Inflammation
The word “inflammation” may not be very familiar word to you. But you all may know well
about the words that end with suffix –“itis” for example, gastritis, enteritis, dermatitis,
meningitis, hepatitis, arthritis, mastitis. In medical terminology, suffix “-itis” is used to
denote an inflammation somewhere in the body. Dermatitis is the inflammation of “derm”skin. Meningitis is inflammation of meninges.
But most of the time we use this term incorrectly with infection. Infection is invasion of body
or organ by a microbe. The inflammation is the body’s response to injurious agents despite it
is a microbe, chemical, toxin, foreign body or else. Accordingly inflammation is
protective/defense mechanism of body. In other words it is a favorable body reaction to
harmful agents. It is non-specific defense. So the cardinal signs of all inflammatory
conditions are the same.
Those five cardinal signs are
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Pain
Redness
Immobility (loss of function)
Swelling
Heat
Though inflammation is known as favorable body response those five signs are not favorable
to any of human being or animal being. Therefore we all try to get rid of them. The most
important thing that we should never forget is those five signs are the result of self-defensive
mechanism of own body.
But, when the inflammation is uncontrollable, especially when the loss of function can be
fatal (eg: meningitis, pneumonitis) or patient is suffering severely, Veterinary doctor/human
doctor/ dental doctor may decide to prevent the inflammation. Doctors make this decision
after considering many factors using their medical knowledge and take other measures to
protect the body as self-defensive inflammation is forcefully ceased. Anti-inflammatory
drugs are used for this purpose.
Anti-inflammatory Drugs
Most of drugs that are used to relieve pain and fever are anti-inflammatory drugs as those
sign are results of inflammation. There are two main groups of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Those are steroids and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents/Drugs (NSAIA/D).
Examples;
Steroids (block phospholipase)
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Prednisolone
Dexamethasone
Betamethasone
NSAID/NSAIA (blocks Cyclooxygenase)
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Aspirin
Diclifenac
Mefenamic acid
Celecoxib
Meloxicam (Melobest)
Stimulus
Disturbance of cell membrane
Phospholipids
Phospholipase (Steroids)
Arachidonic acid
Lipoxgenase
Cyclooxygenases (NSAID)
Leukotriene
Prostaglandins
Thromboxane
Prostacyclin
Inflammation
Figure1. Inflammation process.
From those drugs; prednisolone, dexamethasone and meloxicam (Melobest) are widely used
in veterinary medicine. Those medicines are available in market in many different brand
names.
We believe now you have some knowledge on inflammation. At the same time now you
know taking anti-inflammatory drugs without prescription is dangerous. Therefore when your
pet is suffering from any ailment;
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Medicine should be taken only from a qualified veterinarian. (be careful, some
workers in Veterinary office treat animals without any medical knowledge putting
your pet in danger)
Do not miss the follow up visit as advised by your veterinarian.
Give medicine for the total period as prescribed only.
Never ask pharmacist for medicines to your dog. (some human medicines are toxic
and fatal to animals)
Never continue with old/previous prescriptions. (Some different diseases have the
same signs but the treatment is totally different)
Why you should follow those guide lines are because your pet is not just an animal but a
member of your family.