Banamine for Dogs Side Effects & Banamine Alternatives

Side Effects Banamine for Dogs & Alternatives
One sunny morning, you wake up to the sight of your dog curled against your bed. It’s just another day for you and your canine companion – or so you thought.

Breakfast comes – your dog didn’t even grab a bite of its favorite snack. You decided to go for a walk only to see your pet move sluggishly. That day, you’ve heard countless groans from your dog – something it never did for ages.

As the worried pet owner that you are, you decided to take your dog to the vet – only to get a Banamine prescription for your exhausted canine. Today isn’t just another day for you and your dog. By now, you might think that Banamine is the only solution – or so you thought.

What is Banamine for Dogs: Is it Safe?

Also known as Flunixin, Banamine is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works wonders in dogs and cats. Like other NSAIDS, Banamine is capable of reducing pain, inflammation, and fever caused by musculoskeletal disorders.

Banamine works by preventing the production of lipid compounds called prostaglandins. Such compounds are responsible for controlling the severity of inflammation in both humans and animals. This results in reduced swelling, pain, redness, and pain linked to tissue damage.

Although Banamine is a generally accepted over-the-counter medicine, most veterinarians rarely recommend this medication for dogs. This is because Banamine is only registered for use in cattle and horses. (Dodman, 2015)

Dosage of Banamine

Typically, there are two ways Banamine can enter a dog’s system – either intravenously (IV) or topically.

For IV doses, 0.25 to 1.2 mg Banamine per pound of your dog’s body weight. Remember to have it every 12 hours for a maximum of three treatment sessions.

If you opt to have it topically ingested, you can mix 3 ml of Banamine with a bottle of Synotic. For such doses, you can directly apply the medicine to the inflamed area two to three times a day.

Albeit its medicinal value, remember that Banamine can potentially harm your pet when taken in large doses. Due to its toxic ingredients, it’s important to consult your local vet first before initiating any Banamine-induced medication. (Dodman, 2015)

Side Effects of Banamine

Since Banamine is seen as a last resort when no other medication seems to work, it is loaded with toxic chemicals that might harm your dog. Below are four of the most common side effects of Banamine on dogs:

• Abdominal pain
• Absence of thirst (also known as adipsia)
• Aggressiveness
• Anorexia and/or weight loss due to lack of appetite
• Bleeding
• Constipation
• Dark stool with bloody streaks (also known as melena)
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Inflammation of the colon (also known as colitis)
• Kidney problems
• Skin reactions
• Stomach ulcers
• Vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin (also known as icterus or jaundice)

Cost of Banamine

For injectable Banamine, its pricing range between $28.99 to $52.99 depending on its volume content. You can choose between 100 ml or 250 ml bottle. (FarmVet, n.d.)

For those looking for topical Banamine, its paste-like formula costs around $27.25 for a 30-gram syringe. (ExpressVet Pharmacy, n.d.)

Where To Buy Banamine For Dogs

You can purchase Banamine here.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Since Banamine is a potent medication by itself, combining it with other NSAIDS can cause extreme side effects on dogs. Albeit harmless, mixing Banamine with aminoglycoside antibiotics and oral blood thinners must also be done with caution. (Wedgewood Pharmacy, n.d.)

Ingredients in Banamine

Curious how scientists were able to formulate Banamine? Every bottle contains the following:

• Flunixin meglumine = 50 mg flunixin)
• edetate disodium
• sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate
• diethanolamine
• propylene glycol
• phenol (used as preservative)
• Hydrochloric acid
• Water (Merck, n.d.)

Banamine Alternatives

Admit it, upon finding out the truth behind Banamine, you might want to think twice before letting your pet ingest even a single drop. Why take the risk when there are alternatives you can use.

“Natural” Banamine

Since commercial Banamine is a synthetic drug, its organic counterpart is starting to gain popularity. According to a 2017 study, Banamine can be sustainably produced via a solvent-free synthesis with boric acid as a catalyst. This results in an eco-friendly yet inexpensive alternative to commercial Banamine. (Yarhosseini, Javanshir, Dolatkhah, & Dekamin, 2017)

Homeopathic Formula

For starters, a homeopathic formula is usually assembled using a homeopathic kit. Since it tends to melt on the gums, it’s ideal not to mix it with dog food.

Some examples of dog-friendly homeopathic formulas are the following:

• Apis Mellifica
• Arnica
• Arsenicum Album
• Borax
• Calendula

Given all the choices you have above, the homeopathic formula isn’t your one-size-fits-all medication. This is why intense research on homeopathic remedies is a must before purchasing one for your canine. (Trupanion, n.d.)

Cannabidiol (CBD) Oil

Derived from hemp, CBD oil is used to treat various health issues in humans, dogs, and other animals. These include anxiety, arthritis, cancer, gastrointestinal issues, and many more.

Many scientists agree on CBD oil’s ability to interact with endocannabinoid receptors in the peripheral and central nervous systems. This interaction results in a healthy and well-balanced body. Contrary to conventional Banamine, CBD oil has little to no side effects.

Regardless of its scientific explanation still under the works, anecdotal evidence from dog owners guarantee its effectivity. This makes CBD oil one of the most raved products among health-conscious dog owners. (Kriss, 2019)

If you’re one of those pet owners who want fast yet long-lasting results for your troubled canine, then CBD oil might be the answer you’re looking for.

References

Dodman, N. (2015, July 16). Flunixin (Banamine) for Dogs and Cats. Retrieved from Pet Place: https://www.petplace.com/article/drug-library/drug-library/library/flunixin-banamine-for-dogs-and-cats/

ExpressVet Pharmacy. (n.d.). Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) 1500 mg Paste, 30 g tube. Retrieved from ExpressVet Pharmacy: https://expressvet.pharmacy/product/banamine-paste/

FarmVet. (n.d.). Banamine Injectible. Retrieved from FarmVet: https://www.farmvet.com/Banamine-Injectable?quantity=1&custcol_pharmacy_attribute=177

Kriss, R. (2019, February 5). CBD Oil for Dogs: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from AKC Pet Insurance: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-dogs/

Merck. (n.d.). Banamine Injectible. Retrieved from Santa Cruz Animal Health: https://www.scahealth.com/p/banamine-injectable

Trupanion. (n.d.). A Guide to Complete Homeopathy. Retrieved from Trupanion: https://trupanion.com/pet-care/homeopathy-for-pets

Trupanion. (n.d.). A Pet Owners Guide to Homeopathy Therapy. Retrieved from A Complete Guide to Homeopathy: https://trupanion.com/pet-care/homeopathy-for-pets

Wedgewood Pharmacy. (n.d.). Flunixin Meglumine for Horses. Retrieved from Wedgewood Pharmacy: https://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/learning-center/medication-information-for-pet-and-horse-owners/flunixin-meglumine-for-horses.html

Yarhosseini, M., Javanshir, S., Dolatkhah, Z., & Dekamin, M. G. (2017, December 1). An improved solvent-free synthesis of flunixin and 2-(arylamino) nicotinic acid derivatives using boric acid as catalyst. Retrieved from Chemistry Central Journal.