Aspirin, called acetylsalicylic acid, is a salicylate and used as antipyretic drug, meaning, it cures fever and has anti-inflammatory effects as well. It is one of the most common drugs used by humans to treat several inflammatory diseases, swelling, reduce pain and high fever. Long term usage of aspirin is also seen in humans to prevent heart attacks, blood clots and strokes. Despite the fact that there can be several side effects of aspirin, it is used in high dosage for longer periods of time.
Another fact, is, as one of the easily available ‘home remedy’, aspirin is also used for treatment of dogs. There are several dog illnesses, that need urgent attention that can give comfort to the dogs. It is a helpful medicine for humans, but there can be several complications there if given with poor knowledge about aspirin dosage on dogs. There are certain limitations when it comes to using aspirin for curing several dog health problems.
Aspirin Uses for Dogs
The foremost use of aspirin for dogs is made, to treat arthritis in dogs. Adult dogs mostly suffer with joint problems and painful muscle spasm. Arthritis is a chronic disease in dogs and there are two in every ten dogs that suffer with arthritis. Hence, several veterinary doctors advise several dosages that are going through such conditions. There are several other conditions, like reducing the fever, fasten recovery time of any surgery, pain and swelling in dogs, increased heart rate or palpitation, high blood pressure, increased respiration, etc., in which the vet may suggest you to give the dog, some aspirin as an analgesic.
There are certain enzymes present in the body system of the dogs that helps the analgesic effects on aspirin on the body, in order to treat the disease, that the puppies and cats are not equipped with. Hence, it is a strict warning that the small puppies and cats as well as kittens must never be treated with aspirin. There are even certain dosage limitations for adult dogs, that must carefully be taken care of. So, as to avoid any toxic side effects of aspirin on the dog’s health.
Dosage for Dogs
The dosage must always be given in the recommended amount by the veterinary doctor of your dog. There is a simple calculation that the vets do, to determine the perfect aspirin dose for dogs. Normally, 5mg to 10mg aspirin per one pound of the dog’s weight, is the correct recommended dosage of aspirin for dogs. This dosage must be provided once in every 12 hours (with dog food), which is very essential as well. For better knowledge of aspirin dosage in dogs, you can refer to the following chart.
| Dog’s Weight | Aspirin Dosage |
| Less than 10 lbs | 1/2 aspirin (baby) |
| 11 lbs to 30 lbs | 1 aspirin (baby) |
| 31 lbs to 50 lbs | 1/2 aspirin (regular) |
| 51 lbs to 100 lbs | 1 aspirin (regular) |
| More than 101 lbs | 2 aspirins (regular) |
Correct and recommended dosage for dogs is very necessary for faster recovery as well as to avoid any complications as far as the health of the dogs is concerned. Anything higher than that can really be a real disaster than can cause several irreversible as well as life-threatening effects on dogs, that you would definitely like to avoid.
Aspirin Side Effects for Dogs
If appropriate dosage is not provided then there are several side effects of aspirin that can be seen on the dogs health. Some of the most distinct side effects of aspirin overdose that can be seen on the dog’s health are change in the blood circulatory system and digestive system of the dogs. There are several gastrointestinal problems in dogs that can be caused due to higher dosage of aspirin, they are diarrhea in dogs, bloody vomiting, loss of appetite, etc.
Several other aspirin overdose in dogs can lead to sudden and excessive bleeding, panting and humping, depression in dogs, lethargy, fatigue and anxiety in dogs, acute kidney failure, black stools, light urine, excessive thirst and several such effects can be seen if recommended aspirin dosage for dogs, are not provided. If such effects are seen in the dog’s behavior, don’t ever try to treat the dog at home, but go and visit the nearest vet and let him do the right evaluation of the problem.
To avoid any side effects or overdose of aspirin in dogs, it is always recommended to go and see the veterinary doctor and let him determine the safe dose of aspirin for a dog, with whatever health problem he must be going through. If there is emergency, make sure to provide the dog with the pure aspirin and not coated or several other aspirin-like pain killers to the dogs. It is very important as far as the dog’s health is concerned. On this note I take your leave, all the best!
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