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My old dog has arthritis symptoms. What pain medicine is safe for her?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | spayed | 16 years old

Evie is about 16 years old. We think she has arthritis, as it has gotten very cold in the last two days and she is suddenly whining and having trouble getting up the steps. We knew a boxer with hip arthritis who acted similarly. Is there medicine we can give her to help out? We only have human medicine like Bayer in our house and Im not sure what to do to ease the symptoms.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 11th, 2019

You will need to take your dog to a veterinarian for an exam and a blood test checking kidney and liver function. This will ensure that your dog can safely take NSAIDs in order to alleviate pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on July 8th, 2017
Generally speaking, tramadol or gabapentin are the safest pain medication options for a dog with pre-existing liver or kidney issues. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) have more risks in a dog with these issues, so most vets would probably try to avoid them in this case. I would recommend asking Lulu's regular veterinarian what he/she would recommend - they should be able to prescribe a safe pain medication for her.

You might also consider starting a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement such as Dasuquin, along with an omega-3 fatty acid supplement like Welactin - both of these have been shown to be helpful for arthritis, and can safely be used along with prescription pain meds if needed. These are generally considered to be very safe, but it's always best to check with your regular vet before starting any new supplements, to make sure they don't have any concerns.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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