What Do You Need To Know About Dog Anti-Inflammatory Medicines?
Inflammation can cause a number of problems for your dog. It is logical to ask if you can give the dog anti-inflammatory medication. Anti-inflammatory meds for dogs assist in reducing inflammation in dogs.
Inflammation is a typical physical response, usually in response to an injury or illness. It is the process by which a dog’s body protects and heals itself by dilating blood vessels and delivering white blood cells to the injured or unhealthy area. It is, thus, an important immune response mechanism that helps keep canines alive, but it can also get out of control at times. That is why having a dog anti-inflammatory to relieve your dog’s inflammation is critical.
A veterinarian may do an ultrasound or x-ray of the affected area to determine that inflammation is the source of your dog’s problems. They will do a thorough physical checkup on the dog. The exam may include blood work to assess the dog’s overall health.
Anti-inflammatory meds for dogs are administered if an injury is present. These reduce inflammation in dogs, which is why many dog owners utilize them to relieve dog joint pain and other associated disease processes.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used anti-inflammatory meds for dogs, which is why your veterinarian may prescribe or recommend them if your dog has specific medical issues.
Downsides Of Anti-Inflammatory Meds For Dogs
Dog anti-inflammatories can cause stomach and intestinal ulcers, perforations or holes in the canine’s stomach and intestines, renal failure, liver failure, and even death in some situations.
That is why it is always best to consult a veterinarian before administering anti-inflammatory meds to dogs. Even over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications for dogs that are generally safe may be potentially dangerous for some breeds or dogs with underlying illnesses, which is why caution is urged.
Any over-the-counter pain reliever containing acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen is very dangerous for dogs. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can cause major gastrointestinal problems in dogs, including atypical pain and blood in the feces, among other symptoms. These medications can potentially be fatal to dogs!
While buffered aspirin may not be as dangerous for your dog, most aspirins are considered harmful over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs for dogs.
The Duration For Which You Should Put A Dog On Anti-Inflammatory Meds
You should continue to give your dog anti-inflammatory drugs as prescribed by your veterinarian until the dog is healed. In most cases, however, anti-inflammatory therapy for injury management lasts two to three weeks, after which the dog should be healed.
If you notice any side effects such as vomiting, decreased appetite, diarrhea, bloody stools, or jaundice while administering the anti-inflammatory drugs, stop immediately and take the dog back to the veterinarian.
The type of anti-inflammation medication used and the underlying problem in the dog determine the length of time it takes for your dog to respond to anti-inflammation treatment. Corticosteroids, for example, suppress the immune system of dogs and should not be administered for extended periods of time. That is because if they are, the dog will have delayed healing times, susceptibility to inflections, and joint degradation.
In cases of persistent inflammation, the dog should be assessed four to eight weeks after starting a treatment regimen to see if it is successful. In most cases, anti-inflammatory therapy for injury management lasts two or three weeks, after which the dog should be healed.
To avoid having to worry about how much time you have to spend delivering anti-inflammatory pills to your dog, it is best to use a natural anti-inflammatory for dogs. Glucosamine and chondroitin, green-lipped mussel (GLM), turmeric, heat and cold therapies, omega-3 fatty acids, ginger, and cannabidiol (CBD) oil are a few examples.
Learn More About Treating Your Dog’s Inflammation From Experts
As a dog owner, I enjoy asking veterinarians and canine health professionals’ questions in order to give my pets with a high quality of life. What I’ve given is information I’ve gleaned from vets, canine health experts like Antinol USA, and other knowledgeable dog owners. You can do the same to ensure that you are fully prepared to care for your dog.
