Dogs are normally very active pets, so tendon injuries can be devastating to an otherwise happy and mobile animal. A stretched tendon occurs when the dog overflexes the foot and pushes the tendon beyond its normal range of motion. A stretched tendon in your dog is much like a sprain in your own foot, causing pain, discomfort and difficulty getting from place to place. Treating a stretched tendon can be difficult, but your pet's health and well-being depend on it.
Things You'll Need
- Crate
- Treats and toys
- Ice packs
- Towels
- Leash
Instructions
How to Treat Stretched Tendons in Dogs
Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as you notice that your dog is limping. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your dog to determine whether the injury is just a strain or whether the tendon has torn, which is a much more difficult injury to treat. He may take X-rays to assess the full extent of your dog's injuries, and he will most likely prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to reduce pain and swelling while the leg heals.
Keep your dog as quiet as possible to avoid reinjuring the affected area. Set up his crate where he can be observed, and place a few of his favorite toys inside to occupy him and make him feel comfortable. Place him inside his crate, offering him a treat when he lies quietly. He will eventually learn that the crate is a safe haven for him to relax in and will not resist being crated.
Ice the injured area throughout the day to reduce swelling. Sit on the floor with your dog and hold an ice pack over the strained tendons for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Pet and praise your dog to keep him quiet and minimize struggling while you are icing the injury. If he continues to fight the ice pack, wrap it in a clean towel to make it more comfortable against his skin.
Walk your dog on the leash to prevent him from causing more damage as the tendon heals. Active dogs, especially those still in the rowdy puppy phase, will often try to overdo it and will cause more damage if they are allowed to roam freely. Only allow him outside under careful supervision until he is fully healed.
Build strength in the damaged leg slowly to allow the tendons time to warm up and stretch before heavy activity. If your veterinarian's office has a hydrotherapy plan available, take advantage of it. Water therapy is very low impact, allowing the tendon to gain strength with a minimal amount of stress. If hydrotherapy is not available, allow your dog plenty of warm up time before any strenuous activity. Begin with a few minutes of walking, gradually building up to a jog and then a few short bursts of running to let the tendons stretch and relax at a natural pace to avoid the chance of reinjury.