This retrospective study analyzed patient files of dogs presented for arthritic lameness at the Small Animal Clinic of Freie Universität Berlin from January 2010 to August 2015. The focus was on lameness involving carpal, elbow, shoulder, tarsal, stifle, and/or hip joints. The study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse effects of commonly used anti-inflammatory agents: Rimadyl®, Previcox®, Cimalgex® plus Gabapentin®, Phen-Pred®, Metacam®, Novaminsulfon®, and Trocoxil®. Results indicated no significant differences in efficacy or adverse effects among the analgesics. Overall, 48.2% of cases showed a one-degree improvement in function, 18.2% a two-degree improvement, and 4% a three-degree improvement. Notably, 85% of patients treated with the initial medication experienced no adverse effects. However, when a second analgesic was introduced, the adverse effect rate nearly doubled to 28.9%. Only one patient showed adverse effects when a third medication was used, with all noted effects primarily affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Previcox® exhibited the lowest adverse effect tendency, while Phen-Pred® had the highest. A significant increase in adverse events occurred when combined with the antacid Omeprazol®. No group was significantly more effective for individual joints, though Previcox® showed a trend towards higher efficacy for hip pain (p = 0.054) compared to other medications or the Cimalgex® plus Gabapentin® combinat
