A reluctance to stand or slow response to a sit command may be a sign your dog suffers from canine arthritis pain. You may think this is a normal part of aging for your pet but recent development in veterinary care have led to dog arthritis treatments through pet meds that work wonders to relieve joint pain.

Aspirin is often recommended for arthritis pain in dogs. Given in small doses (baby aspirin) this common, inexpensive drug provide pain relief by relieving inflammation. Ibuprofen can be used but can have the side effect of stomach irritation with frequent use. Aspirin may seem the cheapest and easiest option for your dog's arthritis treatment but even aspirin can cause side effects, especially with long term use. Your vet may recommend using aspirin as a temporary relief of joint pain but should not be given to dogs suffering from kidney disease or problems with blood pressure. Prolonged used of aspirin can cause stomach irritation.

The arthritis pain your dog feels is not the same every day. Just as humans are affect by weather and temperature, dog arthritis is the same. A change in humidity, cold weather or a change in his activity level can affect the arthritic canine. Some days are just more painful than others.

For stronger pain your veterinarian may recommend Rimadyl, Deramaxx or Metacam. These are non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) that are amazingly effective pain management for many dogs.

Perhaps the best known prescription dog med is Rimadyl. For treating dog arthritis pain, pain after surgery or for dogs with fever, Rimadyl is well tolerated and effective. The tasty, chewable tabs seem to be treats to most dogs. Rimadyl for dogs cannot be used on breeding animals or for pregnant or lactating canines. Rimadyl acts by reducing the hormones that cause pain in the dog.

A small number of pet owners have reported liver problems as a side effect of Rimadyl treatment. The side effects seem to reverse themselves when the medication is withdrawn. The benefits experience by thousands of animals taking Rimadyl for dog arthritis treatment seem to outweigh the risk of a reaction to the pet med.

The breakthrough product, Deramaxx, is in chewable beef-flavored form that dogs love. Side effects involving the digestive system, kidneys or liver may occur with Deramaxx as with any NSAID pet med.

The sweet taste of Metacam is a treat for dogs. Tis oral NSAID allow carefully controlled dosages based on the size and weight of the animal and can be easily added to the pet's daily food. One dose of Metacam provides a full 24 hours of pain relief. Your veterinarian will prescribe the lowest possible dose of any dog arthritis medicine and will adjust the dosage as needed.

Starting with the lowest possible dosage of pain meds enables you to treat arthritis long term. Dog arthritis is a lifetime affliction once it begins. Your vet will also conduct a full physical exam of your pet and will consider other medications he is taking to less the chance of the dog developing a reaction to the pain medication.