diclofenac sodium is the active ingredient of a well-known drug used under the trade name Voltaren or Voltadol. It is a product used to combat pain Has your vet prescribed it for your dog? Do you have doubts about its uses or dosages?
In this article on our site we will talk about diclofenac for dogs, how this drug is used in veterinary medicine and what aspects are important to have account for use. As we always insist, this and any other medication can only be administered to a dog by veterinary prescription
Is diclofenac bad for dogs?
Diclofenac is an active ingredient included in the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, that is, those commonly known as NSAIDs. These are products that are prescribed to relieve pain, especially related to joint or bone problems Diclofenac can be used for dogs as long as it is prescribed by the veterinarian.
Veterinary use of diclofenac
Diclofenac for pain in dogs is used in veterinary as well as in humans, that is, above all in case of alterations at the bone and joint levelBut it can also be prescribed by the veterinarian ophthalmologist as part of the treatment of eye diseases such as uveitis in dogs or, in general, those that cause inflammation. It is also used as medication before or after eye surgery.
Obviously, the presentation of the medication will not be the same. Being an NSAID it also has an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect, that is, against fever.
In addition, in some cases the veterinarian may add complex B with diclofenac for dogs. This complex refers to a group of B vitamins with different and important functions in the body. It is usually supplemented with when a deficit is suspected or to improve the general condition of the animal.
In any case, there are other anti-inflammatories for dogs that are more widely used than diclofenac for pain problems associated with bones or joints, such as carprofen, firocoxib or meloxicam. These are safer for use in these animals and have fewer side effects
Diclofenac dosage for dogs
As with all drugs, we must pay attention to the dosage and strictly follow the recommendations of the veterinarian. Even so, NSAIDs have a considerable impact on the digestive system, and can cause symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea but also ulcers. For this reason, especially in prolonged treatments, NSAIDs are prescribed together with stomach protectors Avoid using this medicine in animals with kidney or liver problems.
The dose of diclofenac for dogs can only be established by the veterinarian and, to determine it, he will take into account the pathology and characteristics of the animal. The studies carried out on the drugs provide a range of safe doses from which the he alth professional can choose. The aim is always to achieve the maximum effect with the lowest possible dose In the case of eye drops, the dose and administration pattern will depend on the problem to be treated.
An excessive dose causes vomiting, which may contain blood, tarry stools, anorexia, lethargy, changes in urination or thirst, malaise, abdominal pain, seizures, and even death. Hence our existence in which we only use the drugs prescribed by the veterinarian, in the doses and during the indicated time.
Presentations of diclofenac for dogs
Diclofenac gel for dogs, which would be what is currently marketed for humans under the name Voltadol and is widely used, is not widely used for obvious reasons, sinceit is not comfortable or operative to apply gel on hairy areas of the animal's body.
Ophthalmic diclofenac for dogs is the one chosen for ocular treatmentThat it is an eye drop should not make us think that it has no side effects, so we should never apply it without a veterinary prescription. With this presentation of diclofenac in drops for dogs we also have to watch the dose so as not to overdo it. Diclofenac lepori for a dog, which is an eye drop for human use, can only be prescribed by a veterinarian
It is also possible to resort to injectable diclofenac for dogs. In this case, the drug will be administered by the veterinarian or, if you have to puncture at home, he will explain how we should prepare and store the drug, how and where we have to inoculate it. A local reaction may occur at the injection site.
