When people experience pain, they take an NSAID pain reliever like aspirin.
However, when your dog is experiencing pain, you may wonder if it’s alright to give them the same medication.
Although aspirin can be safe for dogs, there is a lot that you need to know before giving it to your pet.
What is Aspirin and Why Do Vets Use It?
Aspirin is an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that is often used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation.
This medication can also help prevent blood from clotting and it is safer for long-term use than steroid medications.
However, NSAIDs can cause side effects when taken by both dogs and people, so it’s important that you never administer them to your dog without first consulting your vet.
Veterinarians will usually prescribe aspirin for dogs struggling with either musculoskeletal or osteoarthritis inflammation-related pain.
Although it is also used for a variety of other conditions as well.
Because aspirin is an anti-inflammatory, it can help alleviate both the pain and the inflammation that is causing it.
You may also want to give your dog CBD for pain. We recommend Diamond CBD for dogs.
Potential Side Effects
As with any medication, there are potential side effects of aspirin for dogs, and it’s important to be aware of these risks if your vet has recommended giving your dog aspirin.
Some of the most common symptoms to look out for include:
- Black stool
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Ulcer development
- Erosion of mucous membranes
All of these symptoms can be a sign that your dog is having a bad reaction to the aspirin.
You should stop administering the medication immediately and contact your vet as soon as possible.
Another risk is overdose, and this can happen if you accidentally give your dog more aspirin than they can safely consume.
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Coma
- Hemorrhaging
- Death
Always check and double-check how much aspirin you are giving your dog before administering it.
Never give them more than prescribed and if you accidentally make a mistake, contact your vet or the ASACP’s 24-hour Animal Poison Control hotline at (888) 426-4435.
How Much Aspirin Should You Give Your Dog?
Aspirin is not something that you want to take chances with, and you should never give your dog any aspirin without first consulting your doctor to learn how much your dog can safely ingest.
While the Merck Veterinary manual currently recommends a dose of between 10 to 40ml per kilogram of weight, this isn’t the case for all dogs.
The exact dose that is safe for your dog can depend on their age, tolerance, and underlying conditions.
Furthermore, even if you have a confirmed dosage from your vet, you will also want to learn which type of aspirin you should purchase.
For instance, aspiring tablets that are enteric-coated are designed to help protect against stomach irritation in humans.
However, this type of aspirin isn’t recommended for dogs as often the coating isn’t able to be digested and it will pass whole in the dog’s excrement.
You will also want to let your vet know about any other medications your dog is taking, especially if they were prescribed by another veterinarian.
This can help you avoid any potentially dangerous interactions that could be dangerous.
Dogs that are pregnant should also be examined before being given any aspirin.
Potential Alternatives
If your dog is unable to take aspirin due to a condition or reaction, there are other medications that your vet might prescribe instead.
Carprofen is commonly used to treat dogs struggling with osteoarthritis and is often better tolerated by dogs.
Keep in mind that whatever your vet chooses to prescribe, you should never take matters into your own hands to try and treat their pain.
If you’re not satisfied with their treatment, you can always take your dog to another vet for a second opinion, but never give them any medications without first getting approval.
Doing this can put your dog in danger and potentially cause them a lot more harm than good.
Can I Give My Dog Bayer Low Dose Aspirin?
You may be able to give your dog some Bayer low dose aspirin, if your vet says it’s okay.
This is basically the same as a baby aspirin, in terms of potentcy.
Work With Your Vet to Come Up With a Plan
If your dog is struggling with pain, you’ll want to do whatever it takes to help them.
The good news is that there are numerous pain relief treatments for dogs that can help them get back to living a pain-free life.
While your vet may prescribe aspirin, remember to never give your dog any medications without first having them approved by your vet.
This is especially true when it comes to aspirin, as an overdose can be lethal.
With all of this in mind, you can help manage your dog’s pain and get them on a medication that works safely for them.