Ways To Manage Pain In Dogs With Cancer

Pain is a prominent symptom in dogs with cancer. Some common medications that are used for pain management include the following:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Common NSAIDs that are used in dogs include metacam, previcox, deramaxx, and rimadyl. These pains can be prescribed for mild to moderate pain. However, they should be used with caution as they can cause adverse side effects to the liver and kidney, thus dogs that are on NSAIDs need to be checked for liver and kidney function regularly.

Narcotics

The most common narcotic that is used for pain management in dogs is tramadol. In humans, tramadol is used for its anti-depressant effects. Like NSAIDs, tramadol can help alleviate mild to moderate pain. High doses of tramadol can be given for severe pain but it can cause a lot of sleepiness. Sometimes, veterinarians make a ‘pain control cocktail’ by combining tramadol and an NSAID for effective pain alleviation with fewer side effects.

Do speak with your veterinarian New Orleans, LA if you have questions and/or concerns about the use of pain medications for your dog. Visit this site to learn more.