Previcox for Dogs: Dosage & Side Effects

If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis or is recovering from surgery, your vet may have prescribed Previcox. Getting the Previcox dosage for dogs right (and knowing which Previcox side effects in dogs to watch for) makes a real difference to how comfortable and safe your dog stays on the medication.

Previcox (its active ingredient is firocoxib) is a prescription anti-inflammatory that eases the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis, and it's one of the more commonly prescribed pain relief options for Australian dogs. Here's what every dog owner should understand before the first tablet.

Key Takeaways

• Previcox (firocoxib) is a prescription-only NSAID used to control pain and inflammation from arthritis and after surgery in dogs.
• The label dose is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight, once daily, but your vet sets the exact amount and tablet size for your dog.
• It comes as scored 57 mg and 227 mg chewable tablets, which can be given with or without food.
• Most dogs tolerate it well; the most common side effects involve the stomach and gut.
• Stop the tablets and call your vet if you notice vomiting, changes in appetite, dark stools, or unusual tiredness.

What Is Previcox and What Does It Treat?

Previcox belongs to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). More specifically, firocoxib is a COX-2 inhibitor, which means it targets the enzyme that drives pain and inflammation while largely sparing the one that helps protect the stomach lining and kidneys.

Vets prescribe it mainly for the ongoing pain of osteoarthritis (the "wear and tear" joint disease common in older and larger dogs), and short-term pain and inflammation after soft-tissue or orthopaedic surgery. 

In Australia, Previcox is a Schedule 4 (prescription-only) medicine registered with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, so it's available only with a script from your vet. The right dose depends on your dog's weight, age and health history, which is exactly what the prescribing process checks.

Previcox Dosage for Dogs

The recommended Previcox dosage for dogs, according to the manufacturer's label, is 5 mg per kilogram of body weight, given once daily. For arthritis, it's used as an ongoing daily dose. After surgery, it's typically given for around three days, sometimes starting about two hours before the procedure.

Previcox comes in two chewable tablet strengths (57 mg and 227 mg), both scored down the middle so they can be split into half-tablet doses. The two sizes are available so your vet can match the dose more closely to your dog's weight.

As a rough guide, a 10 kg dog needs about 50 mg a day, while a 40 kg dog needs roughly 200 mg. Your vet will confirm the precise dose and how to split the tablet, so please don't try to calculate it yourself.

A few dosage points worth knowing:

• With or without food. Previcox can be given either way, so it's easy to pop in with a meal.
• Once a day is enough. Firocoxib has a half-life of about 7.8 hours and is designed for single daily dosing, so there's no need to double up.
• Small dogs. Because of the tablet sizes and scoring, dogs under 5.7 kg (about 12.5 lb) can't be dosed accurately with Previcox, so your vet will suggest an alternative.
• Puppies. Previcox isn't suitable for puppies under seven months, and higher-than-recommended doses in young pups have been linked to serious harm.

If you miss a dose, give it when you remember and then carry on as normal. Never give two at once to catch up. If your dog swallows more than the prescribed amount, ring your vet straight away.

Previcox Side Effects in Dogs

Most dogs handle firocoxib well, but like any NSAID, it isn't free of risk. The most common Previcox side effects in dogs involve the digestive system, and they're usually mild and often appear within the first week. 

Less commonly, NSAIDs can affect the kidneys or liver, and serious reactions, while rare, can occur without much warning. That's why it helps to know the warning signs.

Call your vet and stop the medication if you notice:

• Vomiting, or a drop or change in appetite
• Diarrhoea, or dark, tarry or bloody stools
• Increased drinking or changes in urination
• Yellowing of the gums, skin or eyes (a possible sign of liver trouble)
• Lethargy, wobbliness or changes in behaviour
• Skin redness or scratching

The reassuring part is that most dogs that do react recover well once the drug is stopped and the vet steps in. Spotting changes early is the single most useful thing you can do.

When Previcox Is Safe and When to Check With Your Vet

Previcox is considered safe and effective when it's prescribed for the right dog and given as directed. It isn't the right choice for every dog, though. Tell your vet if your dog has kidney, liver or heart disease, is dehydrated, is pregnant or nursing, or has reacted badly to an NSAID before.

Previcox should not be combined with other NSAIDs (such as meloxicam or carprofen) or with corticosteroids like prednisolone, because stacking these raises the risk of stomach ulcers and other complications. If you're switching from another anti-inflammatory, your vet will build in a washout gap. And because of the small risk of kidney and liver effects, many vets recommend a baseline blood test before starting, plus periodic checks during long-term use.

Getting Previcox for Your Dog

Once your vet has written the script, you don't have to fill it at the clinic. Previcox tablets for dogs are available through The Animal Pharmacy, often at a lower price than a vet clinic, with delivery to your door anywhere in Australia.

If your dog needs a different NSAID, we also stock Metacam for dogs. For long-term joint support alongside pain relief, it's worth asking your vet about a joint supplement for dogs, or reading our guide to natural pain relief for dogs for gentle everyday measures. 

To fill a script or compare prices, choose The Animal Pharmacy and have it delivered straight to your door. Questions about ordering? Call our team on (02) 8599 9759. 

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Always follow your vet's instructions for your individual dog.