Side Effects Of Anti-inflammatories In Dogs And Cats

Anti-inflammatories are drugs that are prescribed to dogs and cats, with the aim of reducing inflammation and the pain that comes with it. They are usually associated with osteoarticular diseases such as osteoarthritis and arthritis, some of the most frequent joint diseases that may affect your pets, especially if they are not younger.

When should dogs and cats be given anti-inflammatories? Analyzing the risks that can be derived, drugs are taken – by people and animals – always and only  under medical prescription.

Classification and risks to consider

Anti-inflammatories are divided into two groups: non-steroidal (such as aspirin) and steroidal (such as acetaminophen). While the latter are the most problematic in pets, because they contain corticosteroids, their effects are also more potent and beneficial for humans.

Due to the degree of danger of these anti-inflammatories for dogs and cats, their use must always be approved by the veterinarian. As you have seen, treating pets without a medical recommendation could cause serious, even fatal harm .

Aspirin, for example, can cause death in cats even if it is a single pill. It is more potent in animals than in humans due to the fact that its synthesis is slower.

It should be borne in mind that the prescription of this medicine must be carefully considered, in the face of any emergency. When taking the sick animal to the veterinary clinic, don’t forget to bring the medical history documents as well. This will help the specialist to prescribe the most suitable drug. It is also advisable to perform a blood and urine test on the pet, before and during treatment, in order to check for possible negative effects.

Side effects of anti-inflammatories in dogs and cats

Anti-inflammatories in cats and dogs can cause serious side effects. In many cases, the degree of toxicity can result in the death of both.

Peculiarities of the effects of anti-inflammatories in dogs and cats

Although some of the secondary symptoms of anti-inflammatories in cats and dogs are well known, it is important to recognize their particularities as well in order to identify the warning signs in your pet.

In dogs, for example, these are the known symptoms resulting from the use of drugs: progressive decay, presence of traces of blood in urine and feces, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, increased heart rate, intestinal ulcers and, unfortunately , even death.

In cats, the appearance of diseases such as anorexia, hypothermia, depression, weakness, dark-colored mucosal discharge, increased salivation and vomiting may be detected. The appearance of edema on the face and claws should also be considered.

In severe cases one must be very careful, as these symptoms can be followed by coma. Unfortunately, in some cases deaths were recorded within 18/36 hours after taking the medicines.

When the pet suffers from the high toxicity of a certain drug, in addition to the risk of death, injury to internal organs can occur . Such are the cases of the development of hepatic and renal insufficiencies that can be observed by the yellow coloring of the skin, at the level of the gums and eyes, as well as evident signs of dehydration, increased thirst and urination.

Precautions, preventive measures and care

Unless otherwise prescribed by the veterinarian, anti-inflammatories cannot be taken in combination with other corticosteroids. Also, it is recommended that you give your pet medicine after each meal, so that the medicine can be absorbed by the body without causing harm. During the treatment it is necessary to provide fresh water throughout the day, to avoid a clinical picture of dehydration.

The end of the treatment

When the treatment comes to an end, it is important that the drug is dropped a little at a time. A sudden rather than gradual discontinuation could generate a dangerous decrease in cortisol, causing an adrenal crisis with symptoms such as: weakness, fatigue, vomiting, loss of appetite and difficulty in breathing.

Likewise, once the anti-inflammatory treatment has been definitively stopped, the symptoms listed above should disappear after a few hours. If you notice a change in the animal’s behavior, it is very likely that an abnormality is  present. In this case, stop the treatment and go to the vet immediately.