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.
Description
Dogs suffer the same aches and pains as humans but because they can’t speak it’s often difficult to determine whether they’re suffering. Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, however, there are lots of options available to vets to both relieve pain in dogs and to assess the level of pain they are suffering. Here we answer some of the most common questions owners ask about what can I give my dog for pain?
Owners often ask vets about safe pain relief for dogs. While humans can self-diagnose and, in many cases, self-medicate by buying over-the-counter drugs, it’s not quite the same for dogs. It’s imperative dog owners do not try to administer pain relief to their pet without first consulting a vet. If a dog is in pain they should undergo a full veterinary examination. This will enable the vet to make a proper diagnosis in respect of what is causing the pain and draw up a treatment plan to treat it. Several painkilling drugs have been designed specifically for dogs and these are far safer and more effective than drugs intended for people. Giving dogs non-prescribed drugs can result in accidental poisoning and possibly lead to kidney failure.
Types of Pain Medicine For Dogs
If your dog is experiencing pain, your vet is likely to prescribe oral pain medication for him. Some of these you can buy from a pharmacy, but it’s imperative that you do not give your dog any medication without discussing it first with your vet. This is because giving the wrong dose, or giving a medication when your dog has an underlying condition, could be fatal to your dog.
NSAIDs: Anti Inflammatory for Dogs
Tylenol for Dogs (Acetaminophen)
Opioids
Gabapentin for Dogs
Amantadine
Features of Pain Medicine 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 )
NSAIDs are usually safe for dogs and have few side effects. But in some cases, they can cause kidney, liver, or digestive problems.
You may be able to tell if your dog is having a bad reaction to an NSAID. An easy way to remember the signs is with the word BEST:
- Behavior changes
- Eating less
- Skin redness, scabs
- Tarry stool/diarrhea/vomiting
Side Effects of Pain Medicine For Dogs
Some of the most common side effects of NSAIDs in animals reported to FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine are:
- Vomiting;
- Decreased to no appetite;
- Decreased activity level; and
- Diarrhea.
Other reported side effects in animals include stomach and intestinal ulcers, stomach and intestinal perforations (holes in the wall of the stomach or intestines), kidney failure, liver failure, and death.
The side effects of NSAIDs are mainly seen in the digestive tract, kidneys, and liver.
Prices of Pain Medicine For Dogs
$302.74 – $208.99