Carprofen for Dogs – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Alternatives

Being a dog owner, or more appropriately put, a pet parent is hard stuff. Though you do get all the love and affection you could ever dream of, you also get all the stress and concern you didn’t know existed. Of course, this stress and anxiety only work its way into your life when something is wrong with your furry friend, but still, it’s not fun to deal with.

Here, we’re going to discuss one of the most popular stress-related instances that can take root in your life: Aging. Your dog is going to age, and when he or she gets older, your dog will start to experience pain from that aging. Use Carprofen to alleviate some of those symptoms, and if you’re not comfortable with using a prescription medication to ease your dog’s distress, take the natural route with CBD oil. Let’s learn more!

What is Carprofen & what can it be used for?

Carprofen is an anti-inflammatory medication prescribed to alleviate pain symptoms and inflammation generally brought on by arthritis. Though arthritis is not the only ailment Carprofen can treat, it is the most well-known condition vets prescribe the anti-inflammatory for, especially when your dog is getting up there in age.

In addition to Carprofen’s ability to treat arthritis and osteoarthritis, it can also help alleviate symptoms associated with post-surgical pain and hip dysplasia. Basically, this medication is known to treat pain short term.

What is the correct dosage to administer to my dog?

Your veterinarian will help guide you in administering Carprofen to your dog, depending on your dog’s specific needs at that time. For instance, if Carprofen is being prescribed for post-operative pain, it will likely be administered a couple of hours before your dog goes into surgery.

This anti-inflammatory will be administered to your dog in one of three ways:

• Chewable tablets
• Capsules or tablets
• Injection

Each method will be dosed differently. Follow your vet’s instructions if you’re using chewable tablets, regular tablets, or capsules. If an injection is required, your vet will be the one to administer it.

Are there side effects associated with Carprofen?

Before choosing to give your dog Carprofen, you should be informed on the potential side effects that may happen after administration. Some of them may be scary, and you may not want to use this course of treatment. Either way, here are the side effects associated with this medication:

• Vomiting
• Blood in vomit
• Diarrhea
• Black Stools
• Constipation
• Lack of appetite
• Inflammation of the pancreas
• Partial paralysis
• Seizures
• Disorientation
• Blood in urine
• Excessive thirst
• Urinary tract infection
• Low red blood cell count
• Nose bleeds
• Jaundice
• Lethargy
• Aggressive behavior
• Restlessness
• Hives
• Swelling of the face
• Excessive shedding
• Much more

Is there an alternative I can turn to?

As previously stated, the long list of potential side effects can be terrifying for those of you that are pet parents. If you’re trying to find a better and healthier solution, try starting your dog on CBD oil.

CBD oil is a natural anti-inflammatory medication that does not produce adverse reactions in your dog. This pain management option will have your dog running around shortly after surgery; it will also make your dog forget about all those symptoms associated with ailments like hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Give CBD oil a chance for a few weeks, and you’ll see a drastic change in your pup’s behavior!

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