Onsior Dog tablets | Onsior for Cats | Onsior Side Effects

What is Onsior?

Onsior contains the drug robenacoxib which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for use in cats and dogs. It is available as Onsior 5mg, Onsior 10mg, Onsior 20mg and Onsior 40mg for dogs. The tablets have a  yeast and beef flavour and are easy to give.  There is Onsior 6mg for cats, which is just yeast flavoured.

What is Onsior used for?

Onsior is mainly used for the treatment of arthritis (osteoarthritis). It reduces pain, inflammation and joint stiffness and can be used for long periods in dogs. In cats it is not licensed for long-term use, but might be prescribed this way after careful assessment by the veterinary surgeon. Onsior can be used to treat pain and inflammation from different causes and it also reduces body temperature where there is a fever.

What are the Onsior Side Effects?

Mild diarrhoea or vomiting are the main side effects with Onsior. These usually settle quickly, but you should stop giving Onsior and contact your vet if this happens.  The vast majority of patients show no sign of trouble, even if accidentally given a significant overdose. Some individual animals however seem to be exceptionally prone to side effects from drugs like Onsior. All drugs of this type have the potential to cause serious kidney damage, gut ulceration and perhaps liver damage. Onsior is less likely to do this than most other drugs in this group because of its high selectivity for the target enzyme associated with pain, inflammation and fever. (Onsior is classed as a highly COX-2 selective inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase enzyme,  involved in the formation of prostaglandin E2.) However there are certain situations where its use would not be recommended. These are mainly associated with dehydrated patients, or those with pre-existing damage to the liver, kidney or gut lining. Ideally your vet will perform blood tests before using Onsior in old or poorly patients, and repeat these periodically if treatment is continued long-term. Onsior should not be given with other similar drugs (NSAIDs or steroids). Its use along with other medications, (such as for heart disease) should be carefully assessed by your vet beforehand. Whenever the use of a drug which is known sometimes to be associated with side effects is being considered, the veterinary surgeon and owner should balance the potential benefits against any possible side effects. Osteoarthritis is a common condition resulting in a significant reduction in quality of life. Pain and stiffness show as a reluctance to exercise, which can be interpreted by owners as "getting old" or "lazy". Onsior is one of the most effective treatments available. There are medications which have fewer side effects, but they are usually much less effective as treatments too. Providing relief from these symptoms can result in a much more active and "happier" individual. Careful, monitored use of Onsior can therefore provide a very significant contribution to improved quality of life for dogs and cats.

Where can I buy Onsior?

Most people will buy their first course of Onsior from their local vet. This makes sense because it is easy and the results can be assessed over the period of this course. Afterwards, it is possible to continue to buy Onsior from the vet, but usually significantly cheaper to buy online. Onsior is available from Viovet.co.uk, the major online supplier of veterinary medication, premium diets and quality pet care products.