Trembling
This common symptom of pain in dogs can be caused by a wide range of conditions, such as kidney disease, arthritis, distemper, or physical trauma. It is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, vomiting, limping, or stiffness while walking. Occasional trembling or shivering can be caused by temperature changes or fear of thunder or fireworks, and you can manage these situations on your own. But chronic or extreme trembling in the body or legs should always be checked out.
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Underlying causes of pain in dogs
“Broken bones and surgery recovery are more obvious painful conditions,” says Dr Cooley. “However, less obvious and sometimes overlooked conditions such as eye, skin and ear diseases can also be extraordinarily painful for pets. Diabetic pets can also have underlying pain that should be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian.” Other conditions which can cause pain in dogs include arthritis, cancer, gastritis, periodontal disease, hypothyroidism and heart disease.
How you can help your dog when he is in pain
Once you know how to tell if a dog is in pain, the next thing to do is getting him to a vet to determine the cause and the best treatment. “In addition to traditional and mainstream forms of pain management, many new forms, ranging from physical therapy to acupuncture to massage to ultrasound also exist. Your veterinarian is equipped to partner with you on the best path forward for pain management for your pet,” says Dr Cooley.
“At-home remedies for pain are pretty much limited to aspirin,” says Dr Werber. “Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are NOT recommended for dogs. An aspirin with antacid might be easier on your dog’s stomach – the recommended dose for aspirin is one adult aspirin (325 mg) per 22-27kg of dog. So for a 13kg dog, for example, you would administer half of an adult aspirin. For dogs weighing 5-7kg, give one-quarter of an adult aspirin or one low-dose aspirin (81 mg). For dogs that weigh 4.5kg or less, administer 1/4 to 1/2 of a low-dose aspirin. Remember that aspirin should be given on a short-term basis only – two to three administrations at 12-hour intervals. If your pet seems to need more, see your veterinarian for better options and for longer-term pain management,” he adds.
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Source: RD.com
