Advil for your dog?

Our question this week was:

Can you give a Labrador an Advil when she's achy from damp, cold weather? My Abbie has stiff joints at times. She had Lyme's as a young puppy.

Michelle Goodrow


Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. Advil is a drug classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. It can be used in dogs but only very carefully at very careful doses. An article in our drug library talks about how it works and might be helpful – go to Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®, etc.)

Overdosing is common and can result in serious toxicity. If Abbie is painful, I'd recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian where they can prescribe other pain medications that may be safer and more effective for Abbie.

An article that might be helpful to you is on our Petplace.com is "Ibuprofen Toxicity in Dogs".


Best of luck!


Dr.