my dog is in pain -- can I help him?

Exact duplicate of what I posted on the dog forum -- but I'm trying to help him tonight -- any info would be appreciated:

Our 12 yrold Rottie-Sheperd cross got hurt somehow on the driveway tonight. Maybe he slipped on the ice? I dunno. I didn't see it, but I heard him yelping. He has been in pain ever since. About 5 hours now. He is not yelping of course anymore, but definite pain. If he is no better tomorrow I will see if I can get him to a vet, but most are closed here on weekends and I may not be able to get him in until Monday as this wouldn't be considered an emergency here

He is limping and apparently unable to lie comfortably for more than about 45 minutes -- at which point he stands, moves abit and then lays down again. The pain seems to be in his back and affecting especially his left back leg, though he is favoring his left front leg. I can touch him all over and there is no heat, swelling or reaction to my touch, though I haven't pressed firmly anywhere with my fingers. Just used the flat of my hand.

In the meantime, is there anything I can give him for pain so he can sleep better tonight? And how much? He weighs about 90 lbs. I have the typical household medications, but I also have bute for my horses.

I had the same issue with my rottie 6 years ago. He fell and slipped several discs in his back. We took him to the vet, and they gave him a steroid injection, and we gave him a baby asprin when we got home. Sadly, we had to have him put down the next day, due to the amount of pain he was in. Try a baby asprin, it might help. Also, putting a blanket in the dryer, warming it up, and having him lay on it may help with the discomfort. I'm sorry this isn't much, but I'll be thinking of you both!

Thanks, CSW. He absolutely will NOT lay on a blanket (bush dog). I can't even get him to lay on a mat. But the house is warm and he is definitely staying inside tonight. Maybe I'll put something warm beside him and he can choose if he likes the extra warmth or not.

I don't have any baby aspirin. I'll see if I have any ASA adult size and maybe give him a quarter of one?

Do you have an animal chiropractor or massage therapist nearby you can call.
They have worked wonders with my animals in the past.

As it ended up, a phone call Saturday AM to the vet got me to give him 650 mg of buffered ASA (Bufferin or Aspirin that has been buffered). Late Saturday afternoon I took him to the vet. Diagnosis is that he probably did fall and exaberbated (sp?) an existing degenerative bone disease. It's possible that he strained a muscle, but not likely. Either way, the treatment is pain control and rest. So, that's what we're doing. We'll know in a month if he's going to get better or not... :( Not a happy scene. Poor guy, but we didn't think he would be pain free this long, so we're thankful for what we've had in the past year.

Oooh poor baby, I really hope he gets better and he doesnt get worse from his diagnosis. :(

I've got a baby rottie well he's 1yrs, but he's like way over 100 lbs and he's such a tender foot lol big fat baby. Got to love the rotties!!!!

Your boys in our thoughts!

Poor fellow I was going to suggest the aspirin. I give ours the low dose 81mg ones when they have ouchies. I have a rottie mix that went through the same sort of thing, only to find out via the vet that she has arthritis and it was just flaring up. I have started her on a glucosamine chondroitin dose every day and she is doing better.
Glad you got it figured out, its always tough to see them in pain and not be able to ask them what the problem is.

V -- I put him on gluc/chond. Last year and it made a huge difference. I know that's what gave him this extra time and he has thoroughly enjoyed the last year -- running in the bush and playing with the neighbour's dog!

As of today, he's been on pain meds 3 days and is much better now. I'm going to keep him on the full dosage for at least a week and see where we go from there. He's not pain free, but he has wagged his tail and his eyes don't look so haunted. He actually jumped and barked when I came home today. Today was his first day without me beside him and he definitely missed me. Talk about make a person feel loved! He does a better job than MDH!!! LOL

I hope he heals up soon... glad to hear he is acting like he feels better

I've been thinking about you, and am happy to see an update. Please keep us posted on his progress!!