What side effects do anti-inflammatories have in dogs?

Anti-inflammatory drugs, called NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), are the most commonly prescribed pain reliever in dogs , used primarily to treat pain and inflammation in veterinary medicine.

Inflammation, the body’s response to irritation or injury, is characterized by redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

It is important to note that we should NEVER administer them to animals without a prior veterinary prescription, as they can cause serious problems.

Do you want to know what the possible side effects of NSAIDs are?

NSAIDs are effective, but like all medications, they can produce certain side effects that we must assess:

• Not eating or eating less
• gastrointestinal ulcer
• Overdose
• Yellowing of the gums, skin, or whites of the eyes
• Skin changes (scabbing, redness, or scratching)
• Lethargy, depression, behavior changes
• vomiting
• Diarrhoea, black stools
• Change in drinking habits
• Change in urination
• Anorexy
• Gastrointestinal perforation
• liver toxicity
• Kidney toxicity, kidney failure
• Death

It is important to realize that adverse side effects can occur after one dose, many doses, or may never occur. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and they react uniquely to different medications. If you notice any side effects or problems after starting your dog on NSAIDs, call your vet and be sure to withdraw the medication.

It is also important to keep these medications in a secluded place , where the dog cannot get to them, since unfortunately one of the most common reasons for side effects related to NSAIDs is overdose. Many of the NSAIDs are flavored for ease of administration and this also makes them attractive to pets who may eat them.

How to minimize the risks of NSAID side effects?

The best way to minimize adverse risks is to examine the dog and find out its health status to see if it can take this medication.
Before prescribing NSAIDs, your veterinarian will need to obtain a full health history and perform a complete exam to determine if your dog has any contraindications such as pre-existing conditions or medications that increase the risk of side effects.

Your vet will obtain a blood test to screen for conditions where these medications are best avoided. Kidney, liver or stomach ailments.

We must also take special care NOT to give our dogs medications for humans , as they can suffer from poisoning. We must consider that in animals the dose that we can give is much lower, it is usually 5 mg per kilogram, and from 100 mg gastric ulcers begin to appear.

Should I supervise my dog while taking NSAIDs?

Just as important as detection is monitoring the dog once the medication has been started . Your vet will likely recommend rechecking your dog’s blood and urine regularly. This motorization allows you to ensure that your dog is tolerating the medication without developing adverse effects. All NSAID manufacturers recommend baseline blood tests as well as regular checkups to minimize the chance of serious side effects.

All NSAIDs should be used with caution because they have the potential to cause side effects, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and perforations. They should be taken only when necessary, since doses that are too high or for too long without veterinary control can cause serious problems.

We must find a way to reduce the dog’s pain, so that it does not get worse quickly. The most effective way to control pain with minimal side effects is a combination of several treatments . So we must value all the solutions on the market.