Pain Reliever for Dogs

If your dog is in pain it can be a very difficult time and understandably you will want to ensure your dog gets the best treatment available and the best pain reliever for dogs to ensure your dog is as comfortable as possible until treatment or healing is complete. If your vet has decided it is appropriate to use a pain killer or anti inflammatory you may have some questions about which one he or she has chosen and what are the possible side affects.

Therefore, in order to supply you with as much information as possible to ensure you feel confident in the health care you need to provide your dog here is the most common example of the type of drug your veterinary practice is likely to prescribe.

NSAID’s or Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs.

These help reduce inflammation and include Rimadyl the more commonly prescribed of the group. They are used commonly on arthritis sufferers and are an effective pain reliever for dogs suffering from joint pain and stiffness. Aspirin is also an NSAID of an older generation but has more severe side effects such as bleeding and is generally not used anymore. These drugs should only be used when necessary and not as a constant especially in the case of long term pain.

The following is a list of side effects to watch out for during an NSAID prescription:

1. Diarrhoea.
2. Decrease or increase of appetite.
3. Vomiting.
4. Change in digestion habits or excretion habits including an increased liquid intake and urination.
5. Jaundice for example a yellowing of the eyes.
6. Red, itchy or scabbed skin.
7. Loss of co-ordination or balance.
8. Seizures.

Make sure you report any bad reactions to a drug as soon as possible to your vet and disclose full information about the dose and drugs your pet has been taking. You should never mix drugs or supply your dog with drugs your vet is not aware of but if you have tried a different pain reliever for dogs or your dog has consumed other medication by accident then seek medical advice immediately from your vet or the manufacturers help line.

Always follow the strict guidelines of your vet and the medication labelling to ensure you give your dog the correct dosage. I know it’s tempting to provide your pet with as much pain relief as possible but please do not give your dog too much pain reliever medicine as this can do the dog serious damage.

Your dog may not stay on the same NSAID throughout your dog’s illness; it can be a case of trying a few out before you and your vet find the right one for your dog. If your dog is to be on NSAID’s such as Rimadyl for an extended period of time it is recommended that they undergo regular blood testing. These tests are designed to monitor the liver toxicity to ensure your dog is not suffering any severe reaction to the drug as liver malfunction has been known to occur.