Baby Aspirin for elderly toy poodle?

[DawnCt1]

I should have asked the vet when I was there last week but I didn't. Chelsea, age 14, 5.5 lbs is due to be groomed on Tuesday. The groomer suggested I give her a baby aspirin prior to bringing her in because she is older and a bit stiff. I am concerned about doing this because it seems like a big dose for a little dog. She also has a newly developed asymptomatic heart murmur, which probably wouldn't be impacted but who knows. Any thoughts?

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I'd call the vet on Monday and get their advice, especially with the heart murmur as a consideration.

ETA: And especially if she's on any meds for the heart murmur or anything else. No telling how an aspirin of any size could interact with other medication, just like with people. Good luck.

 

[Belle0101]

When I worked for a vet he routinely advised clients that a baby aspirin was okay for dogs ... not cats though.

I seem to remember though that the dose was based on the weight of the dog. Obviously it wouldn't be safe to give a St. Bernard and a poodle the same dose.

Just to be safe, I'd call the vet on Monday and ask for sure. Given the age and medical history of your poodle he (or she) would be better able to suggest a dose or not suggest it all.

Like you, I just wouldn't feel safe with a whole baby aspirin without checking with the vet first.

 

[Cindy B]

We give our 50 lb Lab one aspirin every day for stiffness. (vet recommendation)

So, 50 lb one aspirin, maybe a 1/4 of one for your dog? Just a rough estimate.

 

[phillybeth]

I should have asked the vet when I was there last week but I didn't. Chelsea, age 14, 5.5 lbs is due to be groomed on Tuesday. The groomer suggested I give her a baby aspirin prior to bringing her in because she is older and a bit stiff. I am concerned about doing this because it seems like a big dose for a little dog. She also has a newly developed asymptomatic heart murmur, which probably wouldn't be impacted but who knows. Any thoughts?

Aspirin dosage for dogs is 10 mg/ pound of body weight. So for a 5 pound dog she can get 50 mg, or about 1/2 of a baby aspirin every 12 hours (it takes longer for dogs to process aspirin than humans, and a baby aspirin is 81 mg).

ETA- the aspirin is not going to affect the heart murmur, if anything it will reduce the chance of a blood clot forming because of the murmur.

 

[puggymom]

My vet has suggested baby aspirin for my pugs

 

[DawnCt1]

Aspirin dosage for dogs is 10 mg/ pound of body weight. So for a 5 pound dog she can get 50 mg, or about 1/2 of a baby aspirin every 12 hours (it takes longer for dogs to process aspirin than humans, and a baby aspirin is 81 mg).

ETA- the aspirin is not going to affect the heart murmur, if anything it will reduce the chance of a blood clot forming because of the murmur.

Thanks for the dosage information. She isn't on any meds for her heart murmur and you are right, the ASA may mitigate any possible clot formation. So far she is symptom free.

 

[pw2pp]

Our Vet recommends BUFFERED Aspirin (such as Bufferin). It is easier on their stomach.

 

[DawnCt1]

Our Vet recommends BUFFERED Aspirin (such as Bufferin). It is easier on their stomach.

I don't think I have seen buffered aspirin in baby aspirin. I have to give a half of a baby aspirin so I think even if I could buy enteric coated, once I split it, it wouldn't be coated anymore.

 

[pw2pp]

I don't think I have seen buffered aspirin in baby aspirin. I have to give a half of a baby aspirin so I think even if I could buy enteric coated, once I split it, it wouldn't be coated anymore.

Oh.... good point Dawn.
I guess he recommended a whole tablet for our dog since she is a Large dog.

 

[Disney Doll]

If you end up giving a regular baby aspirin (not enteric coated) then just give it with food.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I've given my dogs aspirin for years for arthritis, but learned only recently that the buffered aspirin may not be digested because of the coating. So if you're giving a one time dose it will probably be fine to give the non-buffered aspirin. If you're giving it long term you'd have to decide whether to give to buffered or not. Here's an article about it (see 2nd and 4th question):

http://www.vetinfo.com/daspirin.html#Aspirin tolerance