My dog ran out of Carprofen. Can I give her OTC pain relief?

Unfortunately I do not recommend giving any over the counter pain medications to dogs. While aspirin is available in some pet stores and technically can be given to dogs it can easily cause stomach upset and if Koda was recently given any kind of NSAID medication it could cause serious problems. It’s also not the best for pain! I would recommend calling your vet to see if they can refill the pain medication for Koda since she’s still sore. Sometimes a warm compress can also help with comfort.

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.

Unfortunately there are no over the counter pain medications that are safe for dogs. I would recommend discussing with your veterinarian if there is something you can switch him to that is more cost effective and still approved for use in dogs. You can also check into online pharmacies or box stores (such as Costco) that offer pet medications at a lower price.

I wouldn’t recommend it -carprofen may not be safe for dogs that have underlying medical conditions like a sensitive stomach, kidney or liver disease. Older dogs are more likely to have an issue like this. If Goose was prescribed carprofen in the recent past it might be a little safer but otherwise I’d recommend talking to your vet first. Sadly there is not another over the counter pain option that I’d consider to be safer so if you feel he’s in significant pain you may want to consider seeing a vet tonight.

Unfortunately there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs, as the ones we use in humans can cause liver toxicity and stomach ulcers. I would recommend consulting with your veterinarian for a pain medication. The most popular are NSAIDs such as carprofen, meloxicam, and deracoxib. For long term/mild Arthritis pain a glucosamine chondroitin joint supplement like Dasuquin can help but must be taken daily for about a month before results are seen.

Unfortunately no. Many human pain medications are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe.

Unfortunately there are no over the counter pain medications that I would recommend - while aspirin can be given to dogs it has a high risk for causing stomach ulcers with even a couple of doses and it will limit what your vet might be able to prescribe. While you could consider starting a gluocosamine supplement or fish oil it won't work right away. I think your best bet is to wait until you see your vet. If you feel Rufus is truly painful then you could see an emergency vet. tonight.