{"id":628922,"date":"2024-07-10T14:04:33","date_gmt":"2024-07-10T18:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628922"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:51:20","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:51:20","slug":"naproxen-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/naproxen-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Can naproxen be used for dogs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Naproxen is a popular over-the-counter pain reliever sold under the brand name Aleve. It belongs to a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that includes aspirin and ibuprofen. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved its use in dogs, and veterinarians generally avoid it because of the risk of severe side effects. Current guidelines advise veterinarians to only prescribe naproxen to dogs with osteoarthritis when no safer pain reliever is effective. <\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Save up to 80% on naproxen<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What is naproxen used for in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians rarely use <\/span>naproxen<\/span><\/a> in dogs because of the risk of serious side effects. When they use it, naproxen relieves pain and swelling due to osteoarthritis. Veterinary guidelines suggest naproxen should only be a drug of last resort <\/span>after other pain relievers<\/span><\/a> have failed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Osteoarthritis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Osteoarthritis is a <\/span>common problem in dogs<\/span><\/a>, particularly as they age. It occurs when cartilage in joints wears down, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. About <\/span>2.5%<\/span><\/a> of dogs evaluated by veterinary professionals are diagnosed with arthritis. However, post-mortem studies estimate that about one in five dogs have some degree of osteoarthritis. <\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians <\/span>use many treatments<\/span><\/a> to help osteoarthritic dogs. <\/span>For pain management<\/span><\/a>, veterinarians usually prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (<\/span>NSAIDs<\/span><\/a>) as a first-line therapy. NSAIDs block enzymes called cyclooxygenases. These enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2, synthesize prostaglandins, the chemicals responsible for swelling and pain. <\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians do not use NSAIDs familiar to most of us, such as aspirin, <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span><\/a>, or naproxen, because of the risk of serious side effects. Instead, they use NSAIDs FDA-approved for use in dogs, such as carprofen, grapiprant, or meloxicam. <\/span><\/p>\n

Because of the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney problems, nervous system effects, and blood abnormalities, veterinarians only give naproxen to dogs when other NSAIDs and pain relievers aren’t working.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is naproxen safe for dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Naproxen is not considered safe for dogs. In dogs, naproxen can cause serious problems such as digestive system bleeding, kidney problems, and blood problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naproxen should never be used in any dog with:<\/span><\/p>\n