ANALGESICS - THE USE OF A ASPIRIN IN THE DOG - INFLUENCES OF TABLET TYPE AND FEEDING REGIMEN ON THE PLASMA SALICYLATE CONCENTRATION

Administration of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in the dog may cause gazstric mucosal damage. Enteric-coated tablets protect the canine sto mach during oral aspirin medication. A therapeutic plasma salicylate c oncentration can be attained using enteric-coated aspirin tablets at a dosage of 25 mg/kg TID. In a series 4 of experiments using adult beag le and large mixed breed dogs and two types enteric-coated tablets, th e influence of food intake on the plasma salicylate concentration was studied. Tablets were administered with 8h intervals and food intake w as either once daily or three time daily with 8h intervals. Plasma sal icylate concentrations were also studied during fasting. It is conclud ed that, when using enteric-coated tablets, the plasma salicylate conc entration in the dog after oral medication is strongly influenced by t he aspirin dosage, the tablet type and the feeding pattern. Large ente ric-coated tablets may accumulate in the stomach over several days and are not suitable for use in the dog. The gastric accumulation is caus ed by the enteric-coating of the large tablets and not by the aspirin medication.