NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs, are prescribed as pain, inflammation and fever relievers. NSAIDs
are most commonly used for the symptomatic relief of arthritic pain in
geriatric pets.
Aspirin and ibuprofen are well-recognized human NSAIDs. The Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has
approved specific NSAIDs for use in pets with osteoarthritis.
The
FDA considers NSAIDs to be “safe and effective when used according to the label and when pet
owners are informed about
common NSAID adverse reactions.” According to the American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA), the NSAIDs available today are much safer
than they have ever been in the past and cause far fewer side effects.
The FDA also notes that “duration of use makes a difference in the
safety” of NSAIDs as the risk of side effects can increase the longer a
pet is given an NSAID.
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