See the FDA Website for the complete article "Get The Facts About Pain Relievers For Pets"
Dogs are Not Small People.
Tinker Bell’s owner isn’t alone. 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 people. But even if data show an NSAID is safe and effective in people, the drug may not be safe and effective in dogs because the drug may:
- Last longer;
- Have a higher absorption rate in the stomach and small intestine; and
- Reach higher blood levels.
These differences may lead to toxic effects in pets, such as gastrointestinal upset, ulcers, and perforations as well as liver and kidney damage.
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.
Table 2: Common Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers for People
| Active Ingredient | Some Common Brand Names |
|---|---|
| Aspirin | ASCRIPTIN, BAYER, BUFFERIN, ECOTRIN |
| Ibuprofen | ADVIL, MOTRIN |
| Naproxen sodium | ALEVE, MIDOL EXTENDED RELIEF, NAPROSYN |
| Acetaminophen (not an NSAID) | TYLENOL |
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.
Acetaminophen has two main forms of toxicity:
- Dose-dependent liver toxicity—meaning the higher the dose, the worse the liver damage—that may lead to liver failure; and
- Red blood cell damage that causes these cells to lose their ability to carry oxygen.
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.
Cats should never be given acetaminophen. They lack certain enzymes that the liver needs to safely break down the drug.
What Should You Do?
- Before giving any NSAID to your dog or cat, talk with your veterinarian. Tell him or her if your pet:
- Has a history of gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach or intestinal ulcers, or has had surgery on the stomach or intestines. Even if your pet hasn’t had any gastrointestinal 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 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 submit an Adverse Drug Event report, also called an Adverse Drug Experience report7.
- Before starting your dog on long-term NSAID therapy, 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.
- Going back to Tinker Bell, you shouldn’t give her anything in your medicine cabinet until you talk to your veterinarian.
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