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We hate to see our dogs in pain. If your dog is suffering with pain from an injury or disease, it can be tempting to treat him the way we treat ourselves—with a painkiller like aspirin. Before you reach into your medicine cabinet, talk to your vet. Vets do prescribe aspirin for dogs, but aspirin has some serious side effects that dog owners need to be aware of.
Aspirin is an NSAID, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This puts it in the same category as ibuprofen, naproxen, carprofen, and a long list of other NSAIDs geared toward humans and animals.
NSAIDs are used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. Aspirin also acts as an anti-coagulant, preventing blood from clotting. In general, NSAIDs have fewer side effects than steroids, although certain NSAIDs like Rimadyl are better suited for long-term use than others. But all of them can cause side effects, so talk to your vet about the best painkiller for your dog’s condition.
In Low Doses, Bayer is Safe Enough For Dogs
This form of aspirin can be used as a temporary pain reliever.
Do not give your dog Bayer as a way to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Such a well-intentioned idea doesn’t make much sense and will unnecessarily put your pet at risk.
Ironically though, Bayer’s low-dose 81mg AKA “Baby Aspirin” can be given to ease pain.
And Bayer’s chewable, flavored versions are also more suited for dogs based on the lower standard dose.
Vets have long prescribed regular generic aspirin.
Still, play it safe! Consult with your vet.
The truth is your dog may or may not be a good candidate for Bayer. An entirely different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory could be what’s needed for their pain.
At the very least, get an expert’s recommendation in regards to dosing.
What should I do if my dog is limping?
If your dog seems sore after a vigorous play session, you should monitor his progress at home. Encourage him to rest for the remainder of the day, and monitor for improvement over the next 24 hours. If limping persists for more than one day, your family veterinarian should evaluate your dog for a more serious problem.
Any dog who becomes suddenly severely lame should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. Serious conditions, such as bone fractures, require prompt attention to prevent further damage and unnecessary pain.
Never attempt to relieve your dog’s pain by administering over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen (e.g., Aleve), acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), or aspirin. Human anti-inflammatories can cause life-threatening toxicities in pets, and you should give your dog only veterinarian-prescribed medications.
Aspirin for Dogs: is it safe?
When you’re uncomfortable, it may be customary for you to reach out for aspirin in your medicine cabinet like many people. Is it possible to do the same with your dog when they’re in pain? Can you give a dog aspirin to alleviate pain? Short answer: no.
You cannot give even baby aspirin to a dog. You may think that baby aspirin comes in safe doses, but it is still not suitable to treat a dog’s pain. However, you can give low-dose aspirin when the vet has prescribed it. You need to follow the vet’s prescription to the letter to avoid an improper aspirin dosage.
You should not give your dog the same other medications or forms of pain reliever you take, such as naproxen and ibuprofen when you feel pain — doing so can lead to all kinds of complications in your dog, namely kidney disease. Even in a small dose, naproxen and ibuprofen or other pain medications can be toxic to dogs. Always consult your veterinarian first before you give medications to your pet.
Aspirin is a pharmaceutical drug that relieves mild to moderate pain and reduces fever. It may reduce some swelling and pain as well. Again, this is true for most humans when you take aspirin, not the case for pets. It is always important to consult a vet first to know the right dosage to take.
Aspirin falls in the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is the first drug that was discovered in this class. The active ingredient in aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid or salicylate, which is present in plants such as myrtle, willow (typically in leaves and bark), and poplar trees. The first recorded use of salicylate was around 4,000 years ago. Famed classical Greek Physician Hippocrates relied on willow bark to provide pain relief and ease the fever. Some people, who prefer a natural remedy, still use willow bark to treat minor pains and headaches.
NSAIDs are not steroids, which often provide similar benefits. However, steroids have unfavorable side effects, and they are not suitable for everyone. NSAIDs are excellent analgesics and are likely to be non-narcotic. It means they do not cause stupor or insensibility.
If you are apprehensive about giving aspirin to your dog due to its classification and choosing to give Tylenol, you are putting your dog in danger. Although Tylenol is not a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, it is still something dangerous for your pet. Keep in mind that you should not give anything to your dog to treat its illness if you have not consulted the vet.