Dog arthritis medication can be very effective when the family dog is suffering from joint pain and arthritis. Dog arthritis affects one in five dogs, so a large majority of people have to deal with this in their pets. It is a degenerative joint disease that occurs most frequently in older dogs.
The most common form of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis which is a result of trauma to the dog's joints. The main type of medication a vet will give when the family dog is suffering from joint pain and canine arthritis are NSAIDs such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam, Zubrin, Previcox and Novox. Each of these medications works in a different way, and on different symptoms.
Before these different forms of prescription dog arthritis medication became available, canine aspirin was the only form of treatment prescribed and even today, many vets still prescribe aspirins for dog joint pain relief.
NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that work to reduce dog arthritis pain, stiffness and inflammation. The arthritis pains in dogs cause their bodies to produce prostaglandins. These are the hormones that cause the inflammation in their joints. Drugs like NSAIDs can reduce the amount of prostaglandins that are produced, and this will relieve the pain and reduce the swelling of their joints.
There are some side effects to aspirin and NSAIDs and these should be discussed with a veterinarian. Some of these side effects include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, red, itchy skin or lethargy. One should watch their pet for signs of these or any other behavior that is out of character.
Rimadyl is the most popularly prescribed NSAID for dog arthritis. It is given once a day, and can be given as a chewable, a caplet or an injection. Previcox is the NSAID that is said to work the quickest and is given to the dog in a chewable form. Deramaxx is used for dogs over four pounds in weight and it does have side effects which involve the liver and kidneys. Metacam is the drug which has posted the most positive long-term tolerance in dogs, but there are still some side effects.
Dog arthritis medication is a good choice for those with dogs who suffer from severe joint pain. Some of the medications can really alleviate the symptoms of painful arthritis, but each dog will tolerate these NSAIDs differently. Speak to a vet about the one is right your dog.
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