There are many controversies regarding the anti-inflammatories for dogs, as these are medications that cannot be administered indiscriminately and without first receiving a veterinary prescription. As with humans, self-medicating this type of medication can be contradictory to the dog's health.
Why are anti-inflammatories used for dogs without steroids?
Anti-inflammatory drugs that do not have steroids are the most popular in veterinary medicine, they are prescribed when the dog suffers from any disease, condition or injury that leads to inflammation, whether mild, acute or chronic. This medicine flows through the dog's body until it reaches its nervous system where it takes effect, relieving the pain it suffers.
Let's see what are the effects that these anti-inflammatories have on the body of dogs:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also serve as analgesics and antipyretics.
- They are capable of reducing from the slightest pain to the strongest.
- They have an incredible adhesion to the target tissue, this is because they can bind to proteins better than other drugs.
- Its effectiveness is almost immediate, after taking it you only have to wait about an hour or half an hour to start feeling its effect. It will last all day.
- By not having immunosuppressants, this type of medication does not have side effects when taken for a long period of time.
Do you know what the enzyme cyclooxygenase or (COX) is? This is a natural protein that is produced automatically within our system and which is essential for our body to have different essential functions. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a specific effect on this enzyme.
One of the tasks that this enzyme has in our body is the production of some types of essential substances, among them prostaglandin. Let's find out what effects this substance has on the body of dogs:
- It is closely related to inflammation, pain and the elevation of body temperature.
- It is responsible for the protection of the dog's stomach and intestines.
- It ensures that the blood to the kidneys is kept in constant movement and does not stop flowing.
- It is essential for blood coagulation.
Some of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can have an effect against the COX enzyme causing it to stop producing prostaglandins, this brings dangerous awareness to our dogs. Many times it has been seen that dogs that have these side effects can suffer from vomiting, diarrhea (which may not have the presence of blood), loss of appetite and decay.
In some more serious cases, the presence of gastric ulcers, damage to the stomach or intestinal walls, kidney problems can also be observed and can even cause death if not treated in time. If your dog is medicated with a medication like this and you notice that it presents any of these symptoms, immediately eliminate the dose and go quickly to the veterinarian, who will be in charge of evaluating the dog, treating the symptoms and then prescribing medications that do not affect the animal's health and can treat its initial condition.
Are anti-inflammatories with steroids for dogs dangerous for them?
In some cases, especially in the Dog diseases allergies or inflammations, it is necessary to administer anti-inflammatories for dogs that contain steroids, these are also known as "corticosteroids". However, this type of medication can bring sequelae after excessive use or misuse of it, which is why they should always be prescribed by veterinarians.
Let's get to know some of the corticosteroids that are most used by veterinarians to treat different conditions in dogs:
- Prednisone
- Prednisolone
- Temaril-P
- neopredef
- Dexamethasone
- Methylprednisolone
- Triamcinolone
We can say that among this mentioned list, the two most used medications are Prednisone, which is used especially to treat various allergies and inflammations, and Prednisolone, which is produced naturally in the dog's body after obtaining the dose of prednisone, however, in some cases, veterinarians choose to prescribe medicines that already have this compound added, in this way its production is accelerated.
Steroids can affect the entire body of our pet, since pampering directly influences the entire canine system. For this reason, it is extremely important that, if a dog needs the use of this type of medication, it is closely supervised by a veterinarian, in this way its safety is much more guaranteed.
When steroids are used to reduce inflammation, they have an effect on the production of white blood cells in the dog's bone marrow, as these tend to decrease considerably. It is for this reason that this type of medication is used to treat hernia diseases that are associated with the bone marrow.
We must bear in mind that, even if we administer a minimum dose of anti-inflammatory steroids to our dogs, the adverse effects will not disappear, which is why it is always said that this type of medicine is somewhat dangerous for our canines. Some of the more common effects seen in dogs taking these medications include diarrhea, vomiting, and slow healing of lesions.
What are the most used commercial anti-inflammatories for dogs?
Next, we are going to know a small list of the commercial medicines that are most used for the treatment of dogs. It should be noted that all of these have been approved and certified by the corresponding health organizations, so they are perfectly legal. The following list will be made by the main component and then the name of the most used drugs that contain it:
- Carprofen: This medication can be found under different names, but its compounds will always be the same. The most popular is RIMODYL.
