Rimadyl (carprofen)
Rimadyl (carprofen) is a long-established, widely prescribed canine NSAID with an extensive clinical track record for osteoarthritis and postoperative pain control. It holds a leading position because of broad veterinary familiarity and widespread generic availability, which often makes it more cost-effective than newer, branded COX-2 selective options while remaining a reliable first-line choice in many practices.
Powerful pain relief
Improves mobility
Powerful pain relief
Improves mobility
Review Summary
"Owners generally report strong, reliable pain relief for arthritis and post-surgical pain with Rimadyl; most dogs tolerate it well though a minority experience gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, or rare liver/kidney issues. Overall users praise its effectiveness but advise monitoring for side effects and periodic bloodwork for long-term use."
Tail-wagging favorite
COX-2 preferential NSAID commonly used for long-term management of canine osteoarthritis.
Tail-wagging favorite
COX-2 preferential NSAID commonly used for long-term management of canine osteoarthritis.
Time-Saving Convenience
Rimadyl (carprofen) is a long-established, widely prescribed canine NSAID with an extensive clinical track record for osteoarthritis and postoperative pain control. It holds a leading position because of broad veterinary familiarity and widespread generic availability, which often makes it more cost-effective than newer, branded COX-2 selective options while remaining a reliable first-line choice in many practices.
Powerful pain relief
Improves mobility
Tail-wagging favorite
COX-2 preferential NSAID commonly used for long-term management of canine osteoarthritis.
Available as chewable tablets with once- or twice-daily dosing depending on weight and formulation.
Powerful pain relief
Improves mobility
Tail-wagging favorite
COX-2 preferential NSAID commonly used for long-term management of canine osteoarthritis.
Available as chewable tablets with once- or twice-daily dosing depending on weight and formulation.
$50-150 CAD
Metacam Oral Suspension (meloxicam)
Metacam Oral Suspension (meloxicam) is a once-daily liquid NSAID favored for chronic management of canine osteoarthritis because its concentrated suspension allows precise, weight-based dosing for small or difficult-to-medicate dogs. Compared with chewable tablets like Rimadyl or Deramaxx, Metacam’s formulation can reduce dosing waste and provide economic advantages over time for long-term therapy, while delivering a well-understood efficacy and safety profile.
Gentle anti-inflammatory
Liquid oral ease
Gentle anti-inflammatory
Liquid oral ease
Review Summary
"Metacam oral suspension is widely praised for reducing chronic pain and inflammation and is favored for its easy-to-administer liquid form; some reviewers note stomach upset or appetite changes in a small percentage of dogs with prolonged use. Owners appreciate the dosing precision but often recommend vet follow-up and blood tests for long-term therapy."
Once-daily saver
Meloxicam oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing, useful for small or pill-averse dogs.
Once-daily saver
Meloxicam oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing, useful for small or pill-averse dogs.
Time-Saving Convenience
Metacam Oral Suspension (meloxicam) is a once-daily liquid NSAID favored for chronic management of canine osteoarthritis because its concentrated suspension allows precise, weight-based dosing for small or difficult-to-medicate dogs. Compared with chewable tablets like Rimadyl or Deramaxx, Metacam’s formulation can reduce dosing waste and provide economic advantages over time for long-term therapy, while delivering a well-understood efficacy and safety profile.
Gentle anti-inflammatory
Liquid oral ease
Once-daily saver
Meloxicam oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing, useful for small or pill-averse dogs.
Effective for pain and inflammation control with once-daily dosing after an initial dose as directed.
Gentle anti-inflammatory
Liquid oral ease
Once-daily saver
Meloxicam oral suspension allows precise weight-based dosing, useful for small or pill-averse dogs.
Effective for pain and inflammation control with once-daily dosing after an initial dose as directed.
$40-120 CAD
Deramaxx (deracoxib)
Deramaxx (deracoxib) is a COX-2–preferential chewable NSAID developed to provide potent analgesia for postoperative pain and osteoarthritis, with palatable tablets that support owner compliance. It occupies a market-leading niche by combining strong COX-2 targeting comparable to firocoxib with a mid-range price point, making it an attractive practical choice when targeted COX-2 inhibition is desired without the premium cost of some newer or specialist products.
COX-2 targeted relief
Long-lasting control
COX-2 targeted relief
Long-lasting control
Review Summary
"Deramaxx is commonly reported to provide effective control of orthopedic pain and post-op discomfort, with many owners seeing quick improvement; however a noticeable subset report gastrointestinal side effects or changes in behavior and recommend cautious use in older or medically complex dogs. Most users find it highly effective but emphasize vet supervision and monitoring."
Meal-time friendly
COX-2 selective NSAID formulated for postoperative pain and osteoarthritis management in dogs.
Meal-time friendly
COX-2 selective NSAID formulated for postoperative pain and osteoarthritis management in dogs.
