we tried to avoid pain killers so he wouldn't feel comfortable enough to try to walk on it.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~Confucius
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pain associated with an ACL injury or similar is called "self-limiting" meaning just what was said; it limits use of the limb by the patient. I would give aspirin just after an injury suspected to be muscular to reduce immediate swelling but then I would not give pain meds 'for maintenance' while resting that limb. Pain meds given to boost healing after surgery is an entirely different matter.

None of us likes to hurt and we certainly don't want our loved ones to hurt--especially our 4 legged babies. However just like a fever, pain has a purpose. Most dogs are very stoic and it takes a lot of pain before they show it. (except for our big babies who know they will get special attention from Mom if they have a hurt. Amazing how the hurt can disappear or become considerably less at the vets!) The purpose of pain however is a warning--something is hurt and it needs to be protected. As long as it hurts--a leg for example--the dog will try to protect it by either not using it (holding it up, no weight bearing) or limping (favoring the leg by using it as little as possible.) If you give a med for pain--and therefore take away the pain--the dog will no longer try to protect the injury. I am not talking about severe pain--a vet visit is in order then. But I would think twice before medicating for mild to moderate pain. Also there is not a drug that doesn't come with side effects. Just listen to the list of side effects during the commercials on TV for a medication--diarrhea, vomiting, flu-like symptoms, and in rare cases, death.

Miriam Olesen
http://www.omegabulldogs.shutterfly.com/

Buffered aspirin, one should do it. And crate rest for at least a week to let that tear heal if that is what it is. Just leash walks outside for potty and right back in the crate. They hate it, but it is the best thing for them:-)

Amy and Sophia

Poor guy!