Dr. Phil Zeltzman is a traveling board-certified surgeon from Allentown, PA. His website is called DrPhilZeltzman. He is the co-author of “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound”
Zee Mahmood a veterinary technician from Reading, PA, contributed to this piece.
The cold treatment is typically an effective, simple remedy for soreness that could result from injuries, exercise, or surgical procedures.
A concept for cold therapy the use of cold therapy can greatly reduce inflammation and swelling (a.k.a. discomfort) within your pet. It eases pain by reducing injuries to muscles as soon as they occur following surgery, injury, or intense exercise. Also, cold therapy helps reduce muscles spasms, which can lead to quicker healing. More rapid healing and less pain mean happy dogs and the dog’s owner will be happier!
The location of cold therapy
The cold therapy method is often used to treat joints:
The wrist, elbow, or shoulder at the back of the leg
The ankle, knee, and hip at the rear of the leg.
It can be applied to any body part that is prone to muscle being damaged or swollen.
Techniques for cold treatment
Editor’s Note: Make sure to check with your veterinarian to determine the appropriateness of cold therapy for your pet.
A variety of devices are able to offer cold therapy:
Ice packs made from homemade ingredients An easy homemade ice pack is made using crushed ice into the plastic bag, taking out any air that is not needed, then closing the bag.
Commercial gel- Wraps and packs of commercial gel are much more suitable for an opening. Always follow the instructions of the manufacturer on the package.
Wraps and ice packs the most basic device is an Ice pack. Its stiffness, however, is a challenge to wrap around joints such as the ankle.
Bags of frozen veggies like corn or peas The frozen bag, like corn or peas, is an easy method to create a quick and inexpensive cooling device. Make sure you mark the bag “ice packs only” with a permanent marker to make sure that no one eats it after many freeze cycles!
One of my favorite ways is mixing 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol and 3/4 cup of water in a Ziploc(r) bag, and then putting it inside the freezer. To ensure safety, place another bag on top of the one you have in case of leakage. If you want to cover a greater body part you can simply increase the quantity. This will create a slimy product that is able to confirm or mold extremely well to any body part and distributes the cold more effectively. The danger of cold treatment
The skin may be burned (similar to frostbite) is most likely to be the greatest danger when using cold therapy on pets. Thus, you should always put an extremely thin piece of cloth like a T-shirt or a pillowcase over your pet’s skin and then put the cold pack over the cloth. This method will also lessen the shock of feeling instantly cold on an area that is inflamed.
Use of cold therapy
Place the cooling device placed on the body part that is affected. It should remain in place for approximately 15 minutes or until the pet’s skin feels cold to the sensation of. The cold therapy can be repeated each 6 to 8 hours.
If your dog exhibits any indications of discomfort during this procedure, like excessive movements, groaning orbiting then stop the cold treatment as soon as you notice it.
Cold therapy can be a successful cost-effective, simple and affordable method to make your dog recover after an accident or exercise and allow them to experience more happiness and spend time with both you and your loved ones.
Questions you can ask your vet
Can I apply cold therapy to my pet?
What exact procedure do you recommend?
What cooling device do I need to use for my dog’s specific breed?