- Deracoxib: DERAMAXX, DOXIDYL
- Firocoxib: PREVICOX
- Ketoprofen: ANKOFEN, KETOFEN
- Meloxicam: MELOXIDYL, MELOXIC, METACHAN
- Prednisone: PREDNI-ZOO
- Prednisolone: Prednisolone
You must remember that the administration of any of these medications must be under the strict supervision of a veterinarian, because if they are not administered correctly they can have lethal consequences in our pets.
Can you give paracetamol or ibuprofen to a dog?
The first thing to keep in mind is that dogs should not be given human anti-inflammatory drugs. In the event that it is necessary to use any of them, it will be the veterinarian who will tell you which one is appropriate and how it should be administered so that they do not have an adverse effect that could harm the pet.
Some veterinarians resort to the use of ibuprofen to treat certain inflammatory cases, however, great care must be taken and use it only for as long as indicated by the specialist, otherwise, consequences can be caused. Currently, there are many medications for dogs that perform the same function as ibuprofen and that are specially designed for their species.
Another human medication that has been administered to dogs is aspirin. Although this medication seems harmless at first, it should also only be prescribed by a veterinarian, as many cases are known where the misadministration of aspirin has caused side effects in dogs.
On the other hand, you should know that paracetamol should not be given to a dog under any circumstances, as this medicine is completely harmful or toxic to canines.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should never give a cat the same medications that are prescribed for your dog. Remember that the system of each species is different, so what is good for one species may be harmful for another. Many cases are known where a cat has been seriously ill because its owner administered medication that he had previously given to his dog that suffered from the same condition as the feline.
As we have said before, anti-inflammatories can have harmful adverse effects on your dog, which can sometimes be fatal. That is why it is important that the administration of any of them is strictly supervised by the veterinarian who treats your pet, since he will be the only one capable of knowing when to stop the medication if he notices any negative effects.
anti-inflammatory drugs for dogs
Next we are going to know some medicines that can be used in dogs as anti-inflammatories. These are commonly prescribed by veterinarians and are the safest. However, pampering can also cause side effects that can affect our dogs.
Carprofen as a canine anti-inflammatory
Starting in 1997, caprofen was marketed as a canine anti-inflammatory. This type of medicine can be obtained with different names, however, the best known is Rimadyl®, even so, all the others are just as effective and fulfill the same function.
Carprofen is known as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, this drug is used especially in cases where dogs suffer from bone diseases such as osteoarthritis, however, it is also widely used to treat wounds after canine surgery. This medication works by relieving inflammation and joint pain, allowing the dog to have a more constant and less painful activity.
Although this has been listed as a drug for safe use, there have been cases where the common side effects of NSAIDs exist. Although it is an effective medication and considered one of the best since dogs tend to tolerate it easily, great care must be taken not to administer it to those dogs that are allergic to its compounds or to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in general.
Before this medication is administered, it is recommended that the dog first undergo some blood tests to rule out possible allergies or intolerance to the medication as such or to its compounds. In addition to that, the best thing would be if the doctor can keep a constant follow-up of the but while it is being treated, in this way he will be able to observe its evolution and whether or not it presents side effects.
In the event that a dog that is medicated with carprofen begins to present any of the side effects, it is recommended that the intake of the carprofen be stopped immediately and that the veterinarian be consulted as soon as possible.
What is Deracoxib and its effects on dogs?
This is a nonsteroidal drug that is used mostly in dogs that have undergone surgery, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces pain. In addition to this, it is also used in dogs that have osteoarthritis problems and injuries that may be painful or tend to become inflamed.
Its effects can be noticed after an hour has passed after taking the dose. It is recommended that the administration be carried out at the times indicated by the veterinarian, in this way its effects will be better and prolonged.
As for the adverse effects, they are the same as other medications without steroids, so if the presence of any is seen, we must suspend the doses and consult the veterinarian immediately. Great care must be taken with those dogs intolerant to medications of this type and those that are allergic to sulfonamides, as this is one of the essential compounds of this medication.
