“My pet has a sensitive tummy. Can they still take pain relief for their arthritis?”

Traditionally, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as carprofen, meloxicam or firocoxib have been used to help manage the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis in pets. While these drugs can be very effective, some sensitive-tummied pets aren’t able to tolerate them, developing symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, or even potentially severe gut ulceration and bleeding.

So what alternative pain relief options are available for arthritic pets who just “can’t stomach” NSAIDs? Depending on any other health or behavioural issues the pet has, our vets may be able to prescribe options including:

• Paracetamol – for dogs with healthy liver function, but NEVER for cats (as cats cannot safely metabolise paracetamol, so it causes poisoning).
• Amantadine or intermittent low-dose ketamine injections – these drugs can help reduce the increased sensitivity that can occur with chronic pain.
• Gabapentin – this drug can help relieve chronic nerve-related pain in dogs and cats and is also a bit of a “chill pill”!
• Prescription CBD – safe prescription CBD oil initiated at a low dose and gradually increased to an effective level can have great pain relief, anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulation and anti-anxiety effects for dogs!
• Nerve blocks – specialised pet pain relief services can administer nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance to help reduce pain in problematic joints.
• Monthly pain relief injections – for select cases, monthly monoclonal antibody pain relief injections can help block nerve growth factor, thereby preventing joint pain signals from reaching the brain.
• Supplements – safe supplements (such as fish oil, PEA, epitalis or turmeric) at therapeutic dosages can help reduce arthritis pain and inflammation on a day-to-day basis, so can be a useful adjunct to other pain relief drugs.

For personalised recommendations on safe joint pain relief for your pet, consult our orthopaedically-awesome vets!