Can Dogs Take Human Painkillers?

One of the biggest search terms that brings people to this site is ‘can dogs take human painkillers?’. The actual article that this leads people to is a news item about a company that has developed painkillers for dogs. I wanted to put up this post to definitively answer the specific question that (a lot of) people are asking about whether they can actually give their dog human painkillers.

Can Dogs Have Human Painkillers?

The short and very important answer ‘can I give my dog human pain killers?’ is a resounding no!

No, no and thrice no. Don’t do it, don’t consider it.

It is absolutely horrendous for any dog lover to see their dog suffering with any kind of pain.

We know and appreciate that dogs can’t talk and can’t be specific with us about where their pain might be or even how bad it is.

But, we know our dogs and we do know when they’re in pain so – it would seem – often times owners will turn to the Internet and research whether it would be OK to slip them a paracetamol or other human manufactured pain management drug.

Sadly, dogs have come to serious harm and death as a result of being given medicine that was not developed with their specific needs in mind. And sometimes the suffering resulting from such (an honest) error can be excruciating for the dog and obviously very, very traumatic for the dog’s owner.

There is – and I appreciate this might be the boring response – only one responsible response to a dog in pain and that is to call in the professionals. You can, of course, manage your dog’s health on a day to day basis. For example, there are now dog health tracker apps to help dog owners monitor the day to day well-being of their pet.

Dogs in pain should be seen by a vet who will be able to both identify the underlying cause and prescribe the most effective pain management solution.

The sooner the dog can be seen and treated, the faster the issue can be brought under control.

So, no matter how tempting it may be – be warned: giving dogs human pain killers can kill them and can actually cause much, much worse suffering for the animal.

Breakthrough on Painkillers for Dogs

A pharmaceutical company focused on pet health has announced it is to market the first canine pain management product delivered in a transmucosal mist form. Abbott (NYSE:ABT) announced today they have partnered with Velcera, Inc to bring to market the product – currently in clinical trials – which combines the proven pain medication meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with Velcera’s patented Promist technology, and has been globally licensed for pain management in dogs.

“Abbott Animal Health is dedicated to bringing high quality and innovative treatments to veterinarians and their clients,” said Lynn Bromstedt, divisional vice president, Abbott Animal Health. “This revolutionary pain management product will be a great addition to Abbott’s existing animal health portfolio and could make medication compliance easier for pet owners.”

Promist technology delivers the active ingredient through a fine mist to the inside cheek or oral cavity of the animal, where it is quickly absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth. Studies show the product is bioequivalent with oral liquid formulations, and bioavailability can be as much as ten times that of a tablet formulation, depending on the active ingredient.

In addition to convenience for pet owners, Promist(TM) technology has several other advantages such as increased dosing confidence, faster absorption than delivery with a tablet or liquid and less concern with food interactions.

“Being able to partner with a trusted company like Abbott on a product of this nature is a testament to the importance of this technology,” said Dennis Steadman, chief executive officer, Velcera. “This agreement will help bring this new treatment method to market for the benefit of pets and pet owners.”

The product will expand Abbott Animal Health’s core focus areas, which currently include products in the areas of diabetes, anesthesia, wound care and fluid therapy, in addition to a recently announced partnership for one of the first cancer medicines designed specifically for dogs.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties have committed to consider future product developments and registrations using the Promist technology.

The news of advancements in pain management for dogs is one sure to be warmly welcomed by owners. The issue of what pain medicine can be used on dogs is one of the most popular dog related search terms online. Analytic data suggests many dog owners turn to the web first to ask questions such as ‘can I give paracetamol to my dog?’ and other related terms. If you suspect your dog is in pain it is an absolute must to consult with a vet and never, ever attempt to give a dog human painkillers.