Arthritis dog medicine is widely prescribed, as arthritis is one of the most common health problems dogs' face. When aspirin and nutritional supplements such asglucosamine aren't working anymore, it may be time to consider a prescription arthritis dog medicine.
Signs of Dog Arthritis
In arthritis, the cartilage in your dog's joints deteriorates, allowing his bones to rub together, which can be painful. Arthritis commonly affects older dogs, and its symptoms can be mild to severe. Overweight dogs tend to suffer from more severe arthritis, as their weight puts their joints under more strain. Signs of arthritis in dogs include:
* Difficult getting up * Unexplained limping, especially with exercise * Change in gait or pace * Difficult jumping or climbing * Difficulty sitting, standing, or squatting
Dog Arthritis Options
Many dogs can benefit from the dog food supplement glucosamine, which helps to maintain the cartilage in the joints. Aspirin can be administered, in small doses, for the temporary relief of dog arthritis pain. However, for long-term management and especially for more severe cases of dog arthritis, your vet may want to write a prescription.
NSAID Medicines for Dog Arthritis
There are a wide variety of prescription medicines available for the treatment of dog arthritis. The most popular is probably Rymadil, an anti-inflammatory manufactured by Pfizer. Rymadil does not contain steroids. It comes in caplets or in chewable tablets for your convenience.
Deramaxx is another popular pain medicine often used in the treatment of dog arthritis. It is also sometimes prescribed for the relief of post-operative pain.
Metacam is another NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) like Rymadil, but it comes in liquid form.
EtoGesic is another NSAID. It has analgesic properties and need only be administered once a day. Like other NSAIDs, it is non-narcotic.
Risks of NSAIDS
NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation, so administer them with food unless your vet instructs otherwise. NSAIDs can also cause kidney and liver problems, so be sure your vet knows about any kidney or liver issues your dog may have, past or present.
Steroid Medicines for Dog Arthritis
Prednisone is a popular steroid corticosteriod medicine used for the treatment of pain associated with dog arthritis. Prednisone is also used for a variety of other dog ailments.
Phenylbutazone is a steroid drug prescribed for pain, fracture and injury of the joints. Phenylbutazone is often prescribed as a medicine for dog arthritis.
Steroid Risks and Side Effects
There are a wide range of risks and side effects associated with the use of steroids for arthritis pain and other ailments. Be sure to discuss these carefully with your vet before agreeing to a steroid medicine for treatment of your dog's arthritis.
To find out more about the side effects and risks of steroid medicines for dogs, follow this link:
http://www.vetinfo.com/dpred.html