Time-Saving Convenience
Deramaxx (deracoxib) is a COX-2–preferential chewable NSAID developed to provide potent analgesia for postoperative pain and osteoarthritis, with palatable tablets that support owner compliance. It occupies a market-leading niche by combining strong COX-2 targeting comparable to firocoxib with a mid-range price point, making it an attractive practical choice when targeted COX-2 inhibition is desired without the premium cost of some newer or specialist products.
COX-2 targeted relief
Long-lasting control
Meal-time friendly
COX-2 selective NSAID formulated for postoperative pain and osteoarthritis management in dogs.
Typically given once daily with food; tablet strengths cover a broad weight range.
COX-2 targeted relief
Long-lasting control
Meal-time friendly
COX-2 selective NSAID formulated for postoperative pain and osteoarthritis management in dogs.
Typically given once daily with food; tablet strengths cover a broad weight range.
$70-180 CAD
Previcox (firocoxib)
Previcox (firocoxib) is a highly COX-2 selective NSAID commonly used for once-daily management of canine osteoarthritis, known for its predictable dosing and favorable long-term safety profile. As a market leader for COX-2–specific therapy, Previcox competes by offering reliable efficacy combined with strong value where generics are available, often undercutting the cost of some branded short-term or perioperative options while maintaining a focused COX-2 benefit.
Fast joint relief
Chewable palatable
Fast joint relief
Chewable palatable
Review Summary
"Previcox (firocoxib) is often rated as well tolerated and effective for long-term osteoarthritis management, with many owners noticing improved mobility and few reported GI problems thanks to its COX-2 selectivity. Reviewers commonly cite good safety and tolerability, making it a frequent choice for chronic use under veterinary guidance."
Stable daily rhythm
Highly COX-2 selective NSAID indicated for osteoarthritis pain control in dogs with once-daily dosing.
Stable daily rhythm
Highly COX-2 selective NSAID indicated for osteoarthritis pain control in dogs with once-daily dosing.
Time-Saving Convenience
Previcox (firocoxib) is a highly COX-2 selective NSAID commonly used for once-daily management of canine osteoarthritis, known for its predictable dosing and favorable long-term safety profile. As a market leader for COX-2–specific therapy, Previcox competes by offering reliable efficacy combined with strong value where generics are available, often undercutting the cost of some branded short-term or perioperative options while maintaining a focused COX-2 benefit.
Fast joint relief
Chewable palatable
Stable daily rhythm
Highly COX-2 selective NSAID indicated for osteoarthritis pain control in dogs with once-daily dosing.
Available in tablet form in multiple strengths for accurate weight-based dosing.
Fast joint relief
Chewable palatable
Stable daily rhythm
Highly COX-2 selective NSAID indicated for osteoarthritis pain control in dogs with once-daily dosing.
Available in tablet form in multiple strengths for accurate weight-based dosing.
$60-150 CAD
Onsior (robenacoxib)
Onsior (robenacoxib) is a newer, highly COX-2 selective NSAID formulated for short-term perioperative and acute musculoskeletal pain in dogs, available in both injectable and oral forms for flexible protocols and rapid onset. Its technical advantage is tissue-targeted, short-duration therapy that can limit systemic exposure compared with chronic-use NSAIDs, but it is frequently positioned as a specialist, premium-priced option relative to longer-established, economy-focused products.
Short-course control
Rapid onset
Short-course control
Rapid onset
Review Summary
"Onsior is praised for effective, short-term pain relief with generally good tolerability and a lower incidence of GI upset in many dogs; some users caution about potential side effects with extended use and stress following dosing instructions closely. Most users report positive results, particularly for acute pain management, while recommending veterinary monitoring for prolonged courses."
Post-op specialist
Short-acting, COX-2 selective NSAID approved for perioperative pain control in dogs with short treatment courses.
Post-op specialist
Short-acting, COX-2 selective NSAID approved for perioperative pain control in dogs with short treatment courses.
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
Onsior (robenacoxib) is a newer, highly COX-2 selective NSAID formulated for short-term perioperative and acute musculoskeletal pain in dogs, available in both injectable and oral forms for flexible protocols and rapid onset. Its technical advantage is tissue-targeted, short-duration therapy that can limit systemic exposure compared with chronic-use NSAIDs, but it is frequently positioned as a specialist, premium-priced option relative to longer-established, economy-focused products.
Short-course control
Rapid onset
Post-op specialist
Short-acting, COX-2 selective NSAID approved for perioperative pain control in dogs with short treatment courses.
Usually administered once daily for a limited duration (commonly 3 days post-op) under veterinary direction.
Short-course control
Rapid onset
Post-op specialist
Short-acting, COX-2 selective NSAID approved for perioperative pain control in dogs with short treatment courses.
Usually administered once daily for a limited duration (commonly 3 days post-op) under veterinary direction.
$60-160 CAD