How to make an ice pack:
You can certainly use commercial ice packs or you can make your own ice pack at home.
The recipe below is low-cost and easy to make.
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. To be safe, put another bag around the first one in case of leakage. For a larger body part, simply multiply the amounts. 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.Danger of cold therapy Burning the skin (similar to frostbite) is probably the biggest risk of applying cold therapy to a pet. Therefore, always place a thin cloth such as a T-shirt or a pillowcase on your dogs skin, and then place the cold pack on top of the cloth. This trick will also reduce the surprise of instantly feeling cold on a sore area. Usage of cold therapy Keep the cooling device in place on the affected body part. Leave it in place for about 15 minutes, or until your dogs skin feels cold to the touch. Cold therapy can be repeated every 6 to 8 hours. If your dog displays any signs of discomfort during this process such as excessive movement, growling or biting, stop the cold therapy treatment immediately. Cold 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. Questions to ask your veterinarian
Concept of cold therapy The application of cold can significantly help reduce swelling and inflammation (a.k.a. irritation) in your dog. It relieves pain by reducing damage to muscles immediately after an injury, surgery or heavy exercise. In addition, cold therapy will decrease muscle spasms and lead to faster healing. Faster healing and less pain means a happier dog, not to mention a happier dog guardian!
Can I ice my dogs joints?
Ice can help with inflammation. If your dog has had surgery or suffered from physical trauma, the injured area will be inflamed due to increased blood flow. The inflammation causes redness and swelling. Swelling can be very painful for your dog and can lead to delayed wound healing and restricted motion.
Icing Hind Leg
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