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With advances in nutrition and medical care many of our pets are living longer than ever. But with age comes age related diseases such as arthritis. For years we have been using NSAIDS to control pain in our arthritic pets. NSAID stands for non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. These are drugs that help alleviate pain and inflammation without steroids. In general NSAIDS are safer for long term use than steroids. NSAIDS are not completely safe and need to be used with caution. Some side effects associated with NSAIDS are vomiting, diarrhea and decreased appetite. They can cause bleeding in the GI tract and can be hard on the kidneys and liver. The good news that if used judiciously the side effects can usually be avoided and they can greatly improve the quality of life in our older pets. The following are some guidelines to follow to minimize the side effects and maximize the benefits of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:


1)      Periodic Blood Testing. Before going on an NSAID for long term use a pet should have bloodwork done to identify any contraindications to giving NSAIDS, such as kidney disease. Also if a pet is going to be taking NSAIDS on a regular basis they should have their blood rechecked 1 month after starting to make sure they are tolerating the medication. After that the blood should be rechecked every 6 months or as directed by their veterinarian. With periodic blood testing abnormalities can be detected and addressed before they become a problem.


2)      Do not give NSAID to your pet if they are not eating or may be dehydrated. When pets are dehydrated they are more susceptible to side effects of these medications. This is especially important in cats.


3)      Use the lowest effective dose. Many arthritic pets are able to take a fraction of the dose of their arthritis meds. This is important because side effects are dose dependant. This means that the less of an NSAID that is given the less of a chance of side effects. Oh yeah, and giving less medication also saves money to. If your pet is taking arthritis medication on a regular basis then talk to your veterinarian about determining the lowest effective dose.


4)      Not all NSAIDS are created equal. While over the counter NSAIDS like Tylenol and Ibuprofen seem innocuous they are not always appropriate for cats and dogs. Tylenol can be deadly for cats and Ibuprofen can cause ulceration and bleeding of the stomach of dogs.


5)      Compliment traditional medical treatments with supplements and other alternative treatments. This is a broad topic that I will expand on at a later date.


When dealing with arthritis in pets it is important to bring your pet in for regular checkups and keep your vet updated on your pet’s progress.  If you feel that the current treatment is not working, then consider trying something else. Because of the high prevalence of arthritis there are many treatment options available and there is always something else to try. If you think your pet has arthritis contact your vet and set up an exam.