What painkillers can you give your dog?

If your dog suddenly starts limping, whining or howling from pain and discomfort, you will certainly wonder: what kind of painkiller can you give him? Perhaps the first thing that comes to your mind is to “feed” your pet with painkillers from your own first aid kit. Is it correct? After reading this article, you will learn why human analgesics are dangerous for animals.

Q: Are over-the-counter pain relievers for medical use safe for dogs?

Answer:In the vast majority of cases, no. Pain medications for medical use fall into two main categories. The first includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. . Another pain reliever is acetaminophen. It is often added to the composition of medicines for the treatment of colds and flu.

The analgesic effect of NSAIDs is achieved by reducing inflammation through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase, an enzyme responsible for the production of prostaglandins that cause inflammation. However, a certain amount of prostaglandins is necessary to maintain some important bodily functions, including normal renal blood flow and blood clotting. Excessive suppression of prostaglandin production can be detrimental to a dog’s health.

With regard to acetaminophen, which reduces pain without relieving inflammation, there is insufficient data on its mechanism of action. However, what is known for sure is that its toxic dose, if ingested, can harm the animal’s liver and kidneys.

Q: Why are these drugs harmful to dogs?

Answer: There are a number of reasons why it is dangerous to give dogs painkillers made for humans. Firstly, it is difficult to determine the correct dose of the drug, so the risk of overdose is too great. In addition, some animals are hypersensitive to NSAIDs, so even the correct dose can be dangerous. The risk is increased if you take other drugs, such as corticosteroids, or if you have certain medical conditions, such as a gastrointestinal disorder or liver or kidney disease.

Q: What can happen if I give my dog ​​one of these medications?

Answer: Accidental overdose of painkillers for medical use, as well as hypersensitivity to them, can cause the animal to vomit, diarrhea, bloody stools, loss of appetite, kidney or liver damage, or kidney or liver failure – and even death.

Q: Can I give my dog ​​baby aspirin?

Answer: Children’s aspirin, or low dose, is still an NSAID, so the risk remains. Even at a low dose, an aspirin tablet can damage the lining of a dog’s stomach, causing ulcers and gastrointestinal problems.

Q: Are there exceptional cases where I can give aspirin to a dog?

Answer: In some cases, your veterinarian may advise you to give your pet a small dose of aspirin to relieve pain. However, you must strictly follow his instructions and give the animal the minimum effective dose for the minimum number of days. In any case, aspirin should only be used in dogs under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

Q: What painkillers can I give my dog?

Answer: Pain medications for medical use should only be used by humans, and several veterinary medications have been specifically developed for dogs to help manage pain. Animal pain relievers include carprofen, firocoxib, and meloxicam, which may be prescribed by a veterinarian.

No pet owner can bear the suffering of their own dog, so the rush to relieve his pain as soon as possible will be hard to stop. But the best thing you can do for a pet in pain is to call your veterinarian, who will advise the best and safest remedy for her.