Dogs are vulnerable to pain either due to inflammatory conditions or traumatic experience. In such case, the vets prescribe aspirin for dogs.
The most common inflammatory condition in dogs is the osteoarthritis or canine arthritis. It is a degenerative joint illness that occurs in the cartilage, resulting to pain and inflammation.
- The aspirin aids the body in blocking its production and synthesis of prostaglandin to relieve pain caused by musculoskeletal injuries.It also mitigates the swelling in the joints.
- Aspirin is an efficient and safe medication for dogs for pain relief. However, it must be administered properly and dosage should be followed. Better yet, it is administered under the vet’s supervision.
- The medication should be administered on a short-term basis only. Before it is prescribed, the dog is tested through blood to establish a baseline of the health of the dog, and to collect information regarding the dog’s well-being.
- The normal dosage of aspirin in dogs is from 5mg to 10mg per pound of the weight of the dog, or between 10 and 20mg per kilogram weight every 12 hours.
Aspirin For Dogs Side-effects
Although safe because it does not contain any steroids, aspirins do have side-effects. Aspirin has high toxicity. Some of the aspiring for dogs side-effects include:
- Especially when administered on a long-term, the aspirin can cause damage on the joint and cartilage.
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Stomach damage
- Stomach irritation
- Gastrointestinal problem resulting to:
- Severe stomach irritation with vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Aspirin does not slow down the progress of osteoarthritis in dogs because of its unfavorable impact on proteoglycan synthesis, which can lead to degeneration of the joints.
- Dogs do not have the necessary breakdown the aspirin. As a result, it can damage the organs.
- It can cause ulcers if administered without food. A common symptom of ulcer is vomiting with blood.
- It can cause birth defects in pregnant dogs.
Aspirin For Dogs Risks
Dog owners considering aspirin should consider some of its risks and concern. Among the aspiring for dogs risks include:
- Health risks. Aspirin should not be given to dogs suffering from clotting disorders and bleeding as it can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
- It is advisable never use more than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin at one time.
- If there are other medications, it should be ensured that aspirin is not administered with corticosteroids.
- If the dogs will undergo any type of surgery, the dogs should stop taking aspirin at least one week before the surgery.
Human aspirin should not be given to dogs.