How long should my dog take pain and anti-inflammatory medication?

Hello. Just like you & me, if there is no longer any significant pain it is best to stop the aspirin. If Katie needs long term pain management, there are other medications that are safer than aspirin. The problem with aspirin is how quickly it can effect the clotting mechanisms, so generally I like to limit its use to about 3 days at a time. Take with your vet about safer options & ancillary treatments such as Adequan injections & glucosamine supplements if her pain continues & is due to osteoarthritis. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Poor Benito! When pets don't respond as well to anti-inflammaorties, I often try them on steroids (for 2-4 weeks), muscle relaxers and opioid pain medication. During this time, Benito should be crated at all times, allowed outside on a leash only to potty because you MUST make sure he is not moving around too much. You may also look into acupuncture or laser therapy which can also help significantly. Benito should be examined every 2 weeks until he is back to normal. The medications may need to be adjusted based upon his response. I hope this helps and that he feels better quickly.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Bentley is unwell. It sounds like the pain control is not lasting until the morning. I would ask your vet if the pain medication can safely be given more frequently (e.g. every 8 hours instead of every 12 hours). Also, your vet could consider an additional medication to be added on for more pain relief. We often use non-steroidal anti-inflammatories in addition to opioid pain medications for muscle pain or spinal injuries, for example. I hope this helps, and that Bentley is feeling better soon!

It can take a long time (2-4 weeks, in most cases) for symptoms to resolve completely with rest and medication. So as long as things are gradually improving, I would be patient and continue to follow your veterinarian's instructions :)

Sorry to hear about Clive. The mainstay treatments for orthopedic injuries are pain killers and anti inflammatories (NSAIDs). Since there may be a spinal / neural component to this, neuropathic medications and muscle relaxants may also come in very helpful especially during times of additional breakthrough discomfort. The type of medication to be dispensed will ultimately be a discussion with your primary vet, but NSAIDs that are common include carprofen (Rimadyl), deracoxib (Deramaxx), and meloxicam (Metacam). Other medications are things like opioids including tramadol and hydrocodone. In terms of the back, I would consider medications like gabapentin and methocarbamol to address this. There is another medication that I use in patients with refractory pain called amantadine, but I find it only effective when used in conjunction with NSAIDs. The periodic or daily use of many of these medications should be coupled with blood work at least twice yearly to be sure liver and kidney values are not elevating. Hope you get Clive all straightened out!

I am not sure if you are talking about a prior question you posted here. You don't mention the name of the anti-inflammatory you have on hand, but if it is an NSAID (non steroidal anti inflammatory) it would NOT be recommended to administer to a dog who has gastrointestinal upset as NSAIDS can in fact cause GI upset as a side effect. There are some over the counter anti diarrhea medications at pet stores that contain kaolin and pectin that can be useful in some diarrhea. Another over the counter consideration would be a probiotic.

Rascal could have had a painful condition since he was a puppy. Sometimes dogs do not show chronic pain so obviously. Your vet prescribed the anti-inflammatory and the pain medication to rule out that he has pain. If Rascal gets better, livelier and happier, then the medications are working against pain. If they do not make a difference, then he is not so painful and he may have a congenital defect that is causing the dragging and criss crossing the back legs. This would then warrant an exam by a specialist (veterinary neurologist) to find out what is wrong and to determine whether there is a treatment.