Is it Safe to Give Your Dog NSAIDs like Aspirin?

Because I have two dogs with severe hip dysplasia, I have lots of experience with NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) in dogs, including aspirin, the original NSAID. Aspirin has been around since acetylsalicylic acid was first extracted from the willow tree in the 1800s.

I stopped using aspirin for my dogs' pain relief when one of them started vomiting up blood. Although you can buy special enteric-coated or buffered canine aspirin, after that experience, I vowed never to give it to my dogs again. I do realize, however, that every dog is different, and some do OK on aspirin. But long- term use of NSAIDs, including aspirin, is not healthy for any dog.

Other common NSAIDs besides aspirin are ibuprofen, Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Metacam, naproxen, piroxicam, and phenylbutazone. All of them carry risks, and you should work closely with your veterinarian to monitor side effects if your dog needs to be on an NSAID for any length of time.

While NSAIDs can go a long way toward reducing pain and inflammation, they come with a price. If you understand how aspirin and other NSAIDs work, you can see how much damage they can cause. NSAIDs are involved in what is called the COX (the enzyme cyclooxygenase) pathway. This enzyme breaks down the arachidonic acid in a joint's cell membranes into free radicals and two types of prostaglandins, which can either cause pain and inflammation or inhibit it. There are at least two COX enzymes: COX-1 is the good guy and COX-2 is the bad guy. COX-1 breaks down arachidonic acid to produce good prostaglandins, which also work to normalize kidney function and protect the gastrointestinal tract. COX-2 produces bad prostaglandins and can lead to kidney problems and stomach ulcers. So drugs that inhibit COX-2 and not COX-1 are generally safer, but even so, all NSAIDs are considered risky. Currently, most NSAID medications inhibit both COX-1 and COX-2, causing varying degrees of GI problems. Aspirin falls in the middle of the spectrum.

GI bleeding can lead to ulcers as well as perforation of the stomach and intestines. In one study of aspirin intake in dogs, four out of six dogs got stomach ulcers after 30 days of a double dose of aspirin. Geriatric dogs have even more problems with aspirin and other NSAIDs because of their slower metabolism; the fact that they may be taking medications for other conditions that may interact adversely with the NSAID; and also that their kidney and liver function may not be as efficient as it was when they were younger.

Other side effects that have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs, including aspirin, are pancreatitis, kidney failure, liver failure, anemia, low platelet count, skin diseases, seizures, paralysis, unsteadiness, aggression, depression, hyperactivity, and cartilage damage, according to Shawn Messonnier, DVM in "Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats".

The moral of the aspirin/NSAID story is that chronic NSAID usage is not a good idea for dogs of any age. Fortunately, there are much safer treatments for pain and inflammation on the market, such as omega-3 fatty acids, perna, boswellia, alfalfa, dandelion root, devil's claw, horsetail, licorice, turmeric, yarrow, white willow bark, SAMe, vitamin C and other antioxidants, MSM, and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, to name just a few. As well, acupuncture and magnet therapy are two safe, pain-relieving modalities that have been used successfully in dogs. If you decide to forgo aspirin or other NSAIDs for your dog, as I have, keep your vet informed of the natural supplements you're giving him to avoid possible interactions with other drugs.