How to Treat a Pulled Muscle in a Dog

Limping in dogs can be caused by a pulled muscle, arthritis or other joint problem; tendon or ligament problems; disc problems; or blood borne pathogens. Pulled muscles are the easiest and least expensive to treat. A pulled muscle feels hot or tight. Dogs typically injure the muscles running along the ribs and back and over the haunches. Anti-inflammatory painkillers along with 3 or 4 days of cage rest is the most common course of treatment for a pulled muscle.

Things You'll Need

• Ice Pack
• Two Sandwich Bags
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Water
• Thin Cloth
• X-Ray
• Anti-Inflammatory Drug
• Cage

Instructions

1. Do a quick evaluation of your dog. Gently pressing down starting at the neck, run your hand down your dog's back and over his sides. Run your hand down each of your dog's legs. You are looking for tenderness, swelling and an area warmer than the surrounding tissue.

2. Apply a cold pack to the pulled muscle while waiting to take your dog to the veterinarian. If you don't have a cold pack you can make one by filling one sandwich bags with a mixture of 1/3 rubbing alcohol to 2/3 water, and freeze. Place in a second sandwich bag and wrap in a thin cloth. Apply to the pulled muscle for 20 minutes. Wait 20 minutes before re-applying the icepack.

3. Take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet will do a lameness exam. He will have you trot your dog going away and coming towards her. Your vet will examine your dog for heat, swelling and tenderness in the muscles and joints. Your vet might take X-rays of the affected area. Your vet might do a series of blood tests for Ehrlichia, Lyme disease and other blood borne pathogens that can cause lameness.

4. Your veterinarian will prescribe anti-inflammatory painkillers like Rimadyl or Previcox. If Lyme disease or another pathogen is suspected, your vet may also prescribe antibiotics and steroids.

5. Place your dog on cage rest or confinement for several days. The cage rest gives your dog's body a chance to heal and minimizes the risks of your dog making the injury more severe. Even if you have a fenced yard, while your dog is on cage rest you will need to keep him on a leash while he is outside relieving himself.

Tips & Warnings

• Introduce new activities slowly. You need to increase your dog's fitness over several days or even weeks. Many Humane Societies and animal shelters offer low cost Veterinarian care if cost is an issue.

• Never try to examine a dog if he is growling or snapping when touched. Never give your dog aspirin without first consulting your veterinarian. Prescription anti-inflammatory drugs cannot be given if your dog is on aspirin. Reoccuring lameness or lameness that lasts several days or weeks could be a sign of more serious joint, disc or tendon problems.