Meloxicam as an anti-inflammatory for dogs
El Meloxicam for dogs, is another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory that is very common in canine treatments. It is frequently used in those dogs that have bone or muscle diseases, as its anti-inflammatory effect reduces the pain and discomfort that these conditions can bring.
This medication has the effect of reducing hormones or substances that cause pain and inflammation in the body. This medicine is widely used for those roads that have just been operated on or that have suffered recent injuries that can be very painful or that can become inflamed. The medication and dosage of this medicine must be taken into account, since it can have side effects if it is not administered correctly. Its adverse effects are common in non-steroidals.
Use of Firocoxib as a canine anti-inflammatory
Like the previous medications, this is used especially in those dogs that have undergone a recent surgical intervention or that have undergone a recent injury that may cause pain or inflammation. However, this medicine is also used in some cases of carcinomas. Its effectiveness begins to be noticed after the passage of 1 or 2 hours after being consumed.
Its side effects are the same as those that can be caused by other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This type of medicine can be mixed with some other medicines, vitamins and some natural remedies. However, it will be the veterinarian who will indicate if this combination can be made and if it will not have consequences.
Dangers of Ketoprofen as an anti-inflammatory for dogs
This anti-inflammatory is used for those moderate ailments and inflammations that are not excessively strong. One fact that we can take into account about this medicine is that its use in domestic animals is not approved in the US, however, in other countries its use is common.
This drug is one of those that inhibit the COX enzyme, although its effect on it is random. Currently, this medicine is used mostly in horses, since its use in domestic animals is not very common, this is because Ketroprofen creates many side effects that other medicines do not usually have or that they have less than this one.
What are Prednisone and Prednisolone and how do they affect my dog?
These are anti-inflammatory drugs with steroids, they are one of the most common and used in veterinary medicine. Both drugs fulfill the same anti-inflammatory function. When prednisone reaches the dog's liver, it is converted to prednisolone. However, when dogs have liver diseases, some veterinarians choose to prescribe the use of medications whose compounds have prednisolone, in this way it acts immediately and you do not have to wait until the conversion of prednisone into it.
This medicine is used to treat the following diseases or conditions:
- Addison's disease (damage to the adrenal glands).
- Autoimmune diseases.
- allergy in dogs.
- Some cancers.
- Arthritis.
- Asthma.
- Intestinal problems.
- Skin conditions.
Although both are medications considered safe, they should always be supervised by a veterinarian, as they can bring the following adverse effects:
- Increased thirst
- increased urination
- Increased appetite
- slow wound healing
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Changes in behavior
- Allergic reactions
Natural anti-inflammatories for dogs
When a dog suffers from pain or inflammation due to an injury, trauma or illness, it should be taken to the veterinarian to be evaluated and subsequently medicated. Remember that under no circumstances is it advisable to give a dog anti-inflammatories that have not been prescribed by a specialist.
Having the above clear, we must mention that there are some natural compounds that act as anti-inflammatories. Although these should not be used as main medications, they can be very useful as complements to those already prescribed by the veterinarian. Of course, you should first consult with the doctor if you can use it, lest it be contraindicated for some of the medications that the dog may be consuming.
let's meet some natural anti-inflammatories for dogs:
- Arnica: This can be used natural but can also be bought at health food pharmacies, they can be found in topical presentation, as a cream and in capsules.
- Turmeric: This natural tuber acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory, it can be used in both dogs and humans. You can incorporate it into your usual food, either grated, crushed or small pieces.
- Cinnamon: this also works as a good homemade anti-inflammatoryIt has no side effects and can be consumed by dogs without any problem. It can be added to food, a pinch is enough for small dogs.
- White hawthorn: used especially to treat arthritis in dogs and humans, this because it acts especially in the production of collagen, it is also used as one of the best natural muscle anti-inflammatories. However, this medication may interfere with some other medications.
- Omega 3: omega 3 is very good for fighting inflammation, as they have compounds that act as combating agents for these conditions.
There are many other natural medicines that work as anti-inflammatories, however before using them, we recommend that you first inform yourself well about their compounds, uses and contraindications, in addition to that you should consult your veterinarian, he will tell you if it is good or not that your dog ingests these natural medicines.