Dog Arthritis and Treatment With Aspirin

Arthritis is a common wear and tear disease that affects older dogs. This type of arthritis is known as osteoarthritis and occurs when the cartilage between the bones wears away, causing painful friction in the joint. The most common joints affected are the hip joints, however the knees, elbows and other joints may also be affected. Arthritis is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. Treatment protocols center around reducing the pain and inflammation associated with the disease while slowing down the erosion of cartilage.

  1. Benefits

    • Aspirin is the drug of choice when it comes to starting a newly diagnosed dog in treatment. Aspirin is the least expensive drug and is available over the counter. Most dogs tolerate the drug well and respond positively in a matter of a few hours. Aspirin not only helps to alleviate pain but also reduces the inflammation that occurs in the joint from the constant friction caused by movement.

    Side Effects

    • The drawbacks to using aspirin include nausea, diarrhea and the potential for gastric bleeding. These side effects can usually be managed by giving the aspirin with food. The food will coat the stomach and allow the aspirin to be processed without causing harm to the mucosal layer in the digestive tract. Some dogs are allergic to aspirin and will not be able to take the drug. Symptoms of allergic reactions include swelling, especially around the face, difficulty breathing and hives. Another drawback is the potential for the dog to build up a tolerance to the drug over time, necessitating the use of more powerful and more expensive drugs.

    Combination Treatment

    • Many veterinarians will combine aspirin with the supplement glucosamine in order to provide pain and inflammation control, as well as a mechanism that will slow the progression of the disease by promoting the production of synovial fluid, which is the fluid that lubricates the joint and reduces friction.

    Dosage Considerations

    • Since dogs with arthritis will have symptoms for the rest of their lives, odds are they will be on medication for the rest of their lives. In order to ensure the dog can continue to receive aspirin for the longest period of time before building up a tolerance to the medication, the dog should be given the lowest possible therapeutic dose that controls its symptoms. Aspirin, like most other medications, can be dosed in a range which will allow for periodic adjustments of the medication as the disease progresses and the dog's body begins to build up a tolerance to the medication. Starting with the lowest possible dose allows the veterinarian to adjust the dosage higher at a later time and also reduces the chance that the dog will experience negative side effects.

    Additional Treatment

    • Dogs that have been diagnosed with arthritis and are being treated with aspirin should be kept active, but owners should limit the amount of stress placed on the affected joints by preventing unnecessary jumping up or down as well as limiting access to stairs.