can I give my dog 1/4 tab of soma?

[sher57]

Hi,
My 8 year old poodle has subluxation in the center of here back. She is crying in pain today after falling and twisting her back. We have had exrays adequin injections, she has sen a neurologist who reffered me to a chiroprator for and adjustment about 6 weeks ago which helped tremendously. She also gave me arnica , hypericum and aconidum which I have given here today to no avail. I have called the chiropractor and left a message for an appointmnt but have not heard back from her yet. I was wondering if I could possibly give her a 1/4 tablet of soma for pain safely.
Thank,
Sherry

[txsilver]

I am so sorry to read your pet is in pain.  I now nothing breaks my heart more than when my dog suffers any injury.  While there are some medicines that can be used on both humans and dogs, you need to consult a vet to verify that it is safe.  Try calling an emergency vet in your area or take your dog in to see them.  

[Jaybay]

txsilver gave you some excellent advice.  Do try to call an ER vet for advice on that question.  I don't think dogs can take soma - I do know some other human muscle relaxers are OK, but don't know about soma.  It's so powerful I would hesitate to consider it anyway.  

One thing you might try is a little bit of heat with a heating pad to increase the circulation to the area of injury.  Just a few minutes should help, and not more than 15.  Once you get her relaxed, try a litlte VERY gentle massage with the tips of your fingers.  Slowly compress the muscle in the direction it grows, from the spine and then outward.  If she seems to relax, you can go a little deeper - just watch her reaction to see if it's too much.  Massage is a wonderful thing for animals just like it is for humans.  I've used it on horses and my dogs, and you know they're in the "zone" when their heads hang down, their eyes close, and their noses start running.

You could also try benadryl to help her sleep.  The dose is 1mg per pound of the dog's weight.

You can also ask Med Help's veterinarian, Dr. Cheng, for advice on the Pet Health forum.  The link is on the right side of this page about halfway down.  Dr. Cheng practices Chinese, holistic medicine as well as traditional western medicine, and I'm sure she'll give you some great ideas for pain management.  :-)

[GSDgirl]

No soma for dogs please.  enteric coated asprin until you get her to the vet.  or better yet go back to the chiro and stick with the arnica.  I use hyalarunic supplement for my girl that has severe hip dysplasia, she is six and she is not in any pain at all.  good luck

Denise

[sher57]

Just wanted to Thank everyone for their advice about the soma. I did not give it to her ofcourse. Pebbles is much better! She was adjusted by the chiropractor- vet this morning and is taking homeopathic meds. She is tired but seems to no longer be in pain.
Thanks to all!
Sherry

[txsilver]

YEAH!  Thank you for sharing the outcome!  I hope she has nothing but pain free days from now on!  

[GSDgirl]

I was thinking about this and I have acepromazine on hand for times like these when a vet is not available.  Glad she is feeling better.

Denise