Pain Medications for Dogs:
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.
NSAIDs
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.
Here are some Recommended Joint Care Supplements available for your Dog:
Brit Canine Joint & Mobility
Glycoflex Stage II Canine Joint Support
Aspirin is an over-the-counter NSAID. Your doctor may OK giving it to your dog for a limited amount of time, but usually only if they have an injury or another short-term condition. It’s not recommended for long-term use in dogs because it has a greater potential for side effects, including the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Coated aspirin is best on the stomach, and give the pills with food. Talk to your vet and follow their recommendations on how much and how often.
Other Medications
Because NSAIDs are usually good at relieving pain, veterinarians don’t often prescribe other kinds of painkillers. But sometimes, your dog may need more options. Your vet may talk to you about gabapentin or tramadol.
Veterinarians give stronger opiates only for a short while. They usually don’t prescribe steroids for pain, as they can have serious side effects.
Supplements
Supplements, like glucosamine and chondroitin, are very popular alternative treatments that serves as pain medication for dogs. It’s not clear if they help, but some research has found that they may make swelling go down and help cartilage repair itself. They also may help protect and lubricate existing cartilage.
Always talk to your vet before giving your dog any medications, including supplements.
Ask for a written copy of the treatment plan, as well as instructions (and a demonstration) for how to give the medicines to your pet. Be sure to give the drug only as your vet recommends. Too much or too little can cause problems. Don’t share medications between dogs. What’s good for one animal may not be the right thing for another.
You may not be able to relieve all of your dog’s pain, but you should be able to make them feel better. With your vet’s guidance, you may need to try different things to find out what brings the most relief.
