At home pain relief?

[MardAsSnails]

My poor old girl has somehow hurt her back leg last night running up the stairs. She's such a stoic creature - she never shows any pain unless it's really bad. She's 12 and has been slowing down on walks recently (by slowing down, I means she's now walking at a normal pace instead of galloping everywhere), but has had recent scans of her shoulders that showed no signs of arthritis.

Last night we thought we'd see how it was this morning (it was about 10:30 last night and she settled to sleep quickly), but this morning whenever she puts her foot down she squeals in pain.

We can't get her into the vets until 4:20 to get her seen, so in the meantime we've got the baby gates out and made her a den in there so she can't wander too much, and we've been sitting with an ice pack on her hip with her lying down, which seems to help her. She's got two big dog beds to lie on, and a soft bastard DH waiting on her hand and foot all day. She didn't get breakfast this morning until I'd found out what time for the vets in case she needed sedation, so of course he made her favoritism mountain of scrambled eggs for her.

Any ideas on other things to get her through the next 6 hours till we can see the vet? I hate seeing her in so much pain, so any ideas of something to make her more comfortable in the meantime would be appreciated. Thanks

As harsh as it sounds I wouldn't do anything more than you're doing as any pain relief could mask the problem when you get to the vet. Maybe try a heat pack to see if that helps more than the ice.

Is she going out to the toilet ok? If she needs help get a towel and roll it up and slide it under her belly so you can hold her in a sling to support her when she squats.

Hope it all goes well with the vet.

Have you asked the vet if they can see her earlier? Stress how much pain she is in. Don't give any medication as it may prevent the vet from giving what they feel she needs. And never ever give ibuprofen to a dog.

We tried for as early as possible, but our branch isn't open on a Saturday so dealing with a reception team who don't know her. I have no doubt that our branch would have seen her straight away if I'd said she was in pain - they know her well

I've warmed the cold pack up for a try - it's one of those hot/cold ones.

Poor thing must be sore, even the lab who just tolerates her has been going over and licking her hip when she cries

She's a back from the vets, and 4 x days later, she had no bone or joint issues with her left rear. The vet thinks she's torn a muscle that goes from her spine to her groin as she's so tender and can't move without squeaking. Poor girl.

She's got some hefty medication to take and worst of all, no walkies for 10 days and no stairs. She's gonna be really sad.

Also, the X-ray showed the beginnings of arthritis on her right hip.

She's feeling very sorry for herself after the sedation and is snuggled in her bed with her new orange hippo (because I don't have ability to leave the vets without a new toy for her).