Seeing our furry friends in pain can be heartbreaking, luckily helping your dog heal from a pulled muscle is not hard. Some of the signs of your dog having pulled a muscle are limping or unable to use their leg. These are some things that you can do to help your pet.
Let Your Dog Rest
After pulling a muscle, your dog needs time to rest and heal. Make a special area specifically for them so that they will feel comfortable enough to rest. Taking your dog out on slow walks should be okay (always ask your veterinarian first) but try to make sure your dog does not move around aggressively.
Use Ice Packs
An ice pack will help prevent swelling after the injury. Make sure you do not place the ice pack directly on your dog but wrap the ice pack in some sort of cloth such as a small towel before use. If you do not have an ice pack, a bag of frozen vegetables can work just as well.
Use Light Therapy
Light therapy can help tissue to heal. One light therapy tool you can use is light therapy. Light therapy uses a combination of light and frequencies to help reduce pain, reduce swelling, and promote healing with little to no side effects. It helps with healing and reduces inflammation, so your pet will feel better faster.
Use Heat to Help With the Healing Process
Using something warm (not hot) such as a rag soaked in warm water can help to increase blood flow to the area and promote healing.
Use a Natural Anti-Inflammatory for Pain Management
Using natural anti-inflammatory supplements for helping your dog manage their pain is a good route to go if you do not want to use the standard medication. Some natural anti-inflammatories that are safe for your pet are turmeric, arnica, and quercetin.
Massage the Muscle
Massaging the sore area of your dog can help speed up recovery, lower pain and discomfort, improve mobility, and help your dog use their leg more comfortably. There are many resources on the internet to help teach you how to massage your dog, or you can ask your vet.
The road to recovery for your dog's pulled muscle can be long, but using these tips can help make the recovery smooth and simple. After recovery, make sure to take measures so that an injury such as this one does not happen again such as keeping your dog active and on a healthy diet.
