with your question about Zeus. Please do NOT give him ibuprofen, it is toxic to dogs and have a very narrow safety margin. You could accidentally cause great harm to him if you give it to him. It sounds like to me he is in a lot of pain if he hasn't moved off the couch, won't eat or drink, and moves very slowly when you do get him down. Because there aren't any safe OTC pain medications you can give, I would take him into a vet now. The vet can prescribe pain medication for him that's safe, and can examine him to see what could be causing the pain. Have him seen by a vet immediately. I hope this helps, best of luck!