My Dog Ate Diclofenac What Should I Do?

Many pet parents take Diclofenac for pain. It’s commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and other types of painful conditions caused by inflammation. But what happens if a doc eats Diclofenac?

Has your dog eaten Diclofenac? Are you worried that Diclofenac could make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when a dog eats something like this.

We’ve put together information about Diclofenac and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!

What is Diclofenac?

Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works to reduce substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. This medication is often used to treat mild to moderate pain caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other painful conditions. It’s also used to treat migraines. Diclofenac comes in both pill and ointment form and can be bought over the counter.

While this medication is safe for humans, what about dogs? Can Diclofenac make a dog sick?

Diclofenac & Dogs

Unfortunately, Diclofenac can be toxic to dogs if taken in large enough amounts. However, this medication (ointment form) is sometimes prescribed by vets for certain eye problems in dogs.

Diclofenac, when ingested, can cause toxicity in dogs (and other pets).

Symptoms of Diclofenac Toxicity in Dogs

You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten Diclofenac?

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting (may contain blood)
• Loss of bladder control
• Pale mucous membranes
• Abnormally rapid heart rate
• Seizures
• Coma
• Collapse

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.

At the vet’s, they will work to stabilize your canine companion with various medications and fluids. For dogs that suffer extreme blood loss, infusions may be necessary. They will also give your dog medications to help relieve GI problems and help with pain relief.

Some dogs may need to be hospitalized overnight or longer, depending on the severity of their symptoms.

The good news is that dogs who receive prompt medical treatment have the best chance of making a full recovery.

So, be sure to keep all medication out of your dog’s reach. There are dogs who can reach pretty high. For these dogs, it may be necessary to store medications in a cabinet that’s up where he can’t reach it. This is the best way to keep your dog safe from eating Diclofenac in the future.