If you notice your dog isn’t quite themselves lately, it could be because they are in pain. They could have an injury, an infection, or a disease. Or maybe they are starting to feel the aches of aging. When your pet hurts, you want to help them feel better. But don’t try to guess what their problem may be. Visit your veterinarian to find out what’s wrong. There are different ways to help ease their pain. Your vet will recommend medication based on what’s going on and your dog’s health history.
The importance of pain management and the use of NSAIDs in animals has increased dramatically in recent decades, with use of NSAIDs in companion animals being routine. NSAIDs have the potential to relieve pain and inflammation without the myriad potential metabolic, hemodynamic, and immunosuppressive adverse effects associated with corticosteroids. However, all NSAIDs have the potential for other adverse effects that should be considered in overall management of the inflammatory process.
Description
With the notable exception of acetaminophen, all the medications listed in the introduction are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs. These drugs are widely used in both people and animals for their pain relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fever properties. Veterinarians often prescribe NSAIDS for dogs with osteoarthritis, a condition where cartilage – the protective material that cushions a joint – breaks down over time, causing the bones to rub against each other. This rubbing can permanently damage the joint and cause pain, inflammation, and lameness. Veterinarians also often use NSAIDs to manage pain after surgery in both dogs and cats.
Features of Nsaids For Dogs
Arthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs. Managing that pain is the foundation of treating arthritis and preserving a high quality of life for your dog. Pain management should be an integral part of your dog’s arthritis care plan, starting from the time of diagnosis. It can be hard to know when our dogs are in pain, as the signs can be subtle. If you haven’t already, take our pain quiz (linked at right) to better understand what pain looks like for dogs so you can help them stay comfortable and active. In this article, we’ll answer the most common questions around a very commonly prescribed pain management option, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Types of Nsaids For Dogs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, help reduce swelling, stiffness, and joint pain in humans, and they can do the same for your dog. They can bring relief to a dog with arthritis, or one who’s just had surgery.
But don’t give your pooch something from your medicine cabinet. Do not give your dog ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
There are some of the available NSAIDs just for dogs:
- carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl)
- deracoxib (Deramaxx)
- firocoxib (Previcox)
- meloxicam (Metacam )
Mode of Action:
Generally, the classification NSAID is applied to drugs that inhibit one or more steps in the metabolism of arachidonic acid (AA). Unlike corticosteroids, which inhibit numerous pathways, NSAIDs act primarily to reduce the biosynthesis of prostaglandins by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX). In general, NSAIDs do not inhibit the formation of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and hence leukotriene, or the formation of other inflammatory mediators. The novel NSAID tepoxalin is an exception in that it inhibits both COX and 5-LOX.
Potential side effects of Nsaids For Dogs
NSAIDs are the most frequently prescribed analgesic (pain medication) in dogs. NSAIDs are effective, but like all medications, certain side effects can occur. Some are mild and resolve spontaneously, while others are serious and even life threatening. The most common side effects are:
- Anorexia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Black tarry stools
- Change in drinking habits
- Change in urination
- Lethargy
Serious side effects may include:
- Gastrointestinal ulcer
- Gastrointestinal perforation
- Liver toxicity
- Kidney toxicity, kidney failure
- Death
Prices of Nsaids For Dogs
$49.99 – $174.95