#COLD COMPRESS FOR EYES BOOTS SKIN#

If you have any questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian - they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.

Which cooling device should I use in my particular dog?.

Which exact protocol would you suggest?.

If your dog displays any signs of discomfort during this process such as excessive movement, growling or biting, stop the cold therapy treatment immediately.Ĭold therapy is an effective, cheap and easy way to help your dog feel better after an injury or exercise, helping them to enjoy more happiness and quality time with you and your family. Cold therapy can be repeated every 6 to 8 hours.

#COLD COMPRESS FOR EYES BOOTS SKIN#

Leave it in place for about 15 minutes, or until your dog's skin feels cold to the touch. Keep the cooling device in place on the affected body part. This trick will also reduce the surprise of instantly feeling cold on a sore area. Therefore, always place a thin cloth such as a T-shirt or a pillowcase on your dog's skin, and then place the cold pack on top of the cloth. Danger of cold therapyīurning the skin (similar to frostbite) is probably the biggest risk of applying cold therapy to a pet. The result is a slushy solution that conforms or molds very nicely to any part of the body and will apply the cold more evenly. For a larger body part, simply multiply the amounts. To be safe, put another bag around the first one in case of leakage. One of my favorite techniques is to mix 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 3/4 cup water in a Ziploc® bag and place it in the freezer. Make sure you label it “ice pack only” with a permanent marker so nobody eats it after multiple thawing cycles! Bags of frozen vegetables such as peas or corn- A bag of frozen vegetables, such as peas or corn, is an easy way to have an instant and cheap cooling device.

However its stiffness makes it difficult to wrap around a joint like the ankle. Ice packs and wraps- The simplest device is an ice pack.Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the pack. Commercial gel- Commercial gel packs and wraps would fit much better around a joint.Homemade ice packs- A simple homemade ice pack can be made by placing crushed ice in a plastic bag, removing excess air, and sealing the bag.Several devices can be used to provide cold therapy: It can be used on any body part where swelling or muscle damage occurs. Shoulder, elbow or wrist in the front leg.Faster healing and less pain means a happier dog, not to mention a happier dog guardian!Ĭold therapy is most often applied to joints: In addition, cold therapy will decrease muscle spasms and lead to faster healing. It relieves pain by reducing damage to muscles immediately after an injury, surgery or heavy exercise. The application of cold can significantly help reduce swelling and inflammation (a.k.a. His website is He is the co-author of “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound” ( Zee Mahmood, a veterinary technician in Reading, PA, contributed to this article.Ĭold therapy is often an effective, easy solution to routine soreness that may accompany exercise, injury or surgery. Phil Zeltzman is a traveling, board-certified surgeon in Allentown, PA.

Cold compress for eyes boots