Aspirin is usually the first drug of choice for pain relief in dogs, especially if the pain originates from arthritis or joint damage. Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and shouldn't be combined with other NSAIDs.
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Types
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Aspirin comes buffered or with an enteric coating. Always buy buffered aspirin since your dog can't metabolize the enteric coating, which could cause an overdose.
Size
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You can give your dog a low-dose 81mg aspirin, or you can calculate 10mgs per one pound of body weight, given every 12 hours.
Effects
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As a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), aspirin reduces inflammation and blocks some pain receptors.
Warning
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Long-term use of any NSAID, including aspirin, can cause stomach ulcers, gastric bleeding, diarrhea, vomiting and liver and kidney damage.
Considerations
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You can purchase low-dose dog aspirin at your vet or a pet store, but you can also use the children's or low-dose adult aspirin sold in drugstores.
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