Aspirin Medication in Dogs

Abstract

SummaryAspirin (acetylsalicylic acid; ASA) is widely used in both human and veterinary medicine. Therapeutic plasma salicylate concentrations (PSCs) can be reached using enteric-coated ASA tablets, but a delay in the initial rise and large fluctuations in the PSCs have been reported. From experiments described previously, the authors concluded that the large type enteric-coated ASA tablets were not suitable for use in beagle dogs.In the first experiment described here, these large type tablets were administered to large mongrel dogs. Although the mean PSC reached therapeutic levels after 44 h, in individual dogs subtherapeutic concentrations were frequently recorded. In the second experiment microgranulated type enteric-coated ASA tablets were given to beagle dogs in a crossover design study. PSCs in all dogs exceeded minimal therapeutic levels 6 h after tablet administration. Stable therapeutic PSCs were found in both groups on different feeding regimens. In the third experiment the two types of enteric-coated ASA tablets were administered to fasting beagles. Comparable therapeutic PSCs were reached with both formulations.From the present studies it can be concluded that the large type enteric-coated ASA tablet is not suitable for use in large mongrel dogs. Secondly, it can be concluded that the microgranulated type enteric-coated ASA tablet is suitable for the use in beagle dogs. In the third experiment it was proven that fasting eliminated the differences in mean PSC curves between the two types of ASA medication.On the basis of canine gastric physiology the authors expect similar types of large enteric-coated tablets of other drugs to generate comparably poor plasma concentrations. The gastric evacuation of tablets is primarily related to the tablet dimensions and digestibility, and not to the drug contained by these tablets.