Quote: connie sutherland

The thread is about a dog's injuries.

There are still vets around who actually don't "believe in" pain management for dogs. I happen to disagree strongly and would never use that vet.

This thread started with the O.P. saying that the vet advised that the dog could "ride it out." We don't know whether this was an assessment of the injuries or a general POV. But that was part of the O.P.

What the humans on the thread feel about treating their own pain is completely off-topic.

Yes, it's my fault.

I too have broken several bones (17 to date.. including one shattered arm) I have had kidney stones, I have had gall stones, I have had skull fractures. I prefer not to use narcotics pain relief for myself either.

BUT, if my dogs are hurt, I do whatever the hell I can to relieve them. I am responsible for them, and screw the vet that tells me to let them "ride it out." If they don't have to, and I can do something to relieve them, I will do it. If I have to climb a mountain in Tibet for some rare herb, I will do it for my dogs. They have earned it.

I keep Arnica Montana and Rhus Tox on hand for my dogs in case of injury. If I know for sure there is no internal bleeding, I will give them White Willow Bark as well. The Arnica has really worked well for them in the past. I have heard good things about the HerbSmith Acute Trauma as well, but have not actually used it.

I hope this couragous dog mends well, and that dog and owner stay safe.

--Kelly

I wonder why I put lidocaine on my dog's ear when he ripped the tip of it open? I wonder why I specifically said "barely use", clearly implying that it was not a cut/dry 100% of the time situation? I wonder why nobody bothered to ask me a freaking question instead of making BS assumptions that I never treat my dogs?

When my vet says "he's fine", I trust that. You don't have to like what my vet says unless you're paying the bills.

Because you stated:

Let him tough it out.
and
Yep, my dogs tough out the vast majority their injuries, too. There's only one way to learn how to deal with pain and that is, to deal with it.
and
I'd call that being an animal. (in response to Aaron's definition of abuse)

Honestly, have you read your posts??? And now you're all pissy because people responded negatively to the abrasiveness of your posts??? Wow. Just...wow.

This is a thread about a dog, not your ego. Let's leave it at that, shall we?

 Quote: kelly at leerburg

... screw the vet that tells me to let them "ride it out." If they don't have to, and I can do something to relieve them, I will do it.

and

 Quote: connie sutherland

... There are still vets around who actually don't "believe in" pain management for dogs. I happen to disagree strongly and would never use that vet.

These are our opinions.

It really has little to do with "liking" Scott's vet, or the O.P.'s vet. I've commented (in much stronger terms than I did here) about the few vets I know who have a general POV against home pain management for dogs.

I think it's relatively uncommon. Regardless, I feel strongly about it and will probably make the comment any time I read about a vet who "has never" or "just doesn't" or "doesn't believe in" (or whatever phrase is used) suggest or prescribe or recommend home pain management for dogs.

I think unrelieved pain is actually counter to healing; pain that has run amok (that goes beyond warning "Don't do that" or "Don't use this body part now") is something that we are able now to manage, and I think that it's important (given the ability we have and the downsides of not managing pain in an animal wired not to vocalize and not to express the level of pain). We've had several threads here about it, and the pain management topic has been mentioned many times as part of the "interview the vet" protocol.

We've had a few million threads about why we wouldn't heed much nutrition advice from a vet who has no nutrition education, too. Again, members' opinions.

"You don't have to like what my vet says unless you're paying the bills" is really not what it's about.

Eep, thread explosion!

He's doing a lot better, gait is back to normal, tenderness is about gone (a little bit towards the top of his shoulderblade and the skin is a bit irritated) I let him play a bit to get rid of some energy. No frisbee (to much bounce) but a calmer game of "find the toy" outside. The ice seemed to have helped a lot, he's still on super soft pillows taking it easy.

He did have loose stool in his crate...which is ENTIRELY unlike him and I was very concerned (internal injuries, something the E-Vet missed....)...until my housemates admitted to giving him quite a bit of bacon earlier when they were cooking (need to add something else to the "don't feed this to the dog" list)....that stuff would screw up my stomach so I think it happened to be that. He's behaving normally ,not acting sick or uncomfortable, more recent stool is normal. I made sure he met plenty of friendly "strangers" today and he's still his typically aloof and non-aggressive with strange adults, teddy bear with kids (a regular around the complex has two little boys who love dogs, and are very good)

I should note this is not my usual vet who's VERY good with pain management. My vet is out of town and this is the E-Vet who's a bit rougher. However she's VERY nice and pretty good at her job. She's used to dogs who scream when they're in pain (since her practice 99% people panicing because they're dog yelped at 3 in the morning)....Ryuk doesn't do that and once I tell him to hold still (as I had to at the vet) he'll not move for anything, which can make pain identification a bit difficult.

I'm so glad he seems to be recovering well!

Excellent news! I'm very glad you both are going to live to tell the tale... Dogs can be so good at hiding pain when they don't want to appear "vulnerable" - I often worry if what appears be minor may just be a good "possum" job. You were right to try and ease his discomfort; we ALL heal better when our energy is going toward healing and not toward dealing with unnecessary pain.

Jamie,
I would say that I do not trust anyone to judge my dog except myself.

Many dogs (Bullmastiffs) don't show pain. Basher had bone cancer, why we euthed him at 8.5 yrs. Diagnosis happened in two days. Bash was fine, fine, fine. Vet says...no issues, just getting a bit old. I knew otherwise. He was slowing down, but he missed two meals and had a light cough. Lighter than our westie when he had serious congestive heart failure. Light. Xrays finally....bone cancer into his chest.

Had a antique poodle fall 12 ft and land on his back. Could not have NOT had pain. He limped a little and vet said....he is fine, doesn't need anything.

I have had/known dogs with broken bones that didn't show much in the line of pain. Obviously not a painless thing.

Dogs are animals. They are not made to show pain. Pain is weakness and weakness is not good in an animal in a social hierarchy. And well I agree that a little pain will keep them from overdoing and tearing sutures etc it is not gonna help them rest and heal in more serious cases. My vet knows and loves me...he knows my freak show of beasties. But he doesn't know them intimately enough to judge their pain levels. That is why I am gonna be the judge, not the vet. And I am gonna be the one that sleeps with them and makes sure they are okay and mothers them, not the vet.

If you think your dog needs something, do it. Convince your vet if need be. But it is you that can judge best.

I do plan on bringing him in to my normal vet when he's back, however I"m already $250 in the hole for the E-Vet (it's $100 to walk in the door, they gave me a discount on the tests but yeah, HOLY YIPES) If he was in distress I'd bring him in again now but he seems okay and is acting normally overall, he does have certain indicators for pain, none apart from slight tenderness is showing. I'd rather wait another day or so for the $40 visit XD I'm finishing up my semester which means i don't have the income I normally have and while I do my my emergency vet fund I can't refill it as quickly and need to be careful.

For now he's sleeping on my feet on his "bad" side (so I guess it's not uncomfortable to lie on anymore). I usually know when he's not feeling well as he becomes so cuddly and pathetic it's obnoxious. Apart from the poo episode earlier he's behaving normally and that was explained by the bacon (which apparently is the crappy off brand discount crap so it totally makes sense). He played with my guests tonight (Glee Night!) and rolled around without issues