What kind of painkiller can a puppy use?

Symptoms of pain in dogs and how to recognize them in time

Animals of the canine family, just like humans, are capable of experiencing types of pain that differ in symptoms.

Visceral pain, symptoms:

• attacks of panic and anxiety;
• the animal may bite its stomach;
• an unnatural body position appears, coordination is impaired;
• the animal's appetite decreases or disappears completely;

The presence of foci of pain in the chest area:

• cautious movements, uncertainty while moving;
• reluctance to take a lying position;
• presence of shallow breathing.

Somatic pain

Damage to the upper layers of skin, nerve fibers, as well as injuries to bones and muscle tissue have consequences in the form of somatic pain. Such painful sensations are accompanied by aggression, avoidance during touching and fear. The presence of inflammatory processes in the spine, spinal cord and joints leads to the following symptoms:

• lack of mobility in the dog;
• presence of lameness;
• the dog whines;
• The pet does not allow you to touch the source of discomfort and shows aggressiveness.

Headache

Four-legged pets are also subject to headaches due to increased blood pressure, as well as pain in the digestive tract due to poisoning. If your dog has a fever, find out more about what you can do at home.

Types of Pain Relief Products for Dogs

Of course, every owner should have a specialized pain reliever, and also know whether to give it to the dog or not. Unfortunately, such medication is not always at hand during an emergency. In this case, the question arises: “Can dogs be given pain pills that are prescribed for humans?” Some human painkillers are applicable to four-legged pets.

Nutraceuticals, provided with plant-derived components, minerals and amino acids, can eliminate pain and swelling in the paws and joints, they do not contain contraindications. Non-steroidal drugs can be given: ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin. These types of tablets or injections not only eliminate the source of discomfort in the body, but also relieve inflammatory processes.

The disadvantage of such painkillers is the presence of side effects with frequent use in the form of diarrhea, vomiting or apathy. Pain medications that have a narcotic effect are prescribed only by a veterinarian, since opioids can cause the dog: weakness, drowsiness, numbness of the limbs, and slow reaction.

What painkillers can dogs take?

Nutraceuticals are used for dogs - preparations that are made from various vegetable, natural fats. Contains amino acids, organic compounds, extracts of medicinal herbs, minerals, antioxidants. They are considered the safest painkillers for animals. In veterinary medicine, it is prescribed to dogs for the treatment of joint pain due to arthritis, arthrosis, and in the postoperative period. The medicine not only relieves pain, but also acts on the root cause.

Pain relievers for dogs can be in the form of tablets or injectable solutions. Injectable drugs relieve pain symptoms faster. There are special ointments, creams, and gels for local anesthesia.

Nutraceuticals for animals:

1. Ibuprofen.
2. Aspirin.
3. Naproxen.

Steroids for pain may be prescribed for pain relief, as anti-inflammatory drugs, but only for a short period of time. At the same time, they should be given to dogs with caution, in the exact dosage specified by the veterinarian.

Important! Uncontrolled use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can provoke side symptoms: diarrhea, vomiting, depression, apathy, drowsiness, and strange behavior. Therefore, strictly adhere to the recommendations of your doctor. It is also worth noting that human analogues are contraindicated for dogs. They are prescribed only in extreme cases in certain dosages.

Dogs are also prescribed the following to relieve pain:

1. Meloxicam.
2. Deracoxib.
3. Vetalgin.
4. Analgin (tablets, injections).
5. Rimadyl/Carprofen (1 tablet per 5 kg of weight).
6. Xylanite (injection solution).
7. Travmatin.
8. Pentalgin (half a tablet for 20-30 kg of weight).
9. Ketanov (injections, tablets)
10. Travmel.
11. Carprofen (tablets, injections).
12. Baralgin injection (3 cubes per 40 kg of dog weight)..
13. Gel-Vidaprofen.

Important! Most human medications are contraindicated in small puppies. To relieve pain in young dogs and representatives of miniature breeds, Travmatin is most often used. The drug is administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly at a dose of 2-4 ml for large dogs and 0.5-2 mg for miniature pets and puppies.

Ketanov can be called a fairly strong pain reliever for dogs. Available in the form of tablets and injection solution. The effect is comparable to morphine. Prescribed for dogs with cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. One ampoule is designed for 40 kg of dog body weight. Use only in emergency cases.

