My dog is injured. Can I give him OTC pain meds when vet is closed?

Dogs can experience pain from a variety of health conditions, including [osteoarthritis](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/arthritis-1/),[ dental disease](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/dental-disease/), [urinary tract infections](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/utis-in-dogs/) or traumatic injuries, among many others. While it is extremely difficult to see our four-legged friends in pain, there are no safe and effective over-the-counter medications for managing pain in dogs (or cats). Over the counter pain relievers for humans, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve) are all toxic to animals. Aspirin should also not be given to dogs because it causes significant irritation and potential ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract, and it inhibits a dog’s ability to clot blood. If you think that your dog is in pain, your best bet is to take him to your veterinarian. After performing a [physical exam](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-does-your-veterinarian-look-for-during-a-physical-exam/), your veterinarian will be able to prescribe safe and effective medication. Only give pain medication to the pet for which it was prescribed due to risks with drug interactions, improper doses or contraindications with certain medical conditions. ### Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Galliprant is a registered trademark of Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.

First off, do not give Sadie aspirin. It can cause internal bleeding and kidney damage, and it is never recommended to give to a dog unless strictly prescribed by a vet. There are no safe OTC pain relievers for dogs. Many are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. I would call around to find another vet who is open and who can see her, as she sounds extremely painful. Until you find a vet who is open, keep her quiet and rested, and do not move her unless it's necessary.

Poor Viper! I don't recommend giving over the counter pain medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen or Tylenol as these can have serious side effects in animals. It will also limit the type of pain medication that your veterinarian can prescribe and may result in Viper not getting adequate pain control. Unfortunately there is nothing over the counter that can be given to dogs for pain control, so if he is acting very painful, I would recommend taking him to a vet tonight if you can. If you are unable to, I would recommend taking him as soon as you can tomorrow. Most bite wounds will get infected and they almost always need oral antibiotics. The veterinarian will also make sure the wound isn't worse than it looks. Bite wounds can appear small on the surface, but can penetrate deeper than what we see or tear the skin from underlying tissue so that a pocket is created under the skin. These pockets can fill up with blood or pus and need to be drained. Good luck and I hope that Viper is feeling better soon!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Louis. Unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him. Many human ones like the one you listed above are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if taken. I would have him seen by his vet. The vet can prescribe a safe pain medication for you to give him as needed. I hope this helps!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sam. Poor boy! Unfortunately there are no OTC pain relievers you can give him. Many human ones are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. You can try putting a cold compress on his neck where he got the bite to see if that helps with his pain. Have him seen by a vet first thing in the morning. Best of luck.

Ideally, he should be seen by your veterinarian. Potential infection and pain are concerns that should be addressed by a vet. A rabies booster may also be considered. If a vet visit is not possible right now, place an e-collar (cone) on Simon to prevent rubbing or pawing. Keep the wound clean with a diluted Betadine or Hibiclens solution, being careful to not get any in his mouth. Monitor for redness, swelling, active bleeding, discharge, fever or loss of appetite. This are all symptoms that require veterinary attention. Unfortunately, there are no completely safe OTC products that can be given for pain. Many or toxic to dogs or easily overdosed.

It is not recommended to give pets ibuprofen. I recommend instead to call your veterinarian. They may want to see him to make sure his cranial cruciate ligament has not been injured or that a kneecap is out of place. They can also provide pet safe pain medication. Tonight keep him off the leg as much as possible. Gently massage the leg and you can apply a cool, not cold, compress. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.