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Bulger Veterinary Hospital
  • Our Services
    • Anesthesia & Pain Management
    • Cardiology
    • Dentistry
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Emergency/Critical Care
    • Exotics
    • Internal Medicine
    • Ophthalmology
    • Surgery
    • Primary Pet Care
      • Kitten Kit
      • Puppy Pack
      • Senior Pet Care
    • Theriogenology (Reproductive Health)
    • Compounding Pharmacy
    • Veterinary Urgent Care Near Here
  • For Your Pet
    • Client Registration Form
    • Curbside Emergency Care
    • Emergencies + Appointments
    • Client Portal
    • When Your Pet is a Patient
    • Pet Insurance
    • Payment Options
    • Online Store
    • End of Life Arrangements
    • Clinical Studies
  • For Veterinary Teams
    • Submit Referrals
    • At a Glance
    • Ethos Materials for Clinics
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    • VetBloom CE
    • Clinical Studies
    • Compounding Pharmacy
  • About Us
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  • Blogs & Videos
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  • 24-HR ER: 978-725-5544
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Our Blogs

How to Apply Ice Packs for Dogs

September 30, 2016
What are the benefits of cold therapy (ice packs) and how should it be applied?

Benefits:

  • Reduces and helps control inflammation
  • Reduces muscle spasm
  • Promotes blood flow
  • With compression will help reduce edema/inflammation
  • Reduces pain

How does cold therapy work/What does it do?

  • Causes vasoconstriction
  • Reduces cellular metabolism
  • Decreases sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity

Application

  • Applied primarily in the first 72 hours post trauma for 10 to 15 minutes
  • Allow at least 2 hours between sessions to allow tissue to recover from the last icing
  • If you are using an ice pack with a plastic outer shell, place the pack in a pillow case to buffer the impact of the plastic against the skin.
  • Special Consideration: If your dog has had a TPLO, do not wrap the ice pack around the inside of the knee when icing the knee. The metal plate is there and will quickly absorb the cold which will make your dog uncomfortable.
What are the benefits of heat therapy (hot packs) and how should it be applied?
  • Heat therapy induces muscle relaxation
  • Apply heat pack after the initial 72 hours post trauma for 10-15 minutes.
  • Allow at least 2 hours between heating sessions to allow tissue to recover.
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    Bulger Veterinary Hospital
    978-725-5544 | 141 Winthrop Ave. Lawrence, MA 01843
    • 24-HR ER: 978-725-5544
    • Our Services
      • Anesthesia & Pain Management
      • Cardiology
      • Dentistry
      • Diagnostic Imaging
      • Emergency/Critical Care
      • Exotics
      • Internal Medicine
      • Ophthalmology
      • Surgery
      • Primary Pet Care
        • Kitten Kit
        • Puppy Pack
        • Senior Pet Care
      • Theriogenology (Reproductive Health)
      • Compounding Pharmacy
      • Veterinary Urgent Care Near Here
    • For Your Pet
      • Client Registration Form
      • Curbside Emergency Care
      • Emergencies + Appointments
      • Client Portal
      • When Your Pet is a Patient
      • Pet Insurance
      • Payment Options
      • Online Store
      • End of Life Arrangements
      • Clinical Studies
    • For Veterinary Teams
      • Submit Referrals
      • At a Glance
      • Ethos Materials for Clinics
      • Continuing Education
      • VetBloom CE
      • Clinical Studies
      • Compounding Pharmacy
    • About Us
      • Our Hospital
      • Our Team
      • Giving Back
      • Why Ethos
      • Ethos Discovery
      • Press Releases
      • Contact Us
    • Blogs & Videos
      • Our Blogs
      • PAWEDcasts
    • We’re Hiring!
      • Apply Today
      • Ethos Job Fairs
      • Benefits and Perks
      • Veterinary Training Programs
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