NSAID Side Effects in Dogs
What Every Pet Parent Should Know Hidden Dangers of NSAIDs And Prescription Pain Medications
NSAIDs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are commonly prescribed for pain relief and joint health relief in dogs.
But these products don’t come without risk. and side effects.
NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, are a class of drugs commonly used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. They are commonly used to treat conditions such as arthritis, muscle aches, post-surgery, etc.
Common NSAIDs Prescribed for Dogs
Rimadyl
Carprofin
Metacam
Deramaxx
Previcox
Galliprant
Onsior
Drugs like Rimadyl work by blocking the production of prostaglandins, which are substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. They function in dogs the same way a Advil might work for you (Never give your dog advil)
Common NSAIDs Side Effects In Dogs
While NSAIDs are effective in relieving pain and reducing inflammation, they can also have potential side effects on various systems in the body.
Vomiting, Diarrhea
GI Bleeds
Drug Interactions
Behavioral Changes
Kidney failure
Liver Failure
Seizures
Death
Long-term use of NSAIDs can harm joint health, as they can increase the risk of developing conditions such as osteoarthritis. So when your vet prescribes NSAIDs to relieve your dog’s joint pain, you need to push back. Hard.
Making Informed Choices Regarding NSAIDs
There may be a time when choosing these products is the right thing to do. That’s a decision we want you to make with full consideration of the risks and alternatives.
There are many alternatives to NSAIDs Pain Relief with Essential Oils, Herbs, Homeopathy, Omega Supplements and CBD
Guidelines for Safer NSAID Use
Have your dog’s liver and kidneys tested first! And support both liver and kidney health while using.
Do Not use these products with steroids
Do NOT mix NSAIDs. If switching NSAIDs, stop the current prescription first, wait 48 hours before starting the new prescription.
Do NOT give antacids with NSAIDS
Consider short-term use only and transition to natural remedies
Do Not give if your dog is behaving differently, not eating, or has vomiting or diarrhea. Call your vet if this begins at any point after administration.
Do not use human steroids.
Test your dog’s blood work at a minimum every 6 months while using.
We’ve heard for many years, not to use this long-term, but we have all seen it prescribed for dogs with arthritis for long-term use. They warn us to monitor liver values in long(er) term usage. Friends, I was dumb enough at one time to believe that if we checked liver values after use and there was a problem we could fix it. That was pretty naive. You see crisis can occur with these drugs in as little as a few days, and the liver & kidneys can become so damaged it’s not something the dog can recover from.
Exploring Safer, Natural Alternatives To NSAIDs
Know that you have many alternatives for natural remedies for care after surgical procedures, after injury, or with the aging process.
Consider these Essential Oil Alternatives to NSAIDs