Pain Pills for Dogs

If your dog suffers from a condition such as arthritis, or is recovering from an accident or a surgical operation, he may be in a lot of pain. It can be harrowing to see your beloved family pet suffering, so you may find yourself wondering if there are pain pills for dogs. The answer is yes! Powerful pain relievers known as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are available that can not only help to dull the pain for your dog, they can even help treat certain conditions or speed up your dog’s recovery.

Not too long ago, the choice of pain pills for dogs was limited at best, even after NSAIDs were introduced, initially they were widely regarded as dangerous because of their harsh side effects, but as more and more research has been done into this area, the NSAIDs available to the general public have improved dramatically. It is now possible to find NSAIDs to suit almost any dog with little to no side effects. However, it is important to remember that they are still drugs, and should be treated as such. Failure to follow the instructions that come with these drugs or to give the correct dose can lead to seriously harming your dog. Be responsible and be careful.

The first step in finding a pain reliever for your dog is to go to your vet. The vet will be able to inform and advise you on the best NSAIDs available and which might be suitable for your dog. In some cases, pain relief may not be suitable at all, especially if the dog has an injury that he must be careful of. Using pain pills in these cases can lead to the dog damaging the area even more as he becomes less aware of the pain, meaning the wound will take longer to heal. Obviously this is counterproductive to your dog’s wellbeing, so pain killers should only be used when it is appropriate.

Once the vet decides that NSAIDs would be beneficial for your dog, you may have to try out several of them before finding one that is suitable. Some of them will require your dog to have regular blood tests to ensure that they don’t interfere with your dog’s liver, and each may have a different list of side effects to watch out for. Some general side effects of NSAIDs include loss of balance, vomiting, itchiness, and increase or decrease of appetite. If you notice anything abnormal in your dog’s appearance or behaviour after starting a course of NSAID treatment, you should stop administering them immediately and return to the vet. Catching any problems or adverse reactions early on is vital to your dog’s health.

Don’t forget that there are treatments other than pain pills for dogs that are more natural and can still help a great deal. Things such as massage, aromatherapy and herbal tinctures and remedies can relieve pain and help to relax your dog, making him feel more comfortable during his recovery period.