A dog is a man’s best friend. This is a common phrase that describes the long relationship and close companionship between a dog and humans. There are many reasons why we call them our best friend. They have such lovable characteristics, they are loyal, and they are selfless in providing their human family with companionship, love, and loyalty. For the majority of pet owners, a dog is not just a dog. They are family. Like humans, these furry friends sometimes go into some difficult times. They also get sick even if we have been taking good care of them. It pains us to see them suffering, and we would like to ease that pain. Seeing them in pain is heartbreaking, and we don’t want to watch them suffering from pain.
If we see pain behaviors in our dogs, whether it may be sore in the paw or they may have been bitten by something, it is best to see a doctor. Knowing that your dog is suffering from pain, we want to ease that right away by thinking of giving them over the counter prescription but wait. Stop yourself if you are thinking of getting over the counter prescriptions. These medicines and other human medications can be harmful or fatal for our dogs.
The best thing to do is to see a veterinarian have your pets checked. As soon as they have checked your pet, they will know what’s bothering them and then give you a prescription on which medicine to buy and with the right dosage.
So what are the common pain medicines for dogs?
Be very aware that over the counter medicines like Aspirin, Advil, or Tylenol or other pain relievers that are for human consumptions may be harmful to your dogs except if they are prescribed by your vet.
Your vet would most likely prescribe Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. These drugs treat stiffness, muscle pains, and joint pains for humans. These drugs are preferred by most vets to treat pains for dogs. They can provide relief to a dog with inflammatory problems, arthritis, or pain associated with surgery.
There are a number of approved NSAIDs by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for dogs to ease or control pain that may be caused by inflammation or pains that are caused by surgery.
Here’s a list of FDA-approved Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) for Dogs :
- Carprofen: is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is often prescribed by vets. It falls under the class of propionic acid, and it provides daily treatment for inflammation and various kind of pain. This drug is marketed under many trade names globally.
- Deracoxib: marketed by trade names Deramaxx and Doxidyl, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) under coxib class. This is also often prescribed by vets to treat any pain associated with surgery or osteoarthritis. It can also treat inflammatory problems on canines.
- Firocoxib: marketed under the brand name Previcox, Firocoxib is also another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that most veterinarians prescribe to relieve or provide treatment for inflammation and pain due to surgery or various kind of joint pain.
- Grapiprant: is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is marketed under the brand name Galliprant. It has been approved by the FDA for veterinary use as a pain reliever.
- Melaxicam: is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is approved by FDA for veterinary use to treat or reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation. It is marketed under many brands worldwide.
- Robenacoxib: is another FDA approved nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) which falls under coxib class. It can help control and treat inflammatory problems and pain in canines. It is marketed under the brand name Onsior.
Knowing that our dear furry friend is in pain can make us worry and upset. In as much as we want to ease the pain and make them feel better right away, it is best to consult a veterinarian to get the right prescription. It is also a wise decision to visit the vet so that you will know what causes the discomfort.
Knowing what to do in such times would help you and your pet. Be very careful about what you give them. Be sensitive about how they feel. Do not hesitate to visit your vet prior to giving your dog any kind of medicine.
