The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now offering a brochure for veterinarians to give to their clients who are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for their dogs. Approved NSAIDs in the United States include: EtoGesic (etodolac), Rimadyl (carprofen), Metacam (meloxicam), Deramaxx (deracoxib), Previcox (firocoxib), Zubrin (tepoxalin) and Novox (carprofen). And though aspirin is available without a prescription, it's important to note that it is also in this class of drugs.

The brochure stresses both the benefits of these drugs and the risks, and is available for free on the FDA's Web site at www.fda.gov.