Analgin for dogs is best used by injection at a rate of 0.1 ml per kilogram of weight. The analgesic is administered intramuscularly. If you give Analgin in pills – one tablet per 25 kg of dog’s body weight.

For local anesthesia, animals are prescribed special “freezing” ointments, gels, creams: Ketonal cream, Ledocaine spray.

Which painkillers can a dog use and which ones can’t?

It is enough for loving owners to have several analogues of drugs to eliminate pain in their home medicine cabinet. Know exactly which painkillers are suitable for your pet from human medications. And all this knowledge will help you not to wonder what kind of painkiller you can give your dog.

Drugs for pain relief in dogs

What can you give your pet from available medicines to make it feel better?

1. Ketonal. For example, an inexpensive and effective pain reliever is ketonal or ketoprofen. This medicine has a convenient way of dosing the medicine. Ketonal can be purchased in the form of tablets or injections. Medicines should be given within the period prescribed by the veterinarian for up to one week.
2. Vedaprofen (quadrisol) is a gel pain reliever that is used for problems with the musculoskeletal system. The drug is highly effective and can be used for a month, but has the disadvantage of being overpriced.
3. Baralgin. One of the most common painkillers is baralgin. Very often, owners are interested in whether their dog can be given baralgin for excruciating pain. This product is not prohibited for use on pets, so it can be given to your pet without fear. But unfortunately, the drug does not have a long-lasting effect, which is its disadvantage.
4. Analgin. Sometimes dogs are given pain relief in analgin tablets. Puppies and small breeds are given a quarter of a tablet 2 times a day. The larger the breed, the larger the dose of medication. The dosage should not exceed two doses during the day.
5. Amantadine is given to four-legged pets for pain resulting from herniated discs and in the presence of a tumor. This measure is safe to use, but the animal may experience diarrhea.
6. Tramadol - painkillers, like opiates, eliminates areas of discomfort in sarcoma, as it is a synthetic, potent drug. This medicine is used to relieve well-being and pain from suturing after severe operations in our little brothers. This medicine is prohibited in Russia and can only be purchased by specialized veterinary clinics.
7. Travmatin is a homeopathic pain reliever that relieves pain in the pet’s bones and joints due to fractures and dislocations. Traumatin can be in injections and gels.
8. Pentalnig. Another human painkiller suitable for pets is pentalgin. The shaggy friends can easily eat this drug with food or drink it dissolved in water. Pentalgin has a long-lasting effect and an affordable price.
9. Rimadyl is not a steroid, it is used as an anti-inflammatory drug used for arthritis and arthrosis of the joints in older dogs. Its action also reduces aches in the limbs, allowing you to move more actively. Rimadyl is available in ampoules and tablets and acts immediately. Animals like the beef taste of the tablets, so Rimadyl is convenient to use. But ampoules have many contraindications; before use, it is worth clarifying all possible complications.

Foreign analogues of painkillers for dogs

Tramadol is a drug made in America. It belongs to the genus of narcotic analgesics and is prohibited for sale in Russia, so you can purchase it if you have permits. But at the same time, there are other more affordable means of pain relief: capsules that can be chewed FlexPet, Deramaxx (Deracoxib), Previcox (Firocoxib).

What medications should not be given to your pet?

The dog's body is very sensitive to certain types of medications, so not all painkillers are suitable for the animal. You should not give your pet the following medications to prevent pain:

• Voltaren;
• Indomethacin (metindole);
• Ketorol and its derivatives (ketrolac, ketrodol) cannot be given to a dog in any dosage;
• Salicylic acid;
• Aspirin (find out more about whether you can give your dog aspirin);
• Paracetamol (acetaminophen, Tylenol);
• Naproxen;
• Diclofenac;
• Ortofen;
• Ibuprofen;

Active ingredient and principle of action

Metamizole sodium, known to customers under the brand name Analgin, represents the active core of the drug.

The medicine is available in 2 variations:

• oral tablets;
• solution for injection (injections).

Baralgin M, a powerful analgesic-antipyretic with a mild anti-inflammatory effect, is prohibited for use in some countries (Japan, the States); in Europe it is classified as a prescription drug. In Russia, the medicine is sold in pharmacy chains without a prescription and is used for pain relief, as a first choice.

