dogs&cats&more

Aspirin= Acetylsalicylic acid

I think if the word aspirin wasn’t in such common use, and instead we called it by its real drug name, perhaps people would be a little more worried about it’s usage, especially in their companion animals, for which this drug is not well suited.

Aspirin is a drug which will enter the blood stream, find its active site, and will occupy that site, irreversibly and permanently. The effects of this can be things like decreased inflammation, decreased fever, decreased pain, and decreased platelet aggravation. This last one basically means that aspirin decreases blood clotting time, aka prolongs bleeding time. It also decreases the blood flow to the kidneys, which can easily lead to kidney damage.

Aspirin can and often does cause gastrointestinal damage in our dogs by directly destroying the mucosal cells that line the intestinal tract, by decreasing mucus production, increasing hydrochloric acid and gastrin production (stomach acids) thereby leading often to GI ulceration and bleeding. Bleeding of which won’t stop too easily (again, due to increased bleeding time).

Needless to say, aspirin is not a ‘safe’ drug.

Cats are not even able to metabolize more than a miniscule amount of aspirin, a smaller amount than would even be beneficial to whatever problem may be occurring, and often giving a cat aspirin can be lethal quickly. Just don’t do it, unless your vet specifically prescribes it for some rare issue occurring.

With dogs, caution must be taken when giving aspirin. I myself have recommended it to healthy, younger adult dogs with joint pains or injuries where we know internal bleeding is not an issue. Rarely is this ‘known’ by an owner without diagnostics. But some dogs can easily handle 5mg/lb of aspirin for joint pains if no other meds are being given, liver and kidney health are ideal, and aspirin is only given very short term. Often in an older dog, liver or kidney problems may not be known and the aspirin can set off the downward spiral of this problem, so it is best to clear it with your vet before using. And only non-coated aspirin then should be used, as the coating often resists dissolving in stomach acids.

Signs of aspirin toxicity include:

Vomiting, Fever, Hyperventilating, GI bleeding and ulcers, Seizures, Depression, Coma, and Death

If your dog is having joint pains and you’re considering giving aspirin, consider the above advice as well before giving it. And do know that veterinary medicine has come a long way. Not only are safer non-steroidal medications available these days, but even safer options like adequan are available, which will not just coat the joints and mask pain, but help to heal it. Acupuncture, also has done wonders in a few short treatments.

Christine, LVT