Blood-Mucus Stools Rimadyl side effects OR? - Page 1

Early last week my 4 yr old dog started limping and seemed to have sprained his front leg or something in play with his dog friend. Could not find anywhere or anything on the leg or paw that seemed to be the issue. Took him in for a vet exam and Vet didn't locate the problem either exactly but said it seemed a muscle high in the leg above the elbow and He perscribed Rimadyl for 5 days, 75mg x2 daily.

After 4.5 days of this Rimadyl treatment, I was surprised with a floor of bright red blood and thick mucus and also urine in the morning. Guess the "diareah" was so strong that he couldn't hold his bladder either. (Vet did not do bloodwork or check liver functions before prescribing the Rimadyl).

I fed him lightly that morning while waiting for vets office to open and had the same, almost immediatly results again with the bloody diareah. Vet said stop Rimadyl immediatly when I got to speak with him that day. He said to fast the dog 24 hours and see if it helped and just give him broth after the 24 hours and see how he does. It has NOT worked. The dog has been fasting now for 5 days. I've tried some broth 2 of the 4 days since with the same results, but much less blood and mess (due to volumn of eating). I'm Not sure if it's stopping the Rimadyl or just no foods. Vet put him on antibiotics since first day of bloody diareah, Amoxiphilin, 250 x2. After 3 days he ordered $200.00 of bloodwork and changed prescription to 250 mg ofMethonidazole (sp) 3 x's daily, Pepcid 2x daily and FortiFlora 1x daily until lab work comes back.

Lab work should be back today but meanwhile, anyone have opinions on if this was the result OF the Rimadyl, or just brought on BY the Rimadyl? Or, if you have a simular experience with fresh blood or mixed with a mucus type diareah? Is this something totally different than the side effects of the Rimadyl? He does have a fever of 103.2-103.5, I'm watching that. I'm going to try giving him a little broth again this morning I guess til I hear from vet on labwork, there were no surprise messes during the night and I'll check his temp here in awhile. Oh, and this may seem wierd, but it seems to me his lips and nose are like ice, seem very cold for being indoors and keeping him comfortable as possible, but vet says there is no symtom like that.

I could easily be wrong, but  feel there is more than the side effects of Rymadyl here. I am glad that your veterinarian has ordered the bloodwork scheme and should do a fecal analysis as well. I have used Rymadyl in the past, and I am sure that I will someday use it again but I do not like to. This steroid is quite hard on the internal organs. I have never endured diarroeha, bloody or otherwise.

My suggestion? Find Hodie or Louise M. Penery on this message board and send either or both of them a private message. Both ladies are well-versed and very experienced in canine medical issues. I presume this dog is current on all necessary vaccinations, intestinal parasite prevention, etc.

Good Luck,

Bob-O

TRUgsds, I took the liberty of sending a PM to both Louise and Hodie. I know they can provide excellent advice.

Regards,

Bob-O

 Hello,

You do not say how old the dog is. It is always difficult to suggest what might be going on in such a case, but I agree with Bob-O that something else is going on. I am concerned the dog has a fever. That is a sign of infection or inflammation somewhere in the body.

 Giardia or other parasites could cause the diarrhea you describe and it can be primary or a response to stress of some other medical issue going on in the dog. Presumptively, yes, putting the dog on Metronidazole immediately would be the thing I would do.

I have a lot of experience with Rimadyl and while it is like human non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, and could cause some bleeding, it would be more common that the blood was from the stomach and therefore already oxidized by the time it is eliminated. That would mean it would NOT be bright red, but rather would be tarry consistency and black. So my gut sense is that the Rimadyl is likely not the culprit and it is a very good drug when used appropriately. There are several parasites or bacterial infections that might result in the diarrhea you describe. Lab tests will confirm the liver and kidney function.

As an aside, do you live in an area where your dog could have been bitten by a tick? I just had a client whose dog was a little lackluster in coat, kept coming up with a subtle limp which did not seem serious and would come and go, and while being boarded here, I saw stool suggestive of giardia. The dog was treated for that as above, but also tested for tick borne disease and indeed the dog tested positive for Lymes. About one year ago, the dog was in a tick infested area back east and it is presumed was then bitten.

It is important to try to get a definitive diagnosis. Certainly if you do not begin to see a real improvement in a day or two with metronidazole, then looking for an alternative reason for bleeding is prudent. Personally, I have no qualms about using Rimadyl and find it efficacious for certain things. Like ALL meds, it should be used judiciously. The dose of metronidazole is normally 500mg twice a day, or a little higher, for an adult GSD. The amoxicillan dose also seems low to me. Certainly a good antibiotic like this is prudent given the fever. I would also consider having an x-ray done to make sure there is no foreign body obstructing the intestinal tract.

Good luck.

Are the dog's gums nice and pink?  Do you have any rat poison around?

I think it is not all related to the rimadyl.  Laboradors have more trouble with rimadyl than anyother breed!  Rimadyl can affect liver functions if the dog is kept on it for a long long time.

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

 Sorry, I see you DID say the dog is 4 years old. So again, doses do seem a little low. But it does appear your vet is making prudent choices on pursing a course of treatment, even though it is empirical at the moment.

Rimadyl would never be my personal choice of anti-inflammatories. I worry about the risk of hepatotoxicity. However, I do not believe Rimadyl caused his diarrhea or fever. Hemorrhagic gastro-enteritis is more typical of ingesting ipbuprofen.

it seems to me his lips and nose are like ice, seem very cold  What color are his mucous membranes (on non-pigmented areas of the gums or the sclera of the eyes. I'd wonder how much blood the dog has lost and about his packed cell volume.

Do you have any rat poison around? I'm not concerned about this. If the dog were bleeding due to rat poisoning, he would likely be having respiratory problems and vomiting blood at this stage.

If he were my dog, I would want to totally withhold all food and water and have him on IV fluids (preferable 5-10% dextose in Lactated Ringer's solution)--pending further diagnostics. If he were give anything by mouth, Tylan powder would be my choice--perhaps mixed with some bentonite powder dissolved in water and syringed into the mouth.

Otherwise, mix the Tylan powder with a barium suspension (side effect is constipation) and dose via syringe, This was a cocktail that my old vet used years ago.

As for parasites, hookworm comes to mind.

Furthermore, I would want a barium swollow for contrast radiographs to determine is there is a partial obstruction.

Bob-O, Rimadyl is a non steroidal ;)

Have you taken his temperature lately?  Has he seemed interested in the broth?  Does he seem hungry for food at all?  Hodie and Louise give excellent advice, let us know how your boy is doing!

Google Rimadyl and you will find there are other side effects besides liver or kidney problems..

I have posted many times...my dog died of Rimadyl poisoning in '04.  He vomited the mucusy stuff, pooped it  and his stomache filled with a pink fluid which eventually filled his lungs with lead to me having to put him to sleep.  All because of a little arthritis in his one hip.  If I'd have googled it I would have NEVER put him on it.

They did a necropsy because they couldn't figure out why it happened and found it to be Rimadyl poisoning-they sent it to Pfizer which confirmed it and they paid for all my medical bills. 

I look back now and see so many signs and if I'd have stopped he'd be here now.......I am praying that you stopped in time-

I hope he pulls thru-maybe it wasn't from the Rimadyl but I am so glad to hear of a vet that told you to stop.....

I will pray for you and your dog...good luck

I'l like to add that we did the blood work while on Rimadyl and his liver and kidneys were fine the whole time....

I will NEVER give or advise to give Rimadyl to a dog again-it worked miracles until it killed him.   There are too many other safe ways to help with pain.

I do hope its just an infection and they can find it and help you...................