What to do for a strained muscle?

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3Stars

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At an agility trial today, in the middle of a jumpers run, I noticed Starr's gait seemed "off". I pulled up immediately, and both myself and the judge noticed he was favouring his front right leg. I pulled him from all of his classes and brought him to the K9 Massage Therapist, who said it felt like he strained a muscle in his elbow region (I forget the muscle). She gave him a really good massage/stretch, and I gave him a Traumeel pill right after the appointment and another one about an hour ago. I've also had his Back on Track jacket on and he'll be on crate rest for at least the next 48 hours.

Any other suggestions? :confused2:
 
When F-kap strained a muscle in his hind leg I made he take it easy for about a week and a half and gave him regular massages and stretches (about 3 to 4 times a day). Hope Starr gets better soon!:hugs
 
Cadbury pulled his hip recently. The vet put him on Rimadyl (anti-inflammatory) and told me to rest him for a week and then gradually built up his exercise again. He doesn't do agility now, but if he did I would give a little longer to rest and then run him on low heights until I was happy he was ok.

If he will accept it you could heat a water bottle or one of those microwaveable beanbags and put it in his crate for him to lie on. Very soothing on sore muscles, but no guarantee he will appreciate it!

Hope Starr is much better soon
 
Crate rest can do more damage than good. Dog has to be able to move freely.
Limiting activities, removing jumping, running and walking stairs is what our chiro vet suggests and what we do. Application of ice helpful within first 24-48 hrs.
I might attempt light massage at home but for the rest I trust professionals, as it is VERY easy to do more damage doing stretching on your own.
Am very lucky to have fantastic chiro DVM and massage therapist with gold hands.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/10_3/features/Dog-Injuries_15914-1.html
 
Rest after the initial diagnosis, but keep doing walking and normal light activity. Try to keep from all out running (fetch, etc.) and then slowly build back up.
 
My Lucky is a wild man, slid on ice, and he was fine in two days. The vet gave him an anit-inflamatory pill. Lady did something and she was fine in a couple of hours. I think the way she jumped off the bed she jammed her one paw. They are both careful now. Lucky learned you don't just go flying out the door. My little wild man.

Its amazing how they bounce back quickly.
 
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