NSAIDs for dogs are not a special medication for fur noses, but a special one drug group.
You will find these mainly in painkillers, which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
What exactly is behind NSAID for dogs actually hides and other important information, the following guide will tell you.
NSAIDs for dogs: what they are and what they are used for
NSAID is an acronym that stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs stands.
These NSAIDs are typically given for joint disorders and associated pain, and as part of postoperative pain management.
Drugs containing NSAIDs are not only used for short-term pain therapy, but also as part of long-term therapy.
But how do NSAIDs help at all? They work by the formation of so-called prostaglandins inhibit.
These in turn are involved in the development of inflammation and need the enzyme for this, among other things cyclooxygenase/COX.
If these prostaglandins and COX now meet NSAID, they are inhibited and thus inflammation is counteracted.
To make things a little more complex, there are two main groups of NSAIDs:
- selective NSAIDs that only inhibit COX2
- even NSAIDs that inhibit COX1
COX1 refers to the enzymes that are mainly found in the kidneys and the gastric mucosa.
COX2 are the enzymes that need to be inhibited in advanced inflammation.
Since the list of NSAIDs is very long, here are some of the most well-known NSAIDs that are also used in dogs:
IMPORTANT
Please do not use NSAIDs that used exclusively in human medicine. For example, even small doses of diclofenac can be deadly for a dog!
Proper use and dosage of NSAIDs in dogs
Proper dosage and use of NSAIDs in dogs depends largely on the disease and the medication administered away.
So we can’t give you a general dosage here, just a few examples of different NSAIDs for dogs.
NSAIDdaily amount of NSAID per kilogram body weight of the dog/mgcarprofen2.0 to 4.0 mgfirocoxib5.0 mgketoprofen1.0 to 2.0 mgMavacoxib2.0 mgmeloxicam0.2 mgmetamizole20-50mgRobenacoxib1.0 to 2.0 mg
IMPORTANT
The administration of NSAID-containing medicines to dogs is allowed never on your own take place, but only after consultation with the treating veterinarian.
How long does it take for NSAIDs to work in dogs?
In many cases, the effect of NSAIDs in dogs continues already within one hour after administration of the respective medication a.
After this dose, the effect should last for 8 to 12 hours.
If you only gave your dog half the recommended dosage in the morning, he can be treated with NSAIDs again after this time.
What side effects can NSAIDs cause in dogs?
NSAIDs can be used in dogs among other things Diarrhea and vomiting as side effects cause.
It is not uncommon for dogs treated with NSAIDs to also suffer from decreased appetite and fatigue.
These side effects are not considered to be of concern because they usually resolve on their own within a few days of starting treatment.
Nevertheless, you should monitor these reactions to NSAIDs closely and, if in doubt, it is better to take your dog to the vet once too much than once too little.
Of course, this applies in particular if side effects occur that are not listed in any of the package inserts.
Incidentally, NSAIDs can also cause stomach bleeding and ulcers. This is due to the fact that NSAIDs prostaglandins inhibit.
These are also responsible for protecting the gastric mucosa and the stomach wall – and this protective function is undermined by NSAIDs.
When should I not use NSAIDs in dogs?
Lies a known hypersensitivity to NSAIDs in dogs occurs, it should not be treated with an appropriate drug.
In addition, special precautions should be taken when administering NSAIDs to puppies less than six weeks old and older dogs.
Here, treatment with NSAIDs should only be carried out under regular veterinary supervision.
Please also ask your vet about NSAIDs and pregnant or lactating dogs.
Last but not least, the following diseases speak against treatment with NSAIDs:
- liver diseases
- heart diseases
- kidney problems
Where are NSAIDs for dogs available?
All drugs containing NSAID are prescription. For you, this means that you first need a prescription from your veterinarian.
With this you can then get the prescribed medicine in a pharmacy – also online or especially for animals.
What alternatives are there to NSAIDs for dogs?
Does your dog tolerate absolutely no NSAIDs and constantly has bad experiences? Then an alternative with a different active ingredient must be found like an opioid.
However, we are talking about painkillers here, which are significantly stronger than most NSAIDs.
Also can gabapentin and pregabalin administered to dogs as painkillers.
These two active ingredients are those that are mainly used in human medicine, mostly for neuropathic pain, i.e. nerve pain.
In some cases, drugs containing cortisone can also be used as anti-inflammatory painkillers.
Here, however, we would like to warn of the possible long-term consequences that a dog can suffer from.
Many veterinarians will only prescribe such medicines in absolutely exceptional cases because they are aware of these long-term side effects.
The extent to which one of these alternatives makes sense for your dog depends a) on the illness and b) of course on whether your veterinarian considers it sensible and effective.
Has your dog ever gotten NSAIDs? What was his experience with it? We look forward to reading his story in our comments soon.