It can be so difficult to watch our dogs age and succumb to the aches of elderly life. On top of that, you may not always know when your dog is suffering, because they’re so good at keeping the discomfort hidden.
Typically, when they do become noticeably uncomfortable, it’s often because the pain is quite severe. Because of that, it’s so important to keep a close eye on your dog and try to notice discomfort before it becomes too serious of a problem.
When you notice changes in your dog, it’s wise to get them to a vet. However, keep in mind that the medicines your doctor may prescribe aren’t always going to be the miracles they may seem to be.
Consequently, it’s important that you have plenty of knowledge about the medications your vet might recommend. To arm you with all the information you’ll need, we’re taking a look at the uses, benefits, side effects and dosages for Galliprant, as well as some alternatives you can consider.
What Is Galliprant For Dogs?
If you’re familiar with ibuprofen and aspririn, then you’ll know essentially what an NSAID is. Galliprant is an NSAID designed for animal use, which can help with inflammation as well as the pain that can result from it. While it is similar to medications that humans can get over the counter, it’s important that Galliprant only be used under the orders of a vet. Otherwise, things can get pretty dicey for your pet.
How Galliprant Works
Many NSAIDs interfere with the COX enzyme in order to help with relieving pain from a variety of different kinds of inflammation. That said, some NSAIDs can be specifically designed to work for specific kinds of inflammation, mainly acute and chronic inflammation, which can reduce the negative effects that can occur when compared to those that target any inflammation.
Galliprant is a non-COX drug and works differently than NSAIDs. Galliprant is one of the options that targets more specific kinds of pain. Specifically, it’s a great options for osteoarthritis in canines because it keeps a handle on the EP4 receptor. As a result, if this specificity, it’s one of the few options that can be easier on dogs who have a hard time with NSAIDs.
On top of that, other options can require keeping an eye on vital organs, which can get invasive as well as costly. However, Galliprant typically doesn’t have this requirement, making it a little safer than others.
