Aspirin daily for arthritis?

[cate1124]

Cold weather seems to be seriously exacerbating my 6-year-old Brahma's limp, which she's had for some time and which I believe is arthritis. Half a low-dose aspirin once a day seemed to help during warmer weather. I'm going to bump up to a half-tab twice a day, as I've read up to 1.5 tabs daily is OK. (She takes it readily in a bit of wet cat food.)

However, most aspirin dosing protocols limit the time it should be given to, say, three days. Does anyone use aspirin in a maintenance dose for arthritis? My hen has shown no GI effect with the half-tab; I'll continue to monitor her poop. The option is a vet visit and an RX for meloxicam. My brahma is a big old girl I handle very gently, and since I can't be in with her to monitor her handling (pandemic policies) at the vet's office, I'm not wanting to risk that.

So, does anyone use aspirin daily with an arthritic hen?

 

[EmtheFishLady]

Never given a hen aspirin for any reason before, so I'm afraid I am not much help, but I'll attach the medication guide for aspirin from Plumbs Veterinary Drug Manual. Hope this helps.

 

[cate1124]

Thanks for trying to help. This document doesn't address birds. Those that do offer complicated directions that involve dissolving aspirin in water at a certain ratio. Not much help, given that you're dosing a single bird and don't want the level to depend on how much she drinks. Vets just prescribe meloxicam; they don't know about aspirin.

So, the half-tab low-dose, watching the poop for GI distress, is what I do. (I think I found that on this forum.)

The question is whether anyone has used aspirin on a maintenance or daily basis over an extended time for an arthritic hen.

 

[EmtheFishLady]

Thanks for trying to help. This document doesn't address birds. Those that do offer complicated directions that involve dissolving aspirin in water at a certain ratio. Not much help, given that you're dosing a single bird and don't want the level to depend on how much she drinks. Vets just prescribe meloxicam; they don't know about aspirin.

So, the half-tab low-dose, watching the poop for GI distress, is what I do. (I think I found that on this forum.)

The question is whether anyone has used aspirin on a maintenance or daily basis over an extended time for an arthritic hen.

Yes, plumbs does not have any dosage recommendations for aspirin for birds. I generally take that to mean it is not recommended for them. There are likely other medications that would be more effective and/or safer.

A quick google search gave me this: https://wagwalking.com/bird/condition/arthritis#:~:text=Treatment of Arthritis in Birds&text=NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-,be prescribed by a veterinarian.


You might also try glucosamine?