Are Long-Term Pain Medications (NSAIDs) Safe for Dogs?

 What are long-term pain medications for dogs?

Long-term pain medications for dogs are canine medicines used to manage chronic pain in dogs. In contrast to acute dog pain, which is more or less sharp but does not persist for long, chronic dog pain lasts for a longer duration of time.

An arthritic dog's joints may hurt for weeks, months, or even years, which is an example of chronic pain in a dog. Such dogs require long-term dog joint supplement to assist reduce pain and inflammation and ensure they enjoy a relatively quality life.

Long-term joint supplements for dogs

The most common cause of long-term pain and inflammation in dogs is osteoarthritis. This is an irreversible synovial joint degenerative disease that affects around 25% of dogs. It is the leading cause of canine lameness and is more common in senior dogs, large dog breeds, athletic and working dogs. Puppies with elbow or hip dysplasia may also develop osteoarthritis at a young age.

The affected dog's bones spur and tissues swell around the damaged joint as osteoarthritis advances, causing substantial pain and stiffness. Because the diseased dog's cartilage lacks the necessary nerve supply, the condition can progress for some time without visible symptoms. This implies that even the most vigilant dog owner is likely to miss the disease's early warning symptoms.

That is why joint supplements are advocated for dogs who are predisposed to osteoarthritis. This covers large dog breeds, senior dogs, and dogs prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. It is imperative to take these dogs to the veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment, or to put them on proper long-term dog supplements.

What are the best long-term pain medications for dogs in pain?

As previously said, long-term pain in dogs should be alleviated in order to improve the pet's quality of life. Weight control, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, dieting, and natural supplements are examples of non-medical and alternative treatments dog owners can espiuse. However, if your dog's pain and inflammation are unbearably chronic and even the best joint supplement for dogs like YuMOVE are not helping to relieve the dog's excruciating pain, medical treatments such as surgery, glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and chondroptotectants that help by inhibiting enzymes that contribute to cartilage breakdown may be more useful.

The safety of long-term pain medications for dogs

Glucocorticoids offer stronger anti-inflammatory effects than NSAIDs, but their long-term use might result in major side effects such as kidney problems. NSAIDs, on the other hand, are excellent at relieving pain and inflammation but have major long-term side effects such as gastrointestinal issues, particularly in senior dogs.

Because most medications used to treat long-term pain in dogs are accompanied with safety risks, it is always best to consult with your veterinarian before administering them to your pet.

Nonetheless, as a precaution, most dog owners work with their veterinarians to keep their dogs' weight under control and to begin treating their pets with the best supplement for dogs that their veterinarians recommend for their pups as from a young age. This is strongly recommended for keeping the dogs from developing pain and inflammation as they age.