NSAID: Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs.
What Everyone Needs to Know!
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs) are an important class of drugs in Veterinary medicine and offer much needed pain relief to many pets. Although there are many NSAIDs available in human medicine, most dogs simply cannot take them. Drugs like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Aleve can all cause toxicity when given to dogs.
For this reason, many different forms of NSAIDs have been developed over the years for use in dogs. Some have been safer than others. All have similar side effects. All have been used to treat pain and inflammation.
To understand NSAIDs better, you need to know how they work. The drugs, in general, suppress inflammation by inhibiting the body’s ability to produce a hormone substance known as prostaglandin. Prostoglandin forms as the body’s natural reaction to cell injury.
It is the inhibition of prostaglandin that is important. The NSAID actually inhibits the enzymes necessary in the formation of prostaglandin. The enzymes are known as cyclo-oxygenase (COX).
There are two types of COX enzymes
COX-1Protects the Stomach Lining and Helps Maintain Kidney FunctionCOX-2Causes Inflammation and also Helps Maintain Kidney FunctionAs you can see, it would be important and beneficial to inhibit COX-2 and not COX-1.
This has been an ongoing issue with the development of NSAIDs for years. Many of the safety issues surrounding these medications are associated with the types of COX inhibition.
Here is a List of Some Popular NSAID
Rimadyl inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2
Rimadyl inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2Deramaxxinhibits COX-2
Deramaxxinhibits COX-2 Previcox inhibits COX-2
Previcox inhibits COX-2Metacam inhibits COX-2
Metacam inhibits COX-2Other known side-effects to NSAIDs in dogs
Gastrointestinal (Including vomiting, diarrhea, and gastric bleeding)
Gastrointestinal (Including vomiting, diarrhea, and gastric bleeding)Kidney
Kidney Liver
LiverClotting Problems
Clotting ProblemsNeurologic Symptoms
Neurologic SymptomsHow to use NSAIDs safely in your pet:
Always check laboratory work on your pet. It is typically recommended by your Veterinarian prior to starting any long term therapy with NSAIDs and then intermittent monitoring is critical to check for any signs of liver or kidney problems.
Always check laboratory work on your pet. It is typically recommended by your Veterinarian prior to starting any long term therapy with NSAIDs and then intermittent monitoring is critical to check for any signs of liver or kidney problems.Always offer plenty of water to your pet. This will help with keeping the kidneys well hydrated.
Always offer plenty of water to your pet. This will help with keeping the kidneys well hydrated.Always give pills with food. This often helps control abdominal symptoms and nausea.
Always give pills with food. This often helps control abdominal symptoms and nausea.Never give excessive doses of medications to your pet. This could lead to an acute overdosage and toxicity.
Never give excessive doses of medications to your pet. This could lead to an acute overdosage and toxicity.Discontinue medication and call your Veterinarian at the first sign of any problem or illness in your pet.
Discontinue medication and call your Veterinarian at the first sign of any problem or illness in your pet.Never use any of these medications in CATS!
Never use any of these medications in CATS!Winrock Animal Clinic
Where pets are family!
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