Dog Arthritis Aspirin

Aspirin for dog arthritis. Learn about it's uses, dosage, risks and side effects when using aspirin to treat dog's joint pain.

Can You Give Your Dog Aspirin For Arthritis Pain?

If your dog is limping or showing signs of arthritic pain and inflammation of the joints, aspirin can be used as a short term analgesic to control the musculoskeletal pain associated with arthritis.

Aspirin is from the general class of drugs collectively known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NASAIDs) and should only be given to your dog under the care of your vet.

Note: Make sure you give your dogs aspirin approved for animal use rather than the over-the-counter NSAIDs used for pain control in people. Giving your dog human aspirin can sometimes be fatal to your dog.

Uses of Aspirin for Dog Arthritis Treatment

For dogs with arthritis, the most common form of medication for the treatment of canine joint pain is aspirin. Another commonly prescribed medication for dog arthritis is Rimadyl.

Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit inflammation and reduce swelling in your dog’s joints, and reduces pain and fever to help keep your dog comfortable.

Recommended Dosage and Frequency

A dose of between 5 mg and 10 mg per pound of your dog’s weight over a 12 hour period is the recommended dosage by most veterinarians. Your vet will give you instructions on how much to give your dog. Make sure you give your dog the correct dosage otherwise giving too large of a dose can be harmful or fatal to your dog.

Risks Associated with Aspirin

If you are going to give your dog aspirin to treat your pet's arthritis and joint pain, understand that the drug may sometimes irritate your dog's stomach and can cause severe stomach problems such as duodenal ulcers or intestinal tract infection.

Other side effects may also include kidney damage, liver failure, gastric ulcerations and bleeding to your dog.

If your dog start behaving strangely, seem ill or there are signs of vomiting after taking aspirin, it is important to stop the medication.

Warning: Do not give aspirin to young dogs or animals as they have not developed the necessary enzymes to process aspirin. Neither is it recommended for dogs that are pregnant as it may cause clotting of the blood.

Medications That Are Commonly Used For Dog Arthritis

Here is a list of canine medications that are commonly used to relieve the symptoms of arthritic pain in dogs:

Carprofen (Rimadyl) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NASAID) effective for treating dog arthritic pain with a low incidence of gastrointestinal side effects. Use Rimadyl strictly as directed by your vet or otherwise it can have other adverse side effects such as liver failure. Do not use this medication in dogs that have a history of liver or inflammatory bowel diseases.

Etodolac (EtoGesic) is another NASAID that also helps to reduce arthritic pain as well as fever. Common side effects may include appetite loss, diarrhea, behavioral changes, vomiting, increased drinking or urination, depression and jaundice.

Deracoxib (Deramaxx) is also another drug used in the treatment of dog arthritis. Possible side effects include digestive or kidney problems, appetite loss, vomiting, bloody stools and diarrhea.

Firocoxib (Previcox) controls pain caused by osteoarthritis and other soft tissue injuries in dogs. Common side effects of previcox include vomiting, appetite loss, depression, diarrhea and lethargy. In rare cases it causes aggressive behavior and problems with coordination.

Tepoxalin (Zubrin) can ease the pain caused by osteoarthritis and has a low risk of causing ulceration in your dog. Side effects of Zubrin include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, hair loss, trembling, increased appetite and eating grass.

Meloxicam (Metacam) is also sometimes prescribed by vets to relieve the pain of canine arthritis. Metacam side effects include vomiting, apathy, bloody stools and appetite loss.

Keep in mind that these medications are useful drugs in controlling pain and inflammation of the joints especially for short term pain management. However because of their potential side effects, it is recommended that NSAIDs be use under your vet's supervision.

Natural Alternatives to Aspirin

In recent years, there have been better and safer remedies being researched and developed for dogs with arthritis than just purely relying on analgesics such as dog arthritis aspirin or NSAIDs in the treatment of joint pain.

One such remedy that has make a huge difference in the lives of arthritic dogs is nutritional supplement, glucosamine sulphate or glucosamine hydrochloride (both commonly known as glucosamine for short).

Glucosamine has been shown in studies that it has excellent natural anti-inflammatory properties that reduces painful inflammation of the joints as well as assist in the increase of the joint cartilage structure and tissue repair. Plus it help reverse arthritis symptoms in dogs without any of the side effects of dog arthritis aspirin.

Find out more on how it can treat arthritis in dogs -- Glucosamine For Dogs