Seeing your dog in pain can be hard to handle. Whether they have a sore paw, or they've been stung by a bee, you don't want to watch them suffering in any way. That is why at Plymouth Veterinary Hospital, we can tailor a pain management protocol to suit your dog's best needs. We will perform an examination, and we can better pinpoint the source of pain.
Are over the counter (OTC) pain relief medications safe for your dog?
Humans can easily access a range of OTC pain relief for a variety of issues. Acetaminophen (paracetamol), ibuprofen, and aspirin are just some of the medications commonly used by us for pain relief. When your dog is in pain, it might be tempting to give them one of these medications to help them. However, merely giving them something from your medicine cabinet isn't a good idea. While there are similar medications for dogs, giving them products made for humans could do more harm than good. An incorrect dose, problems with mixing drugs, and sensitivity to human medications can all cause issues.
Human medications given to dogs could cause complications, including:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Ulcers
- Holes in the stomach lining
- Liver and kidney damage
When can you give your dog NSAIDs?
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a group of medications that reduce inflammation, pain, and fever in dogs.
These are a group of medications that we utilize as part of our pain management protocols. The ones that we offer at our hospital are: Deramaxx, Eloxi-oral and Galliprant to name a few.
Are there alternatives to medication?
There are alternatives to medications that we may propose as part of your dog's pain management protocol. These alternatives include laser therapy, special diets, dry needling, platelet-rich plasma therapy injections, and supplements to name a few. The options are bountiful nowadays to keep your dog more comfortable when confronted with pain. Give us a call today or make an appointment so we can tailor the best pain management protocol for your dog today!