Rating Every Modality I have Tried for My Dog's Pain | Pain Series | Part 1

Our Pain Management Toolkit and Ratings

1. Swimming (Hydrotherapy)
My Rating: 11/10
The Science: This is non-weight-bearing resistance exercise. It builds essential muscle mass to stabilize joints without the concussive impact of walking. Studies show it significantly increases gait velocity in dogs with joint issues.
My Take: Water therapy is more than just "swimming"; it is science-backed medicine. The buoyancy of water is a "magic pill" for dogs who are too painful to walk on grass or pavement. When a dog is in water, the upward thrust of buoyancy takes the weight off the joints, allowing for a full range of motion that is not possible on land. By building the quadriceps and core, it creates a "natural brace" for the knee, which is crucial for CCL recovery and preventing future injury.
Listening to the Body: Even though water therapy is wonderful for total body strength, we had to dial back his time from 30 minute to 15 minute sessions as it still forces the dog to use the injured joints. It is important to listen to your dog's body for them. Our dog would love to be in the pool for an hour, swimming and playing ball is quite literally his favorite thing on earth, but we noticed him flaring up the next day if we did too much.

2. Massage
My Rating: 10/10
The Science: Massage releases "splinting" (when muscles tighten painfully to protect a sore joint). It flushes out metabolic waste and improves myofascial flexibility, which is often a secondary source of severe pain.
My Take: Most dogs love massage and it is wonderful for anxiety too, which can calm the nervous system. Plus you can educate on doing this yourself at home for free.

3. Red Light Therapy (PBMT)
My Rating: 10/10
The Science: Photobiomodulation uses light to increase mitochondrial ATP production. This boosts cellular repair, reduces oxidative stress, and lowers inflammation in superficial tissues.
My Take: There are many at home options on the market now for a reasonable budget, which allows more consistent care. These are not the same as most used by a licensed provider, but still worth the purchase in my experience.

4. Diet
My Rating: 10/10
The Science: A diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) acts as a precursor to anti-inflammatory mediators. This helps lower systemic inflammation, which directly impacts how much pain an animal feels.
My Take: Commercial diets, especially kibble, have the wrong ratios of Omegas, creating an imbalance between Omega-3's and 6's.

5. Laser Therapy (Deeper PBMT)
My Rating: 9/10
The Science: This is a deeper penetration of light therapy targeted for ligaments and joint capsules. It promotes accelerated tissue healing and is a potent anti-inflammatory tool when used at the correct power levels.
My Take: You do not want to go on too high of a setting for certain injuries, so discuss this with your provider and watch how your animal reacts.

6. Joint Supplements
My Rating: 5/10
The Science: Ingredients like Glucosamine and Chondroitin help slow the degradation of remaining cartilage, while the right form of Collagen can support loss.
My Take: Once cartilage is gone, it can not grow it back; advanced therapies like PRP are needed for actual repair. So if some supplements are not given as a preventative measure, you need to be mindful of the actual benefits.

7. Acupuncture
My Rating: 5/10
The Science: Stimulates specific points to trigger the release of the body's natural painkillers (endogenous opioids) and helps modulate the nervous system’s response to chronic pain.
My Take: Our dog moved too much, but I did notice some immediate benefits, even if short term. I would be open to doing it again and know that many dogs do benefit.

8. Ozone Therapy
My Rating: Undetermined
The Science: An oxidative agent used to improve oxygen delivery and circulation to damaged tissues. While popular in some circles for healing, clinical studies on orthopedic repair in dogs are still developing.
My Take: To be transparent I did not see benefits, but that does not mean my dog did not feel them. I have heard wonderful things about ozone therapy for Cancer treatments.

9. PT (Physical Therapy)
My Rating: 8/10
The Science: Targeted exercises designed to strengthen the supporting structures of the joint. PT helps prevent muscle atrophy and corrects compensatory movements that put the "good" leg at risk for injury.

10. Meloxicam
My Rating: 8/10 (because of side effects)
The Science: A Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) that blocks COX-2 enzymes. This directly reduces joint swelling and the chemical signals that tell the brain "this hurts."
My Take: I have found it works great, but you must be careful of liver, kidney, and stomach issues. I always use half the recommended dose and go from there for flare ups. We get his liver and kidney enzymes tested periodically and incorporate a medication called Sucralfate, used to treat and prevent ulcers in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, prior to administering it. It is great for dogs with a sensitive stomach to coat the lining. Meloxicam can also cause loose stools, and another reason why we use only as needed.

11. Gabapentin
My Rating: 5/10
The Science: This targets "Central Sensitization" where the brain becomes hypersensitive to pain. It works by inhibiting excitatory neurotransmitters, making it a powerful add-on for nerve-related chronic pain.
My Take: I have not heard amazing things for people or animals about Gabapentin, though it is widely prescribed. Now studies have come out for people with it relating to dementia. I find it helps with pain because it makes your dog tired and sedated, though does not stop the inflammation. Personally I do half a dose with 1-2 drops of our 1000 + CBD for our 10 lb poodle and it gives him some relief and is gentle on his stomach.

12. Full Spectrum CBD
My Rating: 7/10
The Science: CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System (specifically CB2 receptors) to provide analgesic and anti-inflammatory support, often improving comfort and mobility.
My Take: Only use a 3rd party lab tested full spectrum CBD oil for maximum benefits.

*PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
My Note: Advanced Repair Option which I haven not tried but would.
The Science: This involves injecting concentrated growth factors from the dog's own blood back into the joint to stimulate cellular regeneration and "reset" the joint environment. It has a 70% chance of working in humans and is the only current procedure that is available to promote repair and regrowth of what has been injured.

Additional Home Care Essentials

Beyond the medical modalities, there were a few key items that were essential for our home care routine.

• Firm Orthopedic Bed: A good, supportive bed is vital for keeping the spine aligned and taking pressure off those sensitive joints while they rest.
• Pet-Safe Heating Pad: These are essential for soothing stiff muscles and increasing blood flow to the injury site.
• Stroller or Wagon: To keep his quality of life high, we use a stroller. It allows him to still get out, see the world, and get fresh air without the physical strain of walking.
• Swimming Vest: We use this to lift him when he can not bear weight. It was especially important during his initial surgery recovery to help him move safely without risking a slip or further injury.

NEXT up we will list our most favorite products we use and a deeper dive on supporting supplements and therapeutic dosing