Painkillers for dogs - what should I pay attention to?
- How to recognize pain in your dog early
- Which painkillers are available for dogs and what side effects can occur
- What you should consider when giving dogs painkillers
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Contents: Painkillers for dogs
- How do I know if my dog is in pain?
- What painkillers are available for dogs and what side effects can occur?
- What you should consider when giving dogs painkillers
- Are there alternatives to painkillers?
- Conclusion - Painkillers for dogs
How do I know if my dog is in pain?
Dogs naturally try to hide pain so as not to be perceived as weak by the pack.
For this reason, you should observe your four-legged friend closely in order to recognize behavioral abnormalities early on and react accordingly. The symptoms can vary greatly depending on the problem. Limping and other unusual body movements can indicate joint problems or an injury.
It is not always clear why dogs howl . But they can show that something is wrong by making noises such as squeaking or yelping. The dog may react by twitching or yelping, especially if a painful part of the body is touched. Noises in the abdominal area such as gurgling or bubbling can indicate stomach pain.
In general, if you notice any changes in your four-legged friend’s behavior – even if it seems to be only minor things at first – you should take a closer look.
Signs of pain include:
- Change in eating behavior
- Uncommon noises
- Frequent licking of certain parts of the body
- Changed eating behavior
- Altered respiratory rate
- Behavioral changes (restlessness, lethargy, aggression)
If one or more of these signs occur, you should contact your veterinarian.
Your trusted vet should always be your first point of contact if you notice that your four-legged friend is in pain. The vet will examine your dog thoroughly to find the cause of his suffering. To do this, he will check the intensity of the pain and differentiate whether it is chronic or acute pain that has been going on for a long time. Based on the cause, he will determine the right painkiller for the dog.
What painkillers are available for dogs and what side effects can occur?
Although painkillers can be useful for dogs, they also pose risks. You can see the pros and cons here:
Advantages
- Painkillers for dogs reduce the suffering caused by illness or injury
- They are usually easy to dose and use
- Due to the different types of painkillers, the appropriate remedy can be adapted depending on the symptoms
- There are also herbal painkillers for dogs
Disadvantages
- Depending on the type of painkiller, unwanted side effects may occur
- Non-herbal painkillers can damage the dog’s organs
- Taking the medication for too long can cause serious harm to the dog
In general, the side effects and benefits of painkillers should always be weighed up.
What you should consider when giving dogs painkillers
If the veterinarian has prescribed the appropriate painkiller, it is important that you follow the exact dosage instructions and inform yourself about the side effects.
At the same time, the actual cause of the pain is the focus of the treatment. It could also be an allergy in the dog. The vet will draw up a treatment plan to help the dog as best as possible. This could be physiotherapy, for example, if the four-legged friend is struggling with joint problems.
What types of painkillers are there for dogs?
There are a variety of painkillers for dogs, each of which is manufactured differently and has different effects. In general, a distinction is made between weak, medium and strong painkillers. In the following section, we will introduce you to over-the-counter and prescription preparations.
Non-prescription painkillers for dogs
Over-the-counter painkillers for dogs are generally herbal preparations, which are generally less effective. Although these are available over the counter in pharmacies, they should also only be administered after consultation with a veterinarian.
Arnica
Arnica is administered in the form of small globules that you can administer with food. This herbal preparation is used for injuries as well as psychological trauma. Arnica also helps with joint problems and can speed up the healing process after an operation.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is also used as a natural painkiller. Its antibacterial properties make it anti-inflammatory and moisturizing.
Buscopan
Buscopan contains the active ingredient butylscopolamine bromide and is given to dogs for stomach pain and abdominal cramps. Since stomach problems can also indicate serious poisoning, the preparation should only be administered after the actual cause has been determined.
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Dreameel
Traumeel contains the active ingredient of various Asteraceae plants. This homeopathic painkiller is used for sprains and bruises. It is also used for arthritis complaints. Traumeel is available in tablet, ointment or drop form.
Prescription painkillers for dogs
Onsior
Onsior contains the active ingredient robenacoxib and is a prescription drug that veterinarians use to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
Metacam
Metacam contains the active ingredient meloxicam. This preparation has anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antipyretic effects. It is mainly used for joint diseases.
Novalgin
The active ingredient metamizole in Novalgin has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. The drug is used in particular for diseases of the urinary tract and colic.
Are there alternatives to painkillers?
You don't always have to resort to pain-relieving medication to help your four-legged friend. Alternatively, there are various healing methods that can also relieve pain. Acupuncture, for example, is one of the best-known methods in Chinese medicine and can have a pain-relieving effect on arthritis, hip dysplasia, slipped discs or other joint and back problems.
Conclusion - Painkillers for dogs
As soon as you notice that your dog is in pain, you should have him examined by a vet immediately. He can prescribe the right medication for your four-legged friend.
If you want to support your four-legged friend with painkillers, there are a few things to consider. Under no circumstances should you administer any medication without first consulting your vet.
Medicines used in humans are not suitable for animals and can, in the worst case, lead to death.
Painkillers for dogs can have significant side effects, so you should not use them arbitrarily.
There are also alternative methods to painkillers that can relieve pain in dogs with certain illnesses without any side effects.
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