Arthritis - Page 1

Do any of you out there have any knowledge on the drug of choice Previcox. Good of bad - mostly good - because I can scare easy. I have a 4 1/2 GSD that comes from a world class kennel (my second dog from them). Is not a jumper/kong player - leads a wonderful life of running with me 2 miles a day -and is an indoor dog, lots of love and is an only child. Last week after ball playing in the basement(throwing a ball against a box and he would stop short to get it - because it was icy out - he acted like he had a pulled muscle (sprain or strain) took him to the vet because he was slow to get up in the rear - I was freaking thinking mylopathy etc..........she took x-rays - no trauma to vertebrae of hips - hips in sockets - she ok'd to travel with us for x-mas.......just rest. Within 5 days noticed it was shifting to the front - I knew he was to old for pano - but was thinking Lymes disease(tested neg) all lab values were excellant and normal...........anyway she found some edema in the hocks and put him on an anti and Previcox for Arthritis (said it may be - he is tolerating the meds nicely and is 90% better - happy, alert wants to play etc..........I am wondering if anyone has experience symptoms similar or about Previcox. Thank you for any imput in advance. Forgot to say that he continued to have a healthy appetite and drank water normal. No temp.

I dont know anything about that drug, but I do know its been said that fish oil and salmon oil are supposed to help with arthritis and joints. Sorry I cant be of more help.

Previcox, like Rimadyl, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for canines. Like ALL medications, one must be judicious with the use of such drugs. Making sure that the dog gets only appropriate exercise, is kept lean and is not doing what caused the original injury (at least for the time being) should help a lot. These drugs are good drugs and can do wonders for many animals. Rarely, some dogs who have liver or kidney problems can have adverse effects. I have used these drugs many times without issue as have many of my clients. Just be careful that the previcox does not make the dog feel so good that it aggravates the original injury. Aspirin could also have been used, but may or may not have been as efficacious. I think you have nothing to worry about and it seems your vet has been prudent in checking for the original cause. Good luck.

As an FYI, pano has been documented in puppies as young as 2 months and as old as 5, per the 5 Minute Vet Consult.... have had a dog almost 3 1/2years old with it... Are now fighting some arthritic changes in that same dog, he is 9 1/2, found prolonged use of Deramaxx and Metacam (at separate times and with Prilosec, Tagