Ok, I need some advice in a hurry. My dog (85 lbs, doberman mix) got hit by a car. His left rear leg is pretty bad, some bad punctures in the skin, but no broken bones. He has road rash on his "undercarriage" too. The vets isnt open till monday morning. I have done what I can for the leg. I am praying for no internal bleeding, no blood is showing on the rear, and (he did throw up right after being hit) no blood in the vomit. Hes able to move around, but isnt walking on the injured leg. He will drink water and is holding it down. Is there any pain meds (aspirin, tylonel or something) that I could give to him thats both people and animal friendly? Hes hurting pretty bad. Thanks in advance!

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 09, 2002

Answers

Asprin is okay for dogs, sorry I don't know the dosage. For that size dog I would assume 1 tablet to start with.

-- Leslie in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), February 09, 2002.

Kevin, our vet has an emergency number. Yours might also have an answering service so you could at least talk to him and get advice. He may even agree to open up for you. Try calling the regular number and see if it gives you any help. Good luck.

-- Maureen in GA (volfamily52@aol.com), February 09, 2002.

Called his emergency number, he said it would be big bucks to bring the animal in on an emergency, but, the best he could do is give some antibiotics on Mon morning, and to stabilize the dog until then. He did not want to give out any advice over the phone on "what to do." My guess is liability. I can't bring the dog in, we did this once before bc one dog got bit by a black widow. The charges were 750 dollars, and they worked on the dog for a little under 1 hour. Get real, I bought my truck for 550 and had to finance the thing for 2 weeks! Im giving him the aspirin, thanks for that tip. Wasnt sure if it would be OK or not.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 09, 2002.

Kevin-try to call your vets emergency number. I read just the other day-I'm sorry I can't remember now, but that some otc meds were terrible for your pet-I think Tylonal was one-I remember being surprised by that. Your vet could probably recommend somthing over the phone.

-- Kelly (KY) (Homearts2002@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.

1 aspirin down the hatch.

-- Kevin (vantravlrs@aol.com), February 09, 2002.

Aspirin has good anti-inflammatory effects (reduces swelling), some analgesic effects (reduces pain) and antipyretic action (reduces fever). A 60 to 80 lb dog can be given one tablet twice a day (every 12 hours) or 1/2 tablet three times a day (every eight hours). A 30 to 40 lb dog gets half as much A baby aspirin is 62.5 mg. and a regular aspirin is 325 mg. Aspirin becomes toxic at doses of 60 mg./kg.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.

Kevin-I'm sorry, I posted my post before I was able to read that you called the vet. $750! good grief, I had no idea it was that much! Our vet will give advice over the phone, at least somewhat. I hope the asprin helps, best wishes for you and your dog-I trully hope he's ok.

-- Kelly (homearts2002@yahoo.com), February 09, 2002.

So far so good. Hes drinking more water. Warming him near the woodstove. Hes not an indoor dog (though is very mannerly). This is a 'great treat' for him to be inside, he keeps looking at me like he knows im trying to help. Thanks for the help, im going to sign off for the night. THANK YOU GUYS!

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), February 09, 2002.

Dogs can't have regular asprin. They need a buffered version, Ascription or Bufferin. Do not give tylenol or ibuprofen. Good luck I am sure your vet must have an emergency number.

Good Luck, Susan

-- Susan in Minnesota (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), February 10, 2002.

Aspirin also has a slightly sedative effect, so that will help calm him, too. Poor dog! Hope he feels better soon.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), February 10, 2002.

In the past, our vet has recommended baby aspirin for inflammation & pain - apparently it's easier on their stomach -

-- hmm (h.m.metheny@att.net), February 10, 2002.

Scroll down to older messages, to petcare, to FYI:Common medications for dogs. Excellent post there. Whatever, don't use Tylenol or aceteminophen(generic name). Its toxic to dogs. I hope your vet at least told you that. Good luck. Ouch, he must be sore.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), February 10, 2002.

Kevin,

My Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Cats and Dogs, says... For lowering fever and relieving minor aches and pains in dogs, give one- quarter of a 325mg tablet for every ten pounds of body weight once or twice a day. And make sure it is buffered aspirin. Hope this helps with dosage. Good luck and keep us informed. Kim :-D

-- Kim in Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), February 10, 2002.

Try giving him some broth instead of water and have it warm .It will give him some calories.Keeping him warm and quiet is great .Start him out with lighter foods , rice and chicken would be good in small amounts so not to over load the system .Good luck.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002.

Remember that aspirin thins the blood and can make bleeding much worse. So sorry to hear about your dog and hope he's better now. I would consider a change in vets if yours wouldn't even tell you about aspirin, and he's expensive too! I know he might be the only vet around though and if he is, then you're stuck. Our vet will not only do emergencies, but he will come out to the farm too on Sundays at midnight if I need him. and he doesn't charge an arm and a leg either, usually just double the trip charge, ie. about $60 for a weekend call to come out. But the work that is performed is the same price - he doesn't jack up the cost just because it is a weekend.

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), February 10, 2002.

My pitt bull is 58 lbs and my vet told me to give him one asprin a day for his hip displasia. You can also buy doggie buffered asprin at petsmart, or probably petco, if there is one near you. Good luck.

Also, my stepdads doberman got hit, and it broke his leg, because of his size, they had to put a titaniuim steel plate in his leg...cost over $1700. You are very lucky! As long as he is eating and drinking, I believe he will be fine. just get him on those antibiotics.

-- Angela (Daizy_73@hotmail.com), February 11, 2002.