OTC pain relievers for minor dog pains?
By mrdos910
@mrdos910 (455)
United States
February 14, 2009 9:02pm CST
Is it safe to give any sort of human OTC pain relievers in small dosages to a dog who has a sore leg? I believe he has a little arthritis in his one leg, he limps every so often. What would you recommend? His leg is not broken because he was just checked at the vet around Christmas.
7 responses
@moneymommy (3418)
• United States
15 Feb 09
Never give your dog Tylenol or other prescribed pain killers. I have heard that dogs can take aspirin. The dosage of aspirin for dogs is 10 mg/lb, given every 12 hours. I am not sure if its the same aspirin as humans you may want to consult your vet.
@wheel416 (1019)
• Canada
15 Feb 09
Talking to if that sounds like a good idea to me because as you say will Tylenol who can be lethal to a dog. I think it's better to be safe than sorry. Thank you for adding the information the Tylenol. I would hate to see the giving their dogs medication thinking it's safe only to find out that it's not.
@wheel416 (1019)
• Canada
15 Feb 09
I think asprin is ok for dogs but not cats, but I'm definately not sure of that at all, which is why it's probably better to ask the vet... because I truly do not know... and I would feel terrible if I gave something believing it to be safe... only to find out it wasn't.
@momtrying2makeit (3270)
• United States
20 Jun 09
I believe you can but I would contact a vet first before you do so. I would not want you to give your pet a med than have something backfire on you. I think if you just call they more than likely will answer without charging you any money. Take care and I hope this helps you. 
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
16 Feb 09
i dont think so. how about wrapping one of those brown bandages around his leg to keep it in place for a while, similar to a cast. do it carefully so it doesnt hurt him. and feed him healthy food to strengthen him. and maybe, after a month, he will be stronger. then, take it off and see if he can walk on it or it still needs to be bandaged longer.
@dsrtrose (166)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I have a Giant Schnauzer with hip and knee arthritis.The vet had told me to give her a rather high dose of aspirin daily. (It was weight based and she is a big dog) She started limping , and now beeing unemployed, I turned to the internet. From what I read, Motrin and Tylenol were no-nos mainly because oof diffferent lier metabolism or something along those lines.Soo Aspirin and snacks with glucosamine and chrondotin daily seem to help.Before giving Aspirin, talk to your vet to get adequate dose for weight of dog. You can either give a dog version of Aspirin or chewable baby aspirin and adult aspirin in "pill pockets". The latter being the least expensive. I wish you luck and the right answer!
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
16 Feb 09
I have given my dog an asprin before. Other than that we have given given our dogs liquid baby asprin. It is also alot easier to give to them as it is liquid. I have done this on many occasions and it does not harm the dog at all. But it does provide relief.
@Crywolfe (11)
• United States
6 Apr 09
The only OTC medicine I know of that you as a person can safely give your dog is chewable aspirin. At least thats what my vet told me. I had to take my girl mystic to the vet. She has arthritis really bad, i have to give her meds from the vet that requires prescriptions. It might be a good idea to take the dog to the vet to make sure of what it is before giving anything. Good luck.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
15 Feb 09
Meloxicam is often prescribed in both humans and dogs. As far as OTC, sometimes Ibuprofen is used. However... if your dog has not been looked at by a vet for this problem, you should really take him in first. If the vet told you it was arthritis, they should be able to prescribe some meloxicam which works well and is not too expensive. Adding supplements like glucosamine can also help, but for pain something like meloxicam works well.
