Aspirin has been used to treat pain and arthritis in veterinary medicine, primarily in dogs, although it is often not recommended for this purpose, as there are newer medications available with fewer side effects in these animals. Dogs, for example, are particularly susceptible to the gastrointestinal side effects associated with salicylates. Horses have also been given aspirin for pain relief, although it is not commonly used owing to its relatively short-lived analgesic effects. Horses are also fairly sensitive to the gastrointestinal side effects. Nevertheless, it has shown promise in its use as an anticoagulant, mostly in cases of laminitis. Aspirin should only be used in animals under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Aspirin should never be given to cats because they lack the ability to form glucuronide conjugates, which makes it more likely that aspirin will be toxic. Toxicity may be reduced by administering dosages at longer intervals.