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
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
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.
Types of Painkillers 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 )
Side effects to look out for:
If your vet does prescribe pain relief for your dog, you need to watch out for certain side effects. All medications have potential side effects, but these are weighed against the benefits that the medication delivers to determine their effectiveness and safety.
Some of the side effects to watch out for are:
- Changes in behavior
- Loss of appetite
- Skin redness
- Digestive issues, including diarrhea and vomiting
Prices of Painkillers For Dogs
$19.99 – $79.99