Anti Inflammatory For Dogs - What Is Safe?
Anti Inflammatory For Dogs - What Is Safe?
With the premium foods and medical care available today, our pets are living longer and longer. As dogs get older, past injuries,disease or joint wear may create inlammation and pain. If your dog is displaying any of the following symptoms, there may be an arthritic or inflammatory joint condition involved:
Gnawing or licking paws or hind quarters
Dropping behind you when out walking
Muscle mass shrinking or loss of tone
Not willing to jump on your lap
Swelling, redness/heat in the joints
Some stiffness when rising or attempting to lay down
Analgesics Versus Anti Inflammatories
A point to clarify the difference between these two drugs.You can identify inflammation by its tell tale swelling and redness, along with pain in a specific area of your dogs body. Anti-inflammatory drugs target the symptoms of inflammation by reducing swelling and discomfort. They are not exactly like analgesics (pain killers) as these drugs specifically addresses pain without reducing inflammation.
Can I Give My Dog Human Drugs?
Certain drugs formulated for humans, such as buffered aspirin, are generally safe for dogs. Some formulations, like enteric-coated aspirin, are not as effective when used for dogs (as opposed to humans) because of the differences in human and canine physiology. Always use canine formulations of the desired drugs when they are available, particularly when it comes to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Canine Medications Are More Expensive
The cost differences between human and canine drugs is significant. Take this into account when shopping around as it may help you avoid "sticker shock". Try to save on price by shopping around at big pet produce warrehouses or online as you may be paying for medications for a long period .You may be shocked by the price differences, but it is safer for you pet than using drugs designed for humans.
Unsafe Human Over-the-Counter Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
The ASPCA cites NSAIDS as the most prevalent cause of poisoning of pets. Even small doses are dangerous!.Some of these types of medication may include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ketoprofen (Orudis).There have been cases of severe liver damage reported in dogs given some of these medications.
Ibuprofen, even though consumed and viewed as safe for us, is not safe for use with dogs as it is the number one cause of accidental poisoning in cats and dogs. Dogs given ibuprofen have experienced kidney failure, internal bleeding and ulcers and in some cases death.
Signs To Watch For
Even very low doses of ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers in dogs. A dog should never ingest more than 50 mg of ibuprofen per pound of body weight.If you are administering ibuprofen to your dog beware of the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stumbling
Lethargy
Pain in the stomach region
If your dog displays any of the above symptoms call your vet straight away.
Natural Anti Inflammatories
There are many herbal, homeopathic and home grown remedies for inflammation in dogs and some time spent researching these will be of great benefit to you and your pet. Solutions containing Rhus toxicodendron are very effective at reducing inflammation, paralysis and rheumatic complaints. Rhus Tox, as it is known, is prized for its anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.
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