There are few pain medicines made specifically for dogs. According to "The Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat," this is because making, testing and getting a drug approved takes years, sometimes decades, so pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to invest the money. Mainly, medications for canine pain are human medications used off label by a veterinarian.
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Precautions
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Never give any prescription painkillers made for humans to dogs because most painkillers for humans are based on the body weight of a human, making the medicine far too powerful for dogs. Even over-the-counter medications for humans are too large for dogs and must be given according to how much the dog weighs. Call the vet before giving any type of pain killing medication to a dog to be sure it does not clash with your dog's current medical conditions. Call the vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center if the dog begins to show any abnormal symptoms or sudden bizarre behavior changes. Even dogs on medications prescribed by a vet may not tolerate the dose.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
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Never give ibuprofen to dogs. It will poison them. Weigh the dog in order to determine dosage. According to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," dogs can take aspirin. Give the buffered kind, if possible, which is gentler on the dog's stomach. Give with food to reduce the chance of vomiting. The dosage is 4 to 10 mg per lb. that the dog weighs. Call the vet to determine what specific dosage the dog should get. Dogs can also take acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol), but some are allergic to it. Give two or three times per day. Dosage is 5 to 10 mg per lb. that the dog weighs. Controversy exists whether naxoproxen is safe for dogs at 1.1 to 2.2 mg per kg (not lb.) that the dog weighs. If a vet recommends it, supervise the dog to be sure side effects do not develop.
Prescription Drugs
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These drugs can only be acquired with a veterinarian's prescription, but some may be filled at human pharmacies. Types include COX-2 inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and narcotics. Corticosteroids may be given when inflammation is causing pain, such as in arthritis. Confer with your vet over what type is best--pills, liquids or injectable medications. One NSAID pain medicine made specifically for dogs is carprofen (brand name Rimadyl). Give 1 mg for every pound the dog weighs. Give with food to avoid nausea twice a day.
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