Can I Give My Dog Aspirin?

If your dog has suffered or is suffering from minor pains or aches, then you’ve probably considered giving it some aspirin. No pet owner wants to see its dog suffering from pain. Just like humans, dogs also feel pain just the same. Most people use aspirin to help get rid of pain and other aches, but as a pet owner, you may be wondering if you can give it to your dog. But can you give your dog aspirin? Take a look at the explanation below:

To put it simply, you cannot just give your dog aspirin without consulting your veterinarian first. Dog owners should know that while aspirin has benefits when treating pain, it also has its side effects. Accidentally giving your dog too much dosage can also lead to detrimental consequences.

A BACKGROUND ON ASPIRIN

Basically, aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug that is also part of the family of medicines such as ibuprofen and carprofen. They can also be referred to as NSAIDs, and they are part of the category that is used for treating pain, fever and inflammation. They are part of the group of drugs that do not contain steroids, having fewer side effects. Nonetheless, they still have side effects that can affect the overall health and condition of your dog.

WHY DOES YOUR VET PRESCRIBE ASPIRIN?

Veterinarians will usually prescribe aspirin for special reasons. For example, if your dog suffers from arthritis or other musculoskeletal issues, then your veterinarian may prescribe aspirin for your dog to help alleviate or treat the pain and symptoms.

However, veterinarians may also prescribe aspirin depending on the health or medical situation your pet is in, and they will usually prescribe it for short-term use only. Aspirin isn’t really a recommended medicine when it comes to long-term treatment because of its side effects.

THE SIDE EFFECTS AND DANGERS OF ASPIRIN

While some people may insist that giving your dog aspirin is okay, you should still consult your veterinarian first. Dogs have adverse reaction to aspirin, and each time you are giving it some of it, is the same as risking it of its side effects. If you gave aspirin to your dog and notice some of the symptoms below, then you should contact your veterinarian right away:

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Black stools
• Lethargy
• Ulceration and mucosal erosion

You may also accidentally give your dog too much aspirin. This also requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of overdose include: seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, no appetite, hemorrhage, weakness, fainting, fever, paleness, dehydration, and many others.

ALTERNATIVES TO ASPIRIN

If aspirin has a lot of side effects, then what can be the alternatives for it? There are also other medications that are much safer and even more effective for treating aches for your dog. Talk to your veterinarian if giving Rimadyl, Predisone, Meloxicam or Etodolac are much safer options for your pet. These are some of the most common prescribed medications to relieve pain for pets. However, still make sure that you consult your veterinarian first before giving these medications to your dog.

On the other hand, if your dog is suffering from chronic pain, then you may also try natural forms of treatment such as massage, weight control, exercise, and even acupuncture. You can also try giving pup some dog supplements that can help alleviate symptoms of arthritis.