Analgesics are drugs used to relieve pain. There are many classes of painkillers. Demerol, morphine, codeine, and other narcotics are subject to federal regulation and cannot be purchased without a prescription.

Buffered or enteric-coated aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is an over-the-counter analgesic that is reasonably safe for a short time for home veterinary care in the recommended dosage for dogs. (Aspirin has a very low margin of safety for cats and should not be used.) Buffered or enteric-coated aspirin is much safer than regular aspirin because it is less likely to cause stomach and duodenal ulcers.

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Medications and Supplements for Dogs with Arthritis

These are anti-inflammatory medications, but they do not repair or heal cartilage. Ideally, they would be used along with supplements and given with food. These do provide rapid relief from pain. A few NSAIDs have chondroprotective characteristics, which means they protect against the breakdown of cartilage. Others, such as aspirin, actually destroy cartilage in the dosage required for pain relief. This is one reason why aspirin is used less frequently for treating osteoarthritis. The NSAIDs...

Read the Medications and Supplements for Dogs with Arthritis article > >

Aspirin remains effective as a short-term analgesic to control the pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries. It is no longer recommended for long-term control of osteoarthritis, because of its destructive effects on joint cartilage. There are better analgesics available that do not have this disadvantage. Aspirin should not be given to dogs with any bleeding or clotting disorders. Aspirin should be stopped at least one week before any surgery and should not be used during pregnancy, due to its effects on clotting mechanisms.

Note that individual dogs metabolize aspirin at very different rates. This inconsistency can lead to an unexpected accumulation of dangerous breakdown products in the animal’s body. As few as two regular-strength aspirin tablets can produce severe organ damage in some medium-size (30 pounds, 13.6kg) dogs. Follow the exact dosage given in the table on page 571 to avoid this complication.

Aspirin belongs to the general class of drugs collectively known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). To treat arthritis and other inflammations, newer NSAIDs have been tested extensively in dogs. (See the chart Osteoarthritis Medications, page 404, for more about NSAIDs.) These are generally less upsetting to the stomach than buffered aspirin and appear to be more effective for long-term treatment.

However, all NSAIDs irritate the stomach and are capable of causing stomach and duodenal ulcers. Your veterinarian may prescribe a gastric mucosal protectant, such as misoprostol (Cytotec) or sucralfate (Carafate), to prevent this complication. Remember, never use more than one NSAID (including aspirin) at the same time. Also, do not combine NSAIDs with any corticoteroids, such as prednisone.

Any dog who is going on one of the NSAIDs should have bloodwork done before the drug is administered. The bloodwork should be repeated every three to six months if the dog will be on one of these medications long term. Liver problems have been seen in some dogs, and Labrador Retrievers may have an idiosyncratic reaction to carprofen. If liver or kidney problems develop, even if they are not due to the drug itself, the dosage may need to be adjusted or the dog may be switched to another pain medication.

Many NSAIDs that can be purchased over the counter have unpredictable absorption rates and low margins of safety. None of these should be used without specific instructions from your veterinarian.

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WebMD Veterinary Reference from "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook"