How much aspirin can I give my dog for her arthritis?

Question

She is a 9 year old chihiau and is about 16 pounds. I have been cutting a 325mg aspirin in half and give it to her 1-2 times a day. I am off work and recieve a very small disability check so I really can't take her to the vet and I hate to have her suffering. Thanks.

Answer 1

According to this chart 5 mg per lbs every 12 hours

Answer 2

Aspirin has the same problems in dogs that it has in people. It can cause gastrointestinal upsets and ulcers if the GI signs are ignored. It can cause renal failure if overdosed. It causes an increase in clotting time. This usually isn't a serious side effect but it does occur. Despite these shortcomings it has a lot of beneficial effects and it is inexpensive. The currently recommended dosage of aspirin varies a little from publication to publication but it is between 5 and 15mg/lb every 12 hours. Since there is a range I usually pick the middle of it and go for about 10mg/lb every 12 hours. This works well and seems to be pretty safe. That works out to an aspirin tablet per 32 pounds of body weight twice a day. I have to admit that I rarely advise giving more than 2 aspirin twice a day despite the fact that some big dogs could obviously take more based on the per pound calculation.
Aspirin may also cause birth defects, so it should not be given to pregnant animals. Aspirin also interacts with several other drugs, particularly cortisones, digoxin, some antibiotics, Phenobarbital, and Furosemide (Lasix®) Note that a dog is not a human. Just because your dog "does not feel good" is not a reason to give it an aspirin. Usually, aspirin is given to relieve extreme conditions of discomfort. Also note that most vets prescribe Rimadyl as a better pain-killer and anti-inflammatory than aspirin. It can be toxic if given in high doses of about 30 mg per pound of the dog. This means that even baby aspirin could be poisonous for dogs weighing two pounds or less. An adult aspirin which is 320 mg. would be toxic for a 10-pound dog. To be sure that you are using the aspirin for the right reason and at the right dose, you should consult your veterinarian first.

Not for young dogs or cats
Aspirin is poorly tolerated by young dogs, since they lack the enzymes necessary to process the aspirin. The same is true for most cats. You should not give your dog such products as Tylenol as a substitute for real aspirin. Some people say their vet prescribed Tylenol, but most sources say it should not be given to animals.
Weight of dog &
Number of tablets each 12 hours mg:
8 lbs [3.62 kg] ½ baby aspirin or less
40 mg
16 lbs [7.25 kg] 1 baby aspirin
80 mg
32 lbs [14.50 kg] ½ adult or 2 baby
160 mg
48 lbs [21.75 kg] ¾ adult or 3 baby
240 mg
64 lbs [29.00 kg] 1 adult or 4 baby
320 mg
80 lbs [36.30 kg] 1¼ adult or 5 baby
400 mg
96 lbs [43.55 kg] 1½ adult or 6 baby
480 mg
On a final note:
When giving a dog aspirin always check the dogs stool. Look for black stools which can indicate occult bleeding, and then discontinue aspirin immediately (use a buffered aspirin instead). The coated aspirins are not readily digestible by canines, and are often passed through with little but the coating having been digested.

Answer 3

RE:
How much aspirin can I give my dog for her arthritis?
She is a 9 year old chihiau and is about 16 pounds. I have been cutting a 325mg aspirin in half and give it to her 1-2 times a day. I am off work and recieve a very small disability check so I really can't take her to the vet and I hate to have her suffering. Thanks.

Answer 4

i would give a baby aspirin, not adult aspirin. DO NOT EVER GIVE TYLENOL OR IBUPROFIN. Both of these are deadly to dogs. Aspirin can also cause GI upset including vomiting or diarreah including blood. Talk with your vet about aspirin and NSAIDs. Both should be taken with extreme care. Remember that a dog is not a person so just because a medicine is sold over the counter to people does NOT mean it's safe for dogs.

Answer 5

Old Smokey is dead wrong. That's a Tylenol overdose for even a medium size dog. His dose will kill your dog.

Cut the amount you are giving your dog to 1/4 BABY aspirin -- as in 20 mg + or -. They metabolize it more slowly than humans, and too much can cause a dangerous buildup.

Answer 6

I would recommend that you speak with your vet and ask him/her to recommend a Glucosamine and Chondroitin Supplement, there are also other medications that will certainly help that yourrvet can safely perscribe. . I would strongly recommend that you discusswith your vet giving any aspirin etc.to your dog, it could do more harm than good. Also, Tylenol, Advil, Aleve are all very dangerous for your dog.

Answer 7

placervillevet.com/aspirin.htm
This is a web site that can tell you all the info that you might need

I have always given it to my dog and he was 16 when he died. He had arthritis
I gave him the 81mg cut that in half once in morning and once at night he was a palm-terrier mix so he was small.
Hope this helps you.

Answer 8

Lord have mercy!! Don't listen to Old Smokey!! He's trying to kill your dog!! NEVER give a dog Tylenol!! But you probably already knew that. My vet tells me to give my 60 pound GSD one 325 mg COATED aspirin.
Good luck!!

Answer 9

Call and ask your vet for proper dosages. Too much of any med long term can be dangerous for your dog.

Answer 10

There is an aspring called Bufferin Dogs can have a whole one of those no more than that.