What is a safe pain relief for very small dogs?
My 2-year old (5lbs, 8oz) hurt her leg and began limping. We took her to our Vet and received Metacam 0.5mg to give her once daily.
I stopped giving it to her because I read in the information sheet that came with the medication that it could cause seizures, liver disease and/or kidney disease.
Is there something I can give her for pain and inflammation that doesn’t have so many side affects?
Thanks for your help.
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Tags: acupuncture, canine slipped disk, limping, metacam, natural pain medication for dogs, pain medication for small dogs, pain relief for small dogs
There are side effects to just about everything out there, and it is good that you read the information sheet that came with the medication.
I too have used Metacam and if you use it as directed and watch your dog, she should be fine… just watch her for any side effects and if she has any, stop the medication and contact your vet.
Arnica montana, a homeopathic remedy sold in health food stores come in pill form or topical gel and is very safe and gentle and effective for pain.
Acupuncture is also very effective and safe!
http://www.tcvm.com
http://www.ahvma.org to find a veterinary acupuncturist in your area
A lot of the information that is listed on product inserts is there because it is required by law. Rest assured that your veterinarian is probably well aware of any possible side effects of Metacam. Metacam has gone through extensive testing and has been found to be safe at prescribed doses. Most of the side effects that are seen are a result of incorrect dosing or long term use of the product.
Metacam is in a category of drugs called NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). There are side affects to using any of the NSAIDs approved for use in dogs, but again, they are usually a result of long term or incorrect usage. Most dogs that are treated for a short period of time never show any problems and are helped by the drug. If your dog needs to be on Metacam long term, your veterinarian should recommend routine labwork every six months to monitor organ function and ensure that the drug is not having any adverse affects on your dogs system.
There are other options for pain medications that do not fall into the category of NSAIDs, rather they are analgesics or simply pain medications. Most of these are controlled drugs and can have other side effects related to them as well and are typically not recommend for long term use. One that may be considered that is not a controlled drug is Tramadol. This may be another option for your little one, but typically, this drug comes in a size that may be too difficult to split up for proper dosing. On the other hand, a compounding pharmacy (or if your veterinarian has compounding capabilities) may be able to provide you with a liquid form that allows use of this drug.
Tramadol is a very safe pain reliever (known as Ultram for humans) that can be made into a liquid suspension for small dogs. It can be given up to 4 times a day if necessary, and has very few side effects. It can also be combined with an NSAID such as Metacam for maximum benefit.
Soft tissue pain in small animals secondary to injury is caused by Stagnation of the blood and the QI (energy) at the site of the injury. It will be safer to use herbal formula like body sore formula by Jing Tang or the chinese herb Die Da Wan. It helps unblock the the stagnation of the QI and blood, reduce pain and swelling and promote rapid resolution of many acute injuries.
Frank J Akawi, B.S., M.S., MBA, PhD, DVM, CVA
Veterinary coaching and training services
Individual and team coaching programs
small animal acupuncture, Integrative medicine
518-260-3898. Email=veterinarycoach@aol.com
Web site http://www.acupunctureonpets.com
Hey, I really like your blog. Thanks for the great information. I found an answer for one of my dogs who was having a problem. Thanks again.
They have been selling their non-prescription pet pain treatment product mainly via television, and radio for nearly 10 years.