My senior dog won't eat, drink, or walk. What pain relief is safe?

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.

No, do not give Chief baby aspirin. It causes GI bleeding and ulcers in dogs, and is not safe to give at all. It sounds like he could have some back pain or possibly hip pain. He needs to see a vet as soon as possible for this problem. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can treat it as well as prescribe safe pain medications for him. Please take him into the vet first thing tomorrow morning, and rest him until them. No running, jumping, or playing. Don't pick him up unless absolutely necessary. Take him out to toilet on a lead only and bring him right back in when he's done. Best of luck.

Hello. I agree, surgery at this age would not be ideal given her age. You do not indicate what meds she is already on, but she should be receiving an NSAID such as meloxicam, carprofen, or any one of several excellent drugs in this classification. I would also have her on gabapentin, possibly tramadol, & maybe even Adequan injections, just in case some of her joints are painful. An alternative for the NSAIDs would be steroids as they are very good at reducing inflammation, but that does put her at some risk for side effects. Hopefully, these can keep him comfortable for some time to come. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. Ibuprofen should not be given to dogs as even in small amounts it can be toxic. I recommend that you have Baby girl evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Poor Blitz. I would first make sure you have him at a healthy weight. These things can be so much harder to handle when they are overweight. I am most worried about the aspirin dose as it can cause an upset stomach and even a GI ulcer when given for too long. I would talk to your vet about trying Galliprant or rimadyl or something similar for pain and inflammation. Galliprant is the safest for the liver and kidneys. I would also look to see if you have an alternative or integrative vet in your area that specializes in Chinese herbs and acupuncture. I have had great success with these and dogs with severe arthritis and pain. Finally, I would look into a brace that helps these guys stand up. It is called orthodog hip hound brace. You can also look into Dr. Buzby's toegrips or pawfriction to help him with traction on slick floors if that seems to be troubling him as well. I hope this helps!

Please do not give him aspirin! It is not recommended to give it to dogs, as it causes internal bleeding and GI ulcers, and you should stop giving it to him now to prevent this from happening. The only safe pain medications for dogs are available by prescription from the vet. You will have to take him into the vet in order to get these medications. Paying for a vet UK: If paying for a vet is an issue, you can see if your vet accepts payment plans, if there is a low cost clinic in your area, or you can apply for Carefree Credit online. http://www.carefreecredit.co.uk https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/vetcare http://www.easipetcare.com You can also give him glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate supplements. They provide the necessary nutrients for cartilage repair and function. Use of them helps relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis.

Sorry to hear about poor Kolby. I'm actually quite worried about him, because the lack of appetite and history of giving aspirin could indicate that something is very wrong. While aspirin can be safely given at certain doses, it is not a medication that is advised long-term and could cause him to get ulcers in his stomach or intestine. I don't completely understand the last sentence, but it appears there may be a concern with the vet. I hope that you can find a vet to look Kolby, because he could get much worse without professional treatment. For now, stop the aspirin and make sure he has plenty of water. The all meat diet will cause the gas, but if that's all he'll eat, then it's OK to feed a little throughout the day. I hope that helps and Kolby gets better soon.