Pain Meds for Dogs After Surgery
Many dogs are plagued with chronic conditions such as arthritis or hip dysplasia, or need extensive surgeries to help correct such problems. Luckily, in today's veterinary world there are countless options to help your best friend through his surgery, so that he can come out of it in better shape than ever.
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NSAIDS
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According to the Food & Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can be effectively used to treat post-surgery pain in dogs.
FDA-Approved List
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The CVM has approved certain NSAIDS for dogs recovering from surgery. They include: Etogesic, Rimadyl, Metacam, Zubrin, Deramaxx, Previcox and Novox.
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Side Effects
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The FDA cautions dog owners to use NSAIDS with caution, and to monitor their dog closely. Long-term use of the drugs could cause severe health problems. Work closely with your vet and pay attention to even the smallest change in your dog, from a shift in behavior to vomiting or diarrhea.
Narcotic Painkillers
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Tramadol is another popular painkiller for post-op canines. According to Dogaware.com, it is a narcotic-like drug that can be effective against chronic pain.
Sedatives
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Your vet might prescribe Acepromazine or another type of sedative to calm her down, as needed post-op. Most dogs must avoid becoming excited or running around, sometimes for several weeks following a surgery.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Photo by Valerie Clark
