- Some long-term medications for pain are available when it comes to treating dogs. Pain management is best achieved with medication, as other methods such as exercises or physical therapy are difficult to implement. Pain can be caused by a variety of reasons. Being the active creatures that they are, dogs are prone to frequent injuries, like children. Sometimes, they can experience pain due to surgery. At other times, pain can be due to diseases like arthritis; joint instability and hip dysplasia, a condition that can be termed as abnormal development of the hip opening, which can cause lameness. The reason for the underlying pain plays an important role in the type of medication.
- Very broadly speaking, pain medications for dogs are classified under two classes of drugs: non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and non NSAIDs, which consist of steroidal preparations and government-approved and regulated opiate narcotic drugs. Of these, NSAIDs have far fewer side effects than steroids and narcotic drugs. Some of the well known new generation generic names in this class include Carprofen, Ketoprofen, Etodolac, Meloxicab, Deracoxib, Tepoxalin, Firocoxib, Tolmetin and Valdecoxib among others.
The second class of drugs, however, may be necessary and more effective in treating particular cases. Some brand names in the second class of drugs include Prednisolone and Dexamethasone. Similarly, tramadol, morphine and oxymorphine are narcotic pain management options, which can be effective at relieving pain but which may have dangerous side effects. - Care should be taken to avoid giving NSAIDs to dogs with liver ailments. This is because the liver processes and excretes these drugs, and an overdose of these drugs can cause damage. Old generation analgesics such as aspirin are still effective as long-term treatments for pain management in dogs who are unable to take NSAIDs. Here too, a distinction exists between plain aspirin and enteric coated aspirin. The latter is better for long-term use because it can limit the occurrence of ulcers and intestinal bleeding.
If treatment is being given for the long term, it makes sense to avoid administering more than one kind of drug at one time. The functioning of an NSAID can interfere with that of a steroid, and hence cause problems. Also, the use of more than one NSAID at the same time should also be avoided.