Administering Aspirin Suspension to Pets

Aspirin suspension is a common medication used in veterinary practice, but it must be administered carefully under the guidance of a veterinarian. While aspirin can alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and inhibit platelet aggregation, improper dosage can lead to gastrointestinal issues or even toxicity. Cats are particularly sensitive to salicylates, requiring precise dosing, while dogs can tolerate low doses but require caution with long-term usage.

Veterinary consultation is essential to determine the proper dosage based on the animal’s size, medical history, and condition. It’s crucial to disclose all medications currently being administered to avoid potential drug interactions with aspirin. Aspirin can decrease serum concentrations of T-3, T-4, and free T-4, so caution is advised when dosing patients with thyroid disorders.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a severe complication of various life-threatening conditions, disrupting the body’s natural blood clotting mechanisms. Aspirin is therapeutically used for its effects on platelet aggregation in the treatment of DIC and pulmonary artery disease secondary to other conditions in dogs (Plumb, 2008). Weight-based suspensions can be compounded to ensure accurate dosing for pets.

Dosing:

Dogs DIC-150-300mg/20kg animal once daily to every other day for 10 days