According to the mechanism of action, the drug does not stand out among other non-selective NSAIDs; metamizole is inhibited:

• COX (cyclooxygenase) enzyme activity;
• synthesis of prostaglandins involved in inflammation and “useful” processes;
• formation of free radical compounds, endoperoxides and bradycardins.

Baralgin prevents cross-oxidation of fats. When entering the body through the animal's mouth, the drug must be hydrolyzed in the intestinal wall to transform into its active form. This leads to the fact that the medication begins to act 40 minutes after administration.

Therefore, an injection solution is usually chosen for animals. After all, the medicine needs to be administered in case of acute pain to quickly stop the attack.

However, when giving medication to your pet, remember:

1. The effectiveness of drugs is not enough to completely block pain receptors in a truly serious situation. For moderate pain, the effect occurs quickly and the animal practically does not feel pain. For acute pain, only temporary relief occurs.
2. Taking medication does not eliminate the cause of the pain. The dog or cat simply ceases to be aware of the pain.

Baralgin is only allowed to be used for a short period. If there is no effect from the administration of the medicine, you should stop taking it and contact your veterinarian.

Contraindications to taking painkillers for dogs

Medicines belonging to a type of narcotic analgesics have a severe effect on the animal’s body. The drug primarily affects the mucous membrane of the dog’s gastrointestinal tract, as well as the blood, as it dilutes.

A complication may appear in the form of dark brown vomiting, which will indicate bleeding in the stomach. The animal has vomit-colored diarrhea. If such symptoms are found, then a number of measures must be taken:

1. Stop using the drug.
2. Give the dog a Vicalin tablet, for large breeds 6-8 tablets, and for small and medium breeds two or three.
3. Take your pet to the veterinary clinic.

Use of steroids for dogs

Veterinarians often use steroids as a means of reducing pain symptoms. Steroids do not completely eliminate pain, but they help reduce swelling and inflammation in the animal's body. Examples of steroid drugs: stanozolol, nandrolone. Although they can be given to a dog, it is still necessary to consult with a veterinarian before giving your dog a steroid drug. And also you should not combine steroids with other anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as with painkillers.

Types of Pain Relief for Dogs

Finding a specialized pain reliever for a dog often becomes not just difficult, but simply an insoluble task. In this case, to relieve pain, your pet can be given painkillers and other medications used to treat people.
With such drugs you should be doubly careful and calculate the dose as carefully as possible so as not to aggravate the pet’s condition. The first group of drugs used for pain relief are nutraceuticals. They contain amino acids, herbs, antioxidants, minerals and fatty acids. Such drugs are in most cases used to treat joint pain and have virtually no contraindications.

Nonsteroidal drugs (NSAIDs) are very effective as pain relievers for dogs. They can be given in most cases of a painful condition in a pet. These include:

I often prescribe steroid drugs not only as a pain reliever, but also as an anti-inflammatory agent. These drugs are very good at relieving pain, but their long-term use can lead to undesirable consequences resulting from side effects. Corticosteroids and steroids should not be prescribed on your own , it is better to visit a veterinarian.

Only a doctor can prescribe opioids and narcotic pain medications for your dog. These severe drugs are prescribed only in the most severe cases, in particular, if the pet has cancer or severe arthritis. These medications cause drowsiness, numbness, and lethargy in the animal.

How to give a painkiller injection?

The injection is made with a sterile syringe; the needle is selected depending on the size of the animal, the method of administration and the fluidity of the administered substance. The injection is injected carefully into the muscle with a long thin needle, there are also subcutaneous injections, they are usually injected with a thin needle into the withers. A sterile injection should not be touched with your hands or used repeatedly. If the integrity of the ampoule is damaged, it should be thrown away, but under no circumstances should it be used.

The owner, knowing what painkillers can be used, will be able not only to help his shaggy friend, but also to save him from death, since the presence of painful foci indicates many terrible diseases. Also, the ability to determine which product can be used and which cannot will protect the four-legged family member from unnecessary discomfort and complications. The most important thing is to notice the symptoms of pain in the behavior of your four-legged friend in time and alleviate his suffering in time.

Injections

Injections are the best option for pain relief. They do not affect the gastrointestinal tract, and the effect is achieved in a short time. In addition, the owner is sure that all the medicine was injected during the injection - unlike tablets, solutions cannot be spat out.

