Brand Names
Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin

Type of Drug
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), pain reliever, fever reducer

Form and Storage
Tablets
Store at room temperature protected from moisture.

Indications for Use
Treatment of pain, inflammation, fever.

General Information
Not FDA approved for use in veterinary medicine, but it is a common and accepted practice to use aspirin in dogs. Available over the counter. Used in dogs for pain relief from overused muscles or arthritis and joint disease, including hip dysplasia.

Administration
Duration of treatment depends on response to treatment and reason for treatment. Give with a small amount of food to decrease the risk of ulcers forming.

Aspirin can be fatal to cats. Aspirin should NOT be given to cats except under direct supervision by your veterinarian.

Side Effects
May see lack of appetite, vomiting, or black or bloody stool which may be symptoms of stomach ulcers. May cause kidney damage. Symptoms include lack of appetite, vomiting, or an increase or decrease in water consumption. Less commonly seen are allergic reactions, anemia, or low blood protein levels due to blood loss.

Contraindications/Warnings
Do not use in patients hypersensitive (allergic) to it.

Only use under direct supervision of a veterinarian in cats, as they metabolize it very slowly (over 3-4 days). Death may occur with use in cats.

Do not use aspirin products that contain other ingredients such as caffeine, codeine, or acetaminophen. These drugs can kill animals.

Stop aspirin treatment at least 1 week prior to surgery to help avoid bleeding problems during or after surgery.

Do not use in dogs who have bleeding problems such as von Willebrand's Disease or who have stomach ulcers.

Not for use in animals that have asthma or kidney disease.

Not for use in pregnant or lactating animals.

May cause false positive or negative urine glucose test results.

Use buffered aspirin, not enteric-coated aspirin (the coating can decrease the absorption of aspirin from the intestines in dogs).

Drug or Food Interactions
Do not use with other anti-inflammatories like corticosteroids or other NSAIDs such as Rimadyl or EtoGesic.

Toxic effects are more likely if used with urinary acidifiers such as methionine or high doses of Vitamin C.

Furosemide may increase blood levels of aspirin.

Phenobarbital and corticosteroids may decrease the effect of aspirin.

Heparin or warfarin given with aspirin may increase risk of bleeding.

Aspirin may increase the blood levels of digoxin (a heart medication), methotrexate, valproic acid, phenytoin, warfarin, penicillins, and sulfonamides.

Use with aminoglycoside antibiotics increases the risk of kidney disease.

The antacids in buffered aspirin may alter tetracycline products, allow at least 1 hour between giving them if need to treat with both.

Give with a small amount of food to decrease the risk of ulcers forming.

Overdose/Toxicity
May see depression, vomiting with or without blood in it, blood in the stool, black (from digested blood) stool, lack of appetite, increased body temperature, increased rate of breathing, weakness, fluid buildup in lungs or brain, changes in the potassium and sodium levels in the blood, incoordination, seizures, coma, or death.