Dogs are not small people. When owners see their dog or cat limping or showing other signs of pain, they often think about giving their pet an over-the-counter pain reliever for made specifically for people. But even if data indicates an NSAID is safe and effective in people, the drug may not be safe and effective in dogs.
Cats are not small people or small dogs. You have to be even more careful with cats. Compared to other species, cats have a reduced ability to break down NSAIDs.
These differences may lead to toxic effects in pets, such as ulcers and perforations in the digestive tract as well as liver and kidney damage.
Here is a list of common over-the-counter pain relievers for people that should not be used for pets. In certain cases, there are pet formulas of these medication that may be acceptable if your veterinarian so advises.
Aspirin— While you can use human baby aspirin as recommended by your vet, aspirin made for dogs is typically a better option. Human aspirin has a coating on it that helps to protect the human stomach from irritation. Your dog cannot digest this coating, so the medication may not provide the desired effects.
Ibuprofen— No, you cannot give your dog ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Human bodies process medicines differently than pooches. Ibuprofen may stay in a dog’s system longer, get absorbed faster, and reach higher levels of blood concentrations. A single dose may be enough to poison your animal. Signs of toxicity can appear within 12 hours and include stomach ulcers and kidney failure.
Naproxen sodium— No. Ingestion of just one over-the-counter Naproxen tablet or capsule in a large-sized dog can cause serious toxicity or even be fatal. If your pet accidentally ingests naproxen, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinarian immediately. Over-the-counter human pain relievers are not safe for dogs.
Acetaminophen— Do not give your dog human-grade ibuprofen or acetaminophen. There are some NSAIDs just for dogs: Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl) Deracoxib (Deramaxx).
Acetaminophen is not a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and doesn’t have much anti-inflammatory activity. Scientists don’t fully understand how acetaminophen works . The drug seems to have more than one mode of action to reduce fever and relieve pain.
Dogs and cats can develop both forms of acetaminophen toxicity, but cats are more prone to red blood cell damage while dogs are more likely to get liver damage.
Acetaminophen is fatal to cats. Cats should never be given acetaminophen because they lack certain enzymes that the liver needs to safely break down the drug.
What should you do? Before giving any pet NSAID to your dog or cat, talk with your veterinarian.
Tell him or her if your pet has a history of digestive problems, such as stomach or intestinal ulcers, or has had surgery on the stomach or intestines. Even if your pet hasn’t had any digestive problems in the past, that doesn’t mean he or she has a healthy digestive tract. Dogs and cats can have stomach and intestinal ulcers without showing signs.
Is your pet on any other medication. It’s not recommended to give two different NSAIDs, or an NSAID and a steroid, at the same time.
During and after NSAID therapy, monitor your pet for side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, bloody or tar-colored stool, decreased appetite, decreased activity level, yellowing of the whites of the eyes, and yellowing of the gums. These signs can occur even in a previously healthy pet. If you notice any side effects, stop giving the drug and call your veterinarian.
If your pet experiences side effects from an NSAID, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine encourages you to work with your veterinarian to report the problem.
Before starting your dog on an NSAID for long-term use for osteoarthritis, ask your veterinarian about performing baseline bloodwork. Talk to your veterinarian about how often to recheck your dog’s bloodwork. No NSAID is currently FDA-approved for long-term use in cats.
You should NEVER give your pet anything in your medicine cabinet until you talk to your veterinarian.
Source: https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/
AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm392732.htm#OTC
