Medication for Joint Pain in Dogs

Diet and Nutrition

• Often joint pain in younger dogs can be helped by a simple diet change, especially in larger breeds. Many large-breed puppies eat entirely too much or eat a puppy food designed for smaller breeds, resulting in a huge amount of calories every day. Too many calories causes rapid growth, and the dog's joints are unable to keep up. If you notice joint pain in your puppy, change her food to a high quality dry food specially designed for her breed or age. There are also therapeutic diets formulated specifically for dogs with joint pain and available through a veterinarian.

Glucosamine Supplements

• Glucosamine is a key building block of cartilage, and many pet owners find that supplementing their dog's diet with glucosamine tablets makes a big difference in the pet's comfort level. There are different brands and dosages of glucosamine tablets. Some are available over-the-counter, and some require a prescription from a veterinarian.

NSAIDs

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an excellent source of pain management and help to ease the symptoms associated with joint pain and inflammation in dogs. Drugs such as carprofen and deracoxib are extremely safe when used according to the instructions on the label, and, in most cases, they can be used indefinitely. For many dogs, controlling the symptoms of joint pain with an NSAID is all the treatment they will need. These drugs are sold under different brand names and in different concentrations, so talk to your veterinarian about how much to give and how often. Remember that human medications like aspirin can be extremely harmful to dogs. NSAIDs specially formulated for pets are prescription drugs, and your veterinarian will help you decide if they're right for your dog.

Monthly Injections

• Most joint pain occurs when there is not enough cartilage in a joint, creating too much friction. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSG) is usually a fantastic long-term treatment because it not only lubricates the joint but also helps to repair and rebuild cartilage. PSG comes in the form of an injection, given once a week initially, and then slowly scaled back to once a month after it begins to be effective. In addition to helping your dog, a PSG injection once a month is much more convenient than remembering to give tablets several times a day. PSG requires a prescription, and most veterinarians will need you to bring your pet in once a month, so they can give the injection.

Surgery

• Take your dog to the vet immediately for cases of extreme joint pain, especially if caused by a traumatic event like being hit by a car. In emergency cases, a heavy-hitting prescription drug such as tramadol may be used in the short term and only under your veterinarian's instruction. Often the best choice for extreme, chronic pain is surgery. Whether to perform surgery is a big decision and should be based on many factors, including age, weight, breed and medical history. Only you and your vet can make this decision.