Answers to Readers' Questions on Animal Health: Giving Your Dog Aspirin. Also refer to veterinarian, pain relief, inflammation, upset stomach, ulcer, dosage, toxic, Tylenol, weight, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Animal Health:
Giving Your Dog Aspirin
The following 175 questions have been answered. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- Dachshund twisted her back and in pain
- My dog is in pain on some days
- My dog Crissy has an ear infecton
- Old dog hurt her leg and we can't afford a vet
- Can I give my Boston Terrier a baby aspirin?
- Small dog got upset stomach from aspirin
- Young dog won't go potty
- Giving my small dogs aspirin twice a day
- Does aspirin affect my dog's pancreatitis?
- What is the life expectancy for most dogs?
Dachshund twisted her back and in pain
Question
February 14, 2010
I have a dachund. She is 8 years old and somehow twisted her back when I was at work. Although shes not crying. She moves really slowly going up and down her doggie steps to the couch and bed. I can tell shes in pain but I dont know what is safe to give her. She has no other medical problems other than being overweight (19 lbs). Can I giver her a quarter section of a baby asprin? It breaks my heart to see her in pain. Please help my lil Boo Boo Baby "Molly"! Thank You!!!
Annie - USA
19216
Answer
You could give her a small amount of aspirin with your meal to relieve the pain and prevent inflammation. If it is just a sprain, she should get back to normal soon.
However, it is a good idea to cut back the food and treats so that she will lose some weight. Being overweight can put strain on her back and hip joints, ultimately causing pain or arthritis.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery and the good health of your dog.
My dog is in pain on some days
Question
January 12, 2010
Thank you for your help, I have a chesapeek bay retr-austrailian blue heeler mix, she is about 12 and I can see the pain on some days.
mrsz - USA
19035
Answer
Just like an old person, older dogs get their aches and pains. Often it will be on a cold, damp day, although sometimes it just happens.
The best treatment is mild exercise every day. A slow walk can do wonders for an older dog to loosen up the joints. Sometimes the dogs acts stiff, but after a few steps the joints will warm up and the walking is easier.
If your dog is in such pain that she cries on movement, then you can give aspirin along with food to help relieve her pain. Your vet can prescribe a better pain relief.
Best wishes with the health of your dog.
My dog Crissy has an ear infecton
Question
December 24, 2009
It's Christmas eve and my dog Crissy (44 lbs.)has another ear infecton, we have mix # 5 the vet gave her before. Can't reach any vet. She is shaking her head and in pain. What can I do!
Elaine - USA
18922
Answer
Check her ear to make sure there isn't anything stuck in there. You can carefully try to clean out the gunk in her ear with warm water and a cue tip.
She probably is not in pain as much as having her inner ear irritated. Some aspirin may help any real pain, but getting her to your vet is the best route. the vet can look into the ear to see the source of the problem.
Best wishes in a speedy recover for Crissy.
Old dog hurt her leg and we can't afford a vet
Question
December 22, 2009
My about 20lb poodle mix is 10 yrs old. In the past she has had problems with hair balls (a large one was surgically removed from her stomach about 4 years ago) and also with bladder stones (which is how they found the gigantic hair ball). She is currently on a strict diet because of her bladder stones. She is only allowed to eat a few types of dog food and no dog treats at all. The brand she has been eating for the last few years is beneful. About 2 days ago she fell into a heating vent on the floor in my son's bedroom and ever since has been limping. At first she seemed to be getting better and walking around more without limping so much and I thought she was getting better but tonight my husband heard her crying and thought maybe she fell into the vent hole again. He put put a screen on it so it wont happen again but when i got home from work tonight she didn't even come to greet me. She wouldn't even go out to pee. Now with a 3 year old son I absolutely can't afford another vet trip. Her surgery was $600 the first time and I don't know what to do. Is it okay to give her aspirin until I find out if she really needs to go to the vet? If her leg is broken I'll find some way to pay for her vet but I'd like to keep her out of pain until then and I don't know if aspirin is okay to give her with her past stomach problems? When I call the vet they just say to take her in but my husband isn't employed right now and we can't afford to do that. Please help! If it's serious we'll find a way but I just want to see if it gets better in the next day or two without her being in pain.
Jennifer - USA
18909
Answer
I'm sorry to hear that your dog is having such problems. Hopefully, after several days, she has gotten better.
The main caution about giving aspirin is that it can cause stomach bleeding if given without food. However, with her various stomach problems, I would really hesitate about giving her aspirin.
Going to the vet can be expensive. You might try explaining that you are having financial difficulties right now, so you want to keep the cost to a minimum. Some vets will try to help with that.
Your dog is equivalent to a 70-year-old person who has a number of health issues. Of course she doesn't need a sprained leg to add to her woes. (Hopefully, it is not more severe than that.)
I hope your dog is able to recover on her own and that it is nothing more than a sprain. Best wishes on her good health.
Can I give my Boston Terrier a baby aspirin?
Question
December 13, 2009
I have a Boston Terrier, weighs 20 pounds. Can I give her one baby aspirin a day, 81 mg or what amount should I give her?
