Content
- Can a dog take diclofenac?
- Can you give diclofenac to a dog?
- How to give diclofenac to a dog
- Diclofenac presentations for dogs
Diclofenac sodium is the active substance in a well-known and widely used drug sold under the brand name Voltaren or Voltadol. It is a product used for fight the pain. Did the vet prescribe diclofenac for your dog? Do you have questions about uses or doses?
In this PeritoAnimal article, we'll talk about the diclofenac for dog, how this medicine is used in veterinary medicine and what aspects are important to consider for its use. As we always insist, this and any other medication should only be given to a dog with veterinary prescription.
Can a dog take diclofenac?
Diclofenac is an active substance belonging to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, that is, those commonly known as NSAIDs. These are prescribed pain relief products, especially those related to joint or bone problems. Dogs can take diclofenac as long as prescribed by the veterinarian.
Can you give diclofenac to a dog?
Diclofenac for pain is used in veterinary medicine for dogs and also in humans, that is, mainly in the case of bone and joint disorders. But this drug can also be prescribed by the veterinarian. Ophthalmologist as part of the treatment of eye diseases, such as uveitis in dogs or, in general, those that occur with inflammation. It is also used as a medicine before or after an eye surgery.
Obviously, the drug presentation will not be the same. Being an NSAID, it also has an effect. anti-inflammatory and antipyretic, that is, against fever. Also, in some cases, your veterinarian may prescribe a B-complex with diclofenac for dogs. This complex refers to a group of B vitamins with different and important functions in the body. This add-on is generally recommended. when deficit is suspected or to improve the animal's general condition.
However, there are other anti-inflammatory drugs for dogs that are more used than diclofenac for pain problems associated with bones or joints, such as carprofen, firocoxib or meloxicam. These are safer to use on these animals and produce less side effects.
How to give diclofenac to a dog
As with all medications, you should pay attention to dosage and strictly follow your veterinarian's recommendations. Even so, NSAIDs have a considerable impact on the digestive system and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and ulcers. For this reason, especially in long-term treatments, NSAIDs are prescribed together with stomach protectors. Avoid using this medicine in animals with kidney or liver problems.
The dose of diclofenac for dogs can only be established by the veterinarian who, in order to determine it, will take into account the disease and the characteristics of the animal. Drug studies provide a range of safe doses from which the healthcare provider can choose. He will always seek to achieve the maximum effect at the lowest possible dose. In the case of eye drops, the dose and the administration schedule will depend on the problem to be treated.
An overdose causes vomiting, which may contain blood, black stools, anorexia, lethargy, changes in urination or thirst, malaise, abdominal pain, seizures and even death. Hence the insistence that you only use the medications prescribed by the veterinarian, in the doses and for the time indicated.
Diclofenac presentations for dogs
Diclofenac gel, which would be what is currently marketed to humans under the name Voltaren and widely used, is not used very often in dogs for obvious reasons, since it it is neither comfortable nor functional apply gel to hairy areas of the animal's body.
Ophthalmological diclofenac for dogs is chosen for the eye treatment. The fact that it is an eye drop should not make you think it will have no side effects, so never apply it without a veterinary prescription. With this presentation of diclofenac for puppies in drops, it is also necessary to monitor the dose not to exceed it. The use of diclofenac lepori for dogs, which is an eye drop for human use, can only be prescribed by the veterinarian.
It is also possible to use injectable diclofenac in dogs. In this case, the drug will be administered by the veterinarian or, if you need to apply at home, he will explain how to prepare and store the medicine, how and where to inject it. A local reaction may occur at the injection site.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.