The downside is that you need to know how to give injections. And sometimes animals struggle so much that it is impossible to administer the solution.

Ketonal

The best medicine for people that can be used by animals. Ketonal relieves severe pain, it has few side effects - sometimes vomiting and diarrhea are observed. In addition, it is inexpensive - 200-300 rubles.

Ketonal is administered at the rate of 1 mg per 1 kg, for puppies at 1-2 months - 0.1 mg per 1 kg. In case of painful shock, the dose of the first injection is doubled. Use the product for up to 10 days.

Ketonal is prohibited:

• cubs up to a month old;
• pregnant women – there is a high risk of miscarriage and intrauterine development disorders;
• in combination with corticosteroid drugs.

Ketanov

An analogue of Ketonal, produced by an Indian company. It is not inferior in effectiveness, but often leads to negative consequences. But it’s cheaper - they sell for 100-120 rubles.

Ketanov is administered intramuscularly for no more than 4 days in a row. Dosage – 0.4 ml per 10 kg. The drug is used in combination with analgin, diphenhydramine and ranitidine in the postoperative period.

Ainil

A specialized veterinary injection based on ketoprofen – 1 ml contains 10 mg of active ingredient. Ainil has an analgesic effect, reduces fever and relieves inflammation. Additionally prevents thrombus formation. Costs 1,600 rubles.

Ainil is administered intravenously, intramuscularly or subcutaneously at the rate of 0.2 ml per 1 kg. Duration of treatment – ​​up to 3 days.

Ainil is not used in dogs with liver, kidney, or ulcer diseases. Observe the dosage - excess has a negative effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum.

Flexoprofen

Another medicine for animals based on ketoprofen. It also effectively relieves pain in acute and chronic conditions. But it costs less than Ainil - from 500 rubles.

In addition to relieving pain symptoms, Flexoprofen is used for body overheating, fever, and febrile conditions.

Flexoprofen is administered subcutaneously, into a vein or muscle at the rate of 2 mg of ketoprofen per 1 kg once a day. Course – 1-5 days. Cannot be combined with diuretics, glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, and other NSAIDs.

Baralgin

Cheap “human” medicine – sold for 200 rubles. It is used for dogs, but only once and in the dosage prescribed by the veterinarian. Otherwise, hematopoietic disorders may occur.

Baralgin is used when there are no veterinary analgesics, and the pain needs to be relieved urgently. Indications:

• injuries;
• pain shock;
• postoperative period;
• infections accompanied by fever and pain.

The maximum dosage is 1 cube of solution per 10 kg. It is advisable to administer less - 0.08 ml per kg.

Meloxicam

Another medicine for humans that is used as a replacement for veterinary drugs. It is prescribed for:

• fractures;
• dislocations and bruises;
• arthrosis and arthritis;
• after operations.

Meloxicam is prohibited for dogs with heart, kidney and liver failure. The drug rarely leads to side effects, mainly in case of overdose. Possible complications include gastrointestinal upset, apathy, and refusal to eat.

Meloxicam is administered intravenously (0.13 mg per kg on the first day, 0.7 mg per kg on subsequent days) or subcutaneously (0.2 mg per kg). Course duration – 3 days.

One ampoule of Meloxicam costs 50 rubles.

Fluniject

NSAIDs for animals. Prescribed for:

• temperature and overheating (hyperthermia);
• respiratory pathologies;
• inflammatory eye diseases;
• infectious processes;
• gynecological diseases.

Fluniject is administered intravenously or intramuscularly at the rate of 0.2 ml per 10 kg once a day. Course – 1-3 days.

They sell Fluniject for 740 rubles. per package.

Dexafort

Hormonal agent based on phenylpropionate and sodium phosphate. Mainly prescribed for autoimmune and allergic diseases. But it also helps with severe sensations that appear due to post-traumatic edema, arthritis, and arthrosis.

Dexafort is administered once, 0.5-1 ml. If necessary, give a second injection after a week.

Dexafort is not prescribed shortly before or immediately after vaccination. It is prohibited when:

• pregnancy;
• viral and fungal invasions;
• diabetes;
• renal and heart failure.

Cost – 900-1,000 rubles.