Importance of Pain Medication For Animals

Animals are "stoics" when it comes to pain; their instinct is to hide pain, infirmity or even dying. This legacy is also evident in your favorite dogs and cats. In the wild, a sickly or informed animal is vulnerable to all kinds of attacks so instinctively, it acts as if there is nothing wrong or it keeps out of sight. Animals feel and are subjected to pain as much as human beings do. As a pet owner, you should know all about the importance of pain medication for animals.

You are most likely to notice when your pets experienced pain than veterinarian's observation because you are more attuned and have bonded with them. Pain experienced can be temporary or persistent; some acute or sudden pain can be caused by surgery or sudden damage of major organ, bone or muscles. Dysplasia, arthritis of the spine and joint instability are the main causes of pain in older animals.

Pet owners must learn the first line of defense in dealing with animal's chronic pain:

* Your pets must be examined and diagnosed by a veterinarian.

* Diet for your pets must be grain-free and low in carbohydrates.

* Lower or reduce the weight of your pet, through diet and exercise.

* Imbibed with glucosamine/chondroiton supplementation.

* Include fish oil and Vitamin E supplement in the diet.

* Also include MSM, SAM-e, and Celyl Myristolaete.

* Appropriate homeopathic remedies maybe used.

* Anti-inflammatory medication will help relieve pain.

* Try using acupuncture, if feasible.

* You can also try using injectible glucosamine (adequin) with your veterinarian's direction.

Pain medication used for dogs, cats and other pets must be both safe and effective. The CVM (FDA Center for Veterinarian Medicine) regulates medication used in animals. It has given its seal of approval to the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal inflammatory drugs) in dog suffering pain due to degenerative joint disease (osteoporosis) or with pain after surgery. These medications include: etogesic (etodolac), rimadly (carprofen), metacam (meloxicam), zubrin (tepoxalin), previcox (ferocoxib) and novax (generic rimadly).

NSAIDs help to control signs of arthritis which includes: inflammation, swelling, stiffness and join pain. NSAIDs work by blocking the production of prostaglandins which is the body chemical that causes inflammation. FDA considers NSADs as safe and effective when used following closely the instructions in the label and that pet owners be strictly on the look-out for adverse reaction of the drug.

If not properly administered, NSAIDs can give adverse effects as: vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy and diarrhea. Its serious side effects are: gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, kidney damage and liver problem. When your dog shows adverse signs, get the help of a veterinarian at once.

These drugs are only use with the vets' knowledge, given only when necessary and it is only taken for a day or two. It must be administered according to the specified dosage and frequency. The use differs from dog to dog.

It is difficult to administer oral medication to cats since they do not metabolize any drug so there are few options for them.

Pet owners must consider the importance of pain medication for animals, understand its uses and seek the advice for your veterinarian.