Joint Injury in Dogs & Joint Medication

Joint Injury in Dogs--Best Treatment Is Injectable Joint Medication
When dogs have a severe joint injury use an injectable joint medication, such as Adequan, rather than an oral medication.

Medication for Acute Joint Injury
With sudden or severe injury, injectable medications are better than oral joint medications because they reach the joint quickly and do not rely on absorption through the stomach and intestines. Some oral joint medications are difficult to absorb so our pets receive very little benefit from them. Although injectable joint medications are expensive prescription drugs, you can keep the cost down by giving the injections yourself—if you have the training. Products such as Adequan do not sting and can be given easily under the skin or into the muscle with very tiny needles.

Repair Versus Pain Relief--Disadvantage of NSAIDs
Because of the advertising done by pharmaceutical companies, many pet owners think the best medication for sudden injury is a on a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). NSAIDs help control pain, but they also delay healing. Instead, it is better to use a medication that actually helps repair the joint. Also, rest your pet, put ice on the injury, and elevate the limb.