Dog/Hiking Sore Muscles

Question
We took our 4-5 year old (he was a pound puppy, not sure of age)beagle/dauchund mixed dog (Fred) hiking with us this weekend along with our 1 year old German Shepherd (Winston). What was only suppose to be 2 1/2 mile hike ended being more like a 5-6 mile hike. We took frequent breaks and made sure the dogs were hydrated, but now today little Fred can barely walk. He can walk just very slow. I know how sore we are so I can only imgagine how sore he is. What can I do for him to help him through this? We had been giving him half of an over the counter Ibuprofen every 4 hours or so. Is there anything else I can do? Also, Fred is primarily an inside dog. Due to his age and difference in size compared to Winston we don't let them in the dog pin together all day long. Fred's little pads on his feet don't look the greatest, he has several spots where the pad skin is coming off. Not large spots just small ones here and there. Is there anything I can do for his feet or just let them heal on their own keeping an eye out for infection. I have to tell you I feel just absolutley horrible about what we had to put the dogs through, so any information you have will be helpful. Thank you for your time. Stephanie Leathers

Answer
STOP THE IBUPROFEN...this can be toxic to dogs (stomach ulcers and kidney or liver damage).  We do not use this medication for dogs like people.


You can give him a cool bath and massage his muscles.  


Offer him some pedialyte or plain gatorade to help replenish his electrolytes.


Rub VITAMIN E on his pads twice a day and let him REST.

Next time, don't go so far and consider putting hiking booties on him to protect his feet.