Recommended pain meds - Page 1

I have a very old (nearly 14 years) GSD rescue. Naturally, he's getting arthritic but he doesn't really complain too much...just slow and stiff (me too). The vet gave me some samples of Rimadyl, which seemed to help him, but I remember people really disliking that stuff, including my last vet. I know it can do stomach damage...but is that actually relevant in a dog that old? Does it do more harm than good? I also know that aspirin is about in the same category.  I've heard a few people mention alternative drugs, one of which is only available in Canada, but can someone here in the US give me a heads-up on my choices? I searched the messageboard but didn't get far. Any experiences/suggestions?

I am also pretty certain it is hard on the kidneys.
Having said that, I don't suppose there are to many actual meds that are not. My old man was on Chondroprotect (generic form of Adequan) and only if he needed it.
Right now I have an older female with a host of problems and issues from over the years, that I have  taken the supplement route on.
She is on two products. Young at Heart and Joint Strong. Both manufactured by Animal Naturals. I get mine from www.showandsport.com since they have good specials and their service has been phenomenal.
A few weeks ago I ran out and the difference was amazing! To me, I truly will say that this is working really good on an arthritic, beat up (cowdog) dog with an autoimmune issue.

Hi there...

I actually used 100 mg Tramadol for a while with my 11 yr old dog. we supplemented Glucosamine and chondroitin too. Perhaps that is something you could look into. It did very well for a while. Best of luck to you and sweet pets for your friend...


Shannan  :)

 
 

I like Derrmax;  have to get from vet but didn't find any gut issures with it and believe me the Samoyeds can be VERY sensitive to med's.  I also like KNOX geletin joint supplement;  a previous chiropractor recommended it for the dogs as well as people and I love it.  Definitely no gut issues with it and some very minimal vit's included in powder.  The geletin supposedly gets between the joints and helps to cushion everything.  Very safe.

Tramadol 50 mg up to three times a day.  Do not use Rimadyl!  It causes kidney failure!

 First of Rimadyl can cause some bad side effects, but helps many many dogs.  Do your homework.  It does not always result in kidney failure.  Dermaxx  too can have side effects, but done with your vet and regular blood work both can really make a difference in a dog's quality of life.  My girl has been on Rimadyl since she was 7 she is now almost 13.  She has no negative side effects with this medication, just a better quality of life. I also use Tramadol in conjunction with the Rimadyl 100mg twice a day now.  She suffers from elbow dysplasia as well as hip dysplasia and is very arthritic.  I also supplement with gluco and chondro.

 If he's just slow and stiff, and not complaining, I would start him of on a high quality salmon oil to help lube up his joints.  If he is itchy or builds up a tolerance to salmon oil, you can switch to a fish body oil.  It really helps.

Give it a couple weeks, and if it doesn't help then go to something more serious, etc.  Some dogs just need a little boost without having to go to something like Rimadyl or other drugs that may be unnecessary.

Let me say this first. There is NO medication, or supplement, or "natural remedy" that taken in the wrong dose could not cause harm. And you ask the pertinent question: What is the quality of life like for this dog vs taking a substance that MIGHT have some adverse effect?

Rimadyl is an excellent drug and for many dogs, works wonders. Like many drugs, both in humans and animals, the drug has the potential to compromise kidney and liver function, and can also affect bleeding. Most common adverse effects are these:

"Adverse reactions may include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dark
or tarry stools, increased water consumption, increased urination, pale gums due to anemia, yellowing of gums, skin or white of the eye due to jaundice, lethargy, incoordination, seizure, or behavioral changes."

None the less, millions of dogs have been treated with this medication (and humans as well) and millions have been helped. I don't care what you give your dog. Tramadol is a pain killer and works very differently than does an anti-inflammatory like Rimadyl. Your dog may be lethargic, not want to eat, be constipated and have other side effects or adverse effects from it, or, as I said above, from any such drug. Aspirin is also a wonder drug, but it too can cause bleeding. So the trick is to know what is possible. Just because the literature says X happened does not mean it WILL happen in any given patient, human or animal.

I have given MANY dogs Rimadyl over the years with excellent results. So don't panic from posts that are incomplete and often ill-informed. The best thing you can do is discuss the problems with your vet, be an informed consumer, understand the potential side or adverse effects of any drug you choose, and monitor the dog carefully. 

For my money, I would personally rather have quality of life than a longer life, and I make that same choice as well with my dogs. When I think I can help an older, arthritic dog, or one having surgery with a drug like Rimadyl, I opt to use it. But as with any medication, I monitor the dog. In old dogs like yours, your vet probably would ask for liver and kidney function blood tests to make sure the dog is as healthy in that regard as possible before prescribing it.

Good luck and do what you can to help the old dog.

Very well said Hodie.

So, OK. The odds are against Rimadyl doing him any harm in the next few months, which heaven knows is likely all he has left. I don't think I'd like to give him any drug for an extended period, but I have to say, from the samples the vet gave me, it did seem to make him more cheerful.

Thanks, all.