What owners need to know about painkillers for dogs
There are numerous reasons, such as various diseases or even injuries, that can cause pain in dogs. The dog's pain can be either acute or chronic and in some cases may require the administration of a suitable painkiller.
The following section explains how to recognise pain in dogs and which painkillers can be used to treat it. We also explain what side effects can occur and why dogs should never be given painkillers for humans.
How pain manifests itself in dogs
For us humans, it is sometimes difficult to recognize pain in dogs. This is mainly because dogs, by their nature, hide it, as they do not want to be perceived by their pack as a sick and weak member.
To recognise pain in your dog promptly and to be able to counteract the complaints of your four-legged friend, you must therefore be attentive and keep an eye on possible behavioural problems.
Pain can make itself felt in dogs through changes in posture, movement sequences, breathing, eating behaviour, and general behaviour, among other things.
For example, if your dog experiences cramped posture and stiff movements, this may be an indication of chronic pain. Acute pain, on the other hand, can manifest itself in dogs through growling and restlessness.
What causes pain in dogs?
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from pain, it is advisable to visit your vet as soon as possible because, to successfully counteract the symptoms, it is necessary to determine the cause of the pain early and treat it.
It is therefore not advisable to simply administer a painkiller to your dog on the off chance and hope that it will relieve his pain. Instead, let the veterinarian determine the actual trigger and use the results of their examination to determine the appropriate treatment measures.
Painkillers for dogs can have side effects
In cases of severe pain, the administration of painkillers is often unavoidable. However, you should always be aware that these can sometimes cause some side effects in your dog.
A close look at the package insert reveals a long list of possible side effects that may be associated with taking a painkiller for dogs. Even if these do not necessarily have to occur, many dog owners are likely to have legitimate concerns.
Depending on which active ingredients a painkiller for dogs contains, the following side effects may occur, for example:
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Shivering and cramps
- Strong panting
- Changes in blood count
- Weight gain
- Tiredness and exhaustion
Given the numerous possible side effects, it is of course understandable that many dog owners are critical of the use of painkillers for their dog. Nevertheless, it is advisable to seek advice from a veterinarian and to be informed about the risks and benefits of the respective product.
Why dogs should not take painkillers for humans
If you suffer from headaches or similar complaints, you probably automatically reach into your medicine chest and take a painkiller with an active substance such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, these preparations are very dangerous for your dog and some are potentially lethal, even in small doses.
- Paracetamol attacks the dog's mucous membranes and also causes severe liver damage.
- Aspirin also damages the mucous membranes and causes bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Diclofenac can cause damage not only to the liver but also to the dog's kidneys.
- Ibuprofen causes bleeding in the digestive tract and damage to the kidneys and mucous membranes.
As you can see, the wrong painkiller will not relieve your dog's symptoms. Instead, it may increase the symptoms and, in the worst case, even lead to their death.
To avoid such consequences for your dog, you should always talk to a vet before administering a painkiller and make sure that the product of your choice is actually suitable for dogs.
These painkillers are used for dogs
Several painkillers are suitable for treating dogs. We would like to introduce some of them to you in the following. The list includes over-the-counter and prescription painkillers for dogs.
Painkillers for dogs without prescription
- Traumeel is a homoeopathic preparation containing several medicinal plants and is especially recommended for dogs with joint problems such as arthritis.
- Buscopan is an over-the-counter painkiller with the active ingredient butylscopolaminium bromide, which can be administered to dogs mainly for the treatment of stomach pain and abdominal cramps.
- Arnica D6 Globuli is also a homoeopathic painkiller that can be used for dogs. It is used, among other things, to treat psychological trauma and pain after surgery.
Prescription drugs for pain in dogs
- Onsior is a prescription painkiller with the anti-inflammatory and analgesic active ingredient robenacoxib.
- Novalgin, or the active ingredient metamizole-sodium, is characterized by its antipyretic and analgesic effect. This analgesic for dogs is only available on prescription and can be used, for example, for colic and urinary tract disorders.
- Metacam is a prescription-only analgesic whose active ingredient meloxicam has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. It is used especially in dogs with joint diseases such as arthritis and arthrosis.
Food supplements as support
Given the side effects that prescription painkillers for dogs can have, more and more dog owners are turning to natural support in the form of nutritional supplements.
Depending on their composition, these also promise a pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory effect and can therefore at least be considered as a well-tolerated alternative or supplement to classic painkillers for dogs.
The most important facts about painkillers for dogs at a glance
As you can see, your dog can be in pain for many different reasons. For successful treatment and the right painkiller choice for your dog, you will therefore need to visit your vet.
You should also avoid treating your dog with painkillers from your medicine cabinet. This is because the active ingredients contained in them are in many cases life-threatening for dogs.
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