GoodRx Holdings Inc.

10/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2024 14:40

Relieving Your Dog’s Pain: A Complete Guide to What’s Safe — and What’s Not

Some dogs have chronic pain from medical conditions such asarthritis. Others may experience temporary pain after injuries orsurgery. Regardless of the cause, you'll want to do everything you can to relieve your dog'spain.

The good news is that a veterinarian can choose from several good pain-relieving medications. Their choice will depend on a variety of factors, including the cause of your dog's pain and their other medications.

Prescription pain medications for dogs

Here are eight of the most commonly prescribed pain medications for dogs.

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Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl)Carprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is often prescribed to relieve inflammation associated with arthritis. It can also be used to manage pain following surgery.Carprofen is FDA approvedfor dogs and comes in several doses and forms, including flavored tablets.

NSAIDs like carprofen can causeside effectsin dogs, including stomach upset. Other risks include elevated liver enzymes and worsening kidney disease. A veterinarian can monitor for these with routine blood tests.

Deracoxib (Deramaxx)Deracoxibworks by lowering inflammation and isFDA approvedfor use in dogs. Veterinarians prescribe this NSAID to treat a variety of conditions, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Pain after surgery
  • Injuries
  • Some cancers

Deracoxibcan cause stomach upset, which can be reduced by giving the medication with food. It can worsen preexisting liver or kidney disease, so a veterinarian may perform blood tests before prescribing it and during treatment.

Firocoxib (Previcox) Another NSAID that lowers inflammation isfirocoxib. It'sFDA approvedfor dogs to treat pain from injury, surgery, and arthritis. It's a once-daily pill that's prescribed at the lowest effective dose.

Firocoxib can cause stomach upset in dogs. Other more serious side effects are rare but can include changes in appetite or energy level. Dog owners who observeadverse effectsshould contact their veterinarian for advice.

Meloxicam (Metacam)Meloxicamis anFDA-approvedNSAID that blocks inflammation. It's typicallyprescribedto dogs to treat pain from:

Meloxicam is available as an oral liquid, a spray, or a chewable tablet. Veterinarians often start dogs on a high dose and then taper down for long-term use.

Similar to other NSAIDs, meloxicam can cause stomach upset. Because of the risk of kidney or liver side effects, a veterinarian may run blood tests every 6 to 12 months.

Grapiprant (Galliprant)Grapiprantis a type of NSAID that'sFDA approvedto relieve arthritis pain and inflammation in dogs. Unlike other pain relievers, it doesn't affect the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, or blood-clotting pathways in the body. This helps reduce the risk of side effects.

Grapiprant may not be a good choice for dogs withheart disease. The medication may interfere with other NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and medications used to treat heart problems. Unlike other NSAIDs, grapiprant is best given without food. But it's OK to give the medication with food if your dog gets sick when taking it on an empty stomach.

GabapentinGabapentinwas originally developed to treat seizures in people. It is not FDA approved to treat pain in dogs. But it is commonly prescribedoff-labelby veterinarians.

Gabapentin reduces pain-producing signals from nerve cells, which can help dogs withnerve pain. It's also used to treat arthritis and chronic back pain in dogs.

The most common side effects of gabapentin in dogs are tiredness and poor balance. These reactions often happen at high doses and tend to wear off in 8 to 12 hours.

Steroids Steroids such asprednisoloneanddexamethasonehelp manage excessive inflammation that leads to pain in dogs. They are sometimes prescribed off-label to treat:

Veterinarians typically prescribe steroids forshort-term usebecause they can suppress the immune system. This raises the risk of your dog getting an infection.

Steroids are available as injections, tablets, and oral liquids. Common side effects include:

  • Increased thirst or appetite
  • Weight gain
  • Restlessness

Steroids should not be combined with NSAIDs, grapiprant, or aspirin because they can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening reactions. Make sure to tell a veterinarian if your dog takes other medications.

TramadolTramadolis an opioid that blocks pain signals. It's sometimes used off-label by veterinarians for dog pain and is typically prescribed with other medications. But in more recent years, veterinarians have started to question how well tramadol works to manage pain. So it's not prescribed as often to dogs, especially if your dog hasn't tried other options for pain relief.

OTC pain relief for dogs

Some over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be used to relieve pain in dogs. But check with a veterinarian before using these products. Not all OTC pain medications are safe for dogs. Your dog's vet can also recommend the proper dosage and ensure they won't interfere with other medications your dog is taking.

Let's look at your choices for OTC pain relief for dogs.

St. John's wort This herbal supplement is sold in several oral formulations, including capsules, powders, and liquids. It's believed to work by blocking certain brain chemicals that trigger pain signals. But bear in mind that few studies have been done on dogs. Human studies have yieldedmixed results.

St. John's wort caninteractwith other medications your dog may take, includingparoxetine, raising the risk of serotonin syndrome. This can cause muscle tremors, agitation, and other dangerous symptoms. It's important to discuss this supplement with a vet before giving it to your dog.

CBD Studies suggestCBDcanimprove arthritis painin dogs. But CBD can interfere with other medications your dog takes and elevate their liver enzymes. CBD may also causeside effectsin dogs such as lethargy and stomach upset.

Aspirin Veterinarians often prescribe aspirin to treat arthritis or other forms of musculoskeletal inflammation in dogs. But it's important to get thedosageright, since anoverdosecan be deadly for dogs. Adverse reactions in dogs are common and can include stomach upset and ulcers.

Are human painkillers safe for dogs?

Some human painkillers are safe for dogs. But it's a bad idea to give your dog pills withouttalking to a veterinarian. Some human medications can harm dogs, most notablyibuprofen(Advil, Motrin).

Ibuprofen can bepoisonous to dogs, even at small doses. Never give ibuprofen or naproxen sodium (Aleve) to dogs.

Alternative pain relief remedies safe for dogs

You may be able to relieve your dog's pain without using any medications. Here are the top strategies that veterinarians recommend.

Rest Limiting your dog'sphysical activityis particularly helpful for relieving acute pain from injuries or surgery. Shorten walks, avoid rough play, and keep your dog on the ground level of your house to prevent stair climbing.

Ice or heat therapy If your dog hasarthritis pain, try applying an ice pack to numb the painful area after exercise. Applying a heat pack will also decrease pain while improving the flexibility of arthritic joints.

Acupuncture This ancient Chinese practice uses tiny needles placed on the surface of the skin to stimulate nerves. The resulting electrical signals canblock pain.

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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line

There are plenty of effective pain relievers approved for use in dogs that will provide relief. Common prescription pain medication options for dogs include carprofen, grapiprant, and meloxicam. These options are better than human medications, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), which can harm dogs. Selecting the right pain medication at the correct dose is essential for guaranteeing your dog's safety. So it's important to consult with a veterinarian before starting any pain regimen.