Ron - USA
18839
Answer
For 20 pound dog, a baby aspirin or 81 mg is a safe amount given with food.
However, you need a good reason to give the dog aspirin, such as temporary pain relief. Aspirin should not be given to a dog on a regular basis.
If a dog is in extreme discomfort, it is a reason to give it aspirin. However, it is good to check whether that to find out the reason for the discomfort.
Small dog got upset stomach from aspirin
Question
November 20, 2009
Our dog weighs 12.5 lbs. He went to jump from one recyliner to the other when he slipped and hit the foot rest. Course he cried & cried. We checked him for broken bones. Couldn't walk on his L back foot for awhile. Then he got so he could. Let him outside to do his job and when he hicked his leg, it hurt all over again. We gave him 1/2 of low dose Bayer (81). Today his tummy is upset. Should we have not given him the aspirin? What will happen now? I know its a little too late to ask but any response will help.
Donna - USA
18712
Answer
Aspirin can irritate the stomach. That is why is should always be given with food. Also, it is possible that some dogs may be more sensitive than others. Care should be taken in small dogs, just because of their size.
I'd hold off on giving him more aspirin. If he is still in great pain, you might check with your vet about getting a prescription for Rimadyl.
Best wishes on a good recovery from his injury.
Young dog won't go potty
Question
October 31, 2009
Hi, I have a 1yr old lively American Bulldog. A couple days ago, it seems like her tail went numb. When she went to bed, she was fine, but when I woke up the next morning to take her outside, she didn't wag her tail at me when she saw me. She seemed to have a little trouble getting up, and she is walking a little awkwardly-no limp though. When she is laying down, she will clench her stomach and sometimes pass gas. She will drink water, but she doesn't really want her food. She has urinated but no potty.
Prior to this happening she was on an antibiotic for about a month b/c she was bitten by an insect and had a major reaction. It just so happened that the first day she was off of the antibiotic, this happened w/her tail. I don't know what to do with her. Could she have swallowed something and it block her from pottying? but why would her tail not be working?
Pleas help, any suggestions will help.
~kalie
k - USA
18601
Answer
Young dogs often eat things they shouldn't. Most of the time objects just pass through. Not wagging her tail, not having a bowel movement and passing gas may be an indication of some blockage. Perhaps her rear is sore, such that it hurts to wag the tail.
I've heard of dogs eating a sock and then finally passing it through in a few days.
You can give her some boiled chicken and rice which is easy to digest, if her stomach is upset. If she is still constipated after three or four days, you might check with your vet. But hopefully, she will pass what is bothering her and get back to normal.
Giving my small dogs aspirin twice a day
Question
October 14, 2009
I am giving our Peppe ( a Pekingesse ) who weighs 15lbs. a half and a fourth of an aspirin in the morning and evening with her eating food before she gets it for her arthritis, how long can she be on the aspirin for this problem
charlene - USA
18505
Answer
It is best to only give the aspirin when she really seems to need it, like on cold, damp days. Just like with humans, the worst part of arthritis is just when a person gets up after sitting or laying down. Once the joints warm up, it is not as bad.
Giving aspirin on a regular basis--even with food--may cause stomach problems. Also, with a small dog, you need to be extra careful that not too much is given.
Just use the aspirin when she really seems uncomfortable.
Does aspirin affect my dog's pancreatitis?
Question
September 17, 2009
My dog has pancreatitis will baby asprin hurt her in any way. She also has arthritis. It is not real bad but she does sometime limp so I thought if I could when needed give her baby asprin this might help. But I need to know if baby asprin will cause her any problems with the pacreatitis. She is not having a flare up with the pancreatitis at this time. I am just concerned that it might cause a flare up.
Sharon - USA
18332
Answer
Antibiotics are usually used to treat pancreatitis. There are some reports saying that aspirin can increase acute or severe pancreatitis, so I would look to healing the ailment and not use the aspirin.
Are far as using aspirin for your dog's arthritis goes, it is best to only use if she is in real pain. Stiffness or limping until the joints get warmed up don't really require aspirin.
What is the life expectancy for most dogs?
Question
September 4, 2009
What is the life expectancy for most dogs. We have a Dalmation and he is starting to have a lot of health problems. He is 13 dog yrs old.
He is a wonderful dog and we love him so much.
cheryl - USA
18255
Answer
See "Comparison of Animal Ages" at
http://www.school-for-champions.com/animalhealth/animal_ages.htm
It will show you age versus weight of your dog. Heavy or large dogs don't live as long as smaller dogs.
I would guess your 13-year old Dalmatian is equivalent to a human in his mid 70s.
Summary
Hopefully, this reader feedback has helped provide useful information to you.
Websites
Books
Top-rated
books on Animal Health
What do you think?
Do you have any questions, comments, or opinions on this subject? If so, send an email with your feedback. We will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Share link
Feel free to establish a link from your website to pages in this site.
Or use our form to send this link to yourself or a friend.
Students and researchers
The Web address of this page is
www.school-for-champions.com/animalhealth/aspirin_answers.CFM.
Please include it as a reference in your report, document, or thesis.
Where can you go from here?
Answers to Readers' Questions on Giving Your Dog Aspirin