Medicine Section

IBUPROFEN

1. What is it and how does the dog get the access?
• Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects
• It is available as 200 mg can contain up to 800 mg ibuprofen.
• It can be taken by dog either accidentally or when medicated by owners for pain
2. What happens at various doses?
• GI, renal, and central nervous system (CNS) effects.
• 25 mg/kg or more often lead to gastrointestinal (GI) problems and ulceration, manifested as vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
• 175 mg/kg increase a dog's risk of developing acute renal failure whereas aged dogs and dogs with history of renal failure may exhibit renal failure at lower doses.
• More than 400 mg/kg, CNS effects such as depression, seizures, and comas may occur.
3. How do you manage?
• Induce emesis, administering activated charcoal (multiple charcoal doses are indicated to reduce enterohepatic recirculation in dogs that have ingested high doses of ibuprofen)
• GI protectants (H2-blockers, sucralfate, misoprostol),
• Induce diuresis with intravenous fluids at twice the maintenance rate
• Monitor renal function