Note: This medicine can cause internal bleeding and other nasty side effects regardless of coating, always speak to your vet before giving it to your dog. It’s better to try natural supplements such first to avoid the potential risks of aspirin. The usual dosage when treating healthy dogs is 5 mg/lb given by mouth twice daily (at most), though dogs with medical conditions such as hypoalbuminemia will often be given a lower dose or a different medicine. If you’re using a human formulation you can use either “baby-strength” (81 mg) or regular strength pills (325 mg) depending on the size of your dog. However, veterinary formulations are generally better and come in strengths which are easier to work with.
It’s also important to know the difference between the most common types of aspirin as some of them can be harmful or ineffective: Plain Plain (or uncoated) aspirin is intended for human use. In dogs uncoated formulations could irritate the lining of the stomach and cause internal bleeding. Enteric-Coated This formulation is made to protect the stomach from the effects of the drug. However it is not effective for treating dogs as they do not always digest the coating fully, meaning enteric-coated formulations will not always be able to provide enough relief from pain. Studies have also failed to show any real difference between the effects of enteric-coated and uncoated formulations on the stomach. Buffered Buffered medicines contain ingredients to balance the drug’s acidity which in theory helps to protect the stomach, though studies have shown that even buffered aspirin can cause bleeding and irritation. If you must use aspirin to treat your dog this is the type you should use. Most formulations created for animals will be buffered but it’s always a good idea to double check.
While not as commonly used as veterinary painkillers like Metacam® and Rimadyl®, it can provide pain relief in a pinch. The majority of possible complications are related to stomach irritation and bleeding, but you can help to minimize this risk by administering the medicine with food and only using it on rare occassions. It may not be suitable for animals suffering with:
It can be used in dogs with hypoalbuminemia, but a lower dosage may be needed to prevent toxicity. It should not be given to pregnant or nursing dogs or to puppies who do not yet have the correct digestive enzymes to process the drug. It may also delay labor. Important: This drug stops blood from clotting properly making it especially dangerous when given to those with internal bleeding or peptic (stomach) ulcers.
Dangerous effects can occur when aspirin is given with other medicines that raise serum salicylate levels (such as Pepto-Bismol) or with other drugs that thin the blood (such as warfarin). Toxicity: Toxicity begins at around 30 mg/lb. Levels this high can cause severe kidney damage and extreme blood loss which could quickly become life threatening. You can find some of the most common overdose symptoms near the bottom of this page.
Why Do Vets Prescribe Aspirin for Dogs?
Vets usually prescribe aspirin for dogs with osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with these conditions and can offer your dog relief from symptoms.
Veterinarians also use aspirin to treat a variety of other conditions. If you have a question about why your vet recommended administering aspirin, call the office. Thanks to some of the more serious side effects associated with the drug, aspirin is not a medication that owners should give their dogs without veterinary approval, so be sure to pay close attention to your veterinarian’s instructions.
There are two sizes of aspirin available for use in dogs, adult aspirin (325 mg) and low dose aspirin (81 mg). It is recommended to give buffered aspirin if possible.
1 adult aspirin/40 pounds body weight given every 12 hours. Do not exceed 2 tablets for any dog.
It can also have a positive effect on the heart. Despite its contraindication for dogs with kidney disease, aspirin has been used the past to treat glomerular disease. Aspirin is a poor choice for the long-term management of arthritis as there’s some evidence to show that it could harm the joints and cartilage when used on a regular basis.
While not as commonly used as veterinary painkillers like Metacam® and Rimadyl®, it can provide pain relief in a pinch. The majority of possible complications are related to stomach irritation and bleeding, but you can help to minimize this risk by administering the medicine with food and only using it on rare occassions. It may not be suitable for animals suffering with:
* Look out for dark, tarry stools or traces of blood in urine which can indicate this problem. If you suspect internal bleeding call the vet immediately and stop using the medicine. Be on the lookout for some the “stealthier” symptoms of a bad reaction. Vomiting coupled with changes in levels of thirst could be a sign of kidney damage. Kidney damage most often occurs in pets with existing kidney problems, and is thought to be a result of a reduction in the blood supply to the kidneys. Over time the damaging gastric effects of aspirin can reduce. This may be due to the way the drug works, by producing a substance known as ATL (aspirin-triggered lipoxin) which has a protective effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach. However, aspirin is only recommended for use in the short term, for a longer-term solution, seek other medications. Overdose Symptoms: An overdose could be fatal if left untreated. If you suspect you have accidentally overdosed your pet (anything at or above 30 mg/lb is toxic) or if they have eaten a large/unknown number of tablets you should call a vet right away. Symptoms of overdose can include:
It can be used in dogs with hypoalbuminemia, but a lower dosage may be needed to prevent toxicity. It should not be given to pregnant or nursing dogs or to puppies who do not yet have the correct digestive enzymes to process the drug. It may also delay labor. Important: This drug stops blood from clotting properly making it especially dangerous when given to those with internal bleeding or peptic (stomach) ulcers.
Note: This medicine can cause internal bleeding and other nasty side effects regardless of coating, always speak to your vet before giving it to your dog. It’s better to try natural supplements such first to avoid the potential risks of aspirin. The usual dosage when treating healthy dogs is 5 mg/lb given by mouth twice daily (at most), though dogs with medical conditions such as hypoalbuminemia will often be given a lower dose or a different medicine. If you’re using a human formulation you can use either “baby-strength” (81 mg) or regular strength pills (325 mg) depending on the size of your dog. However, veterinary formulations are generally better and come in strengths which are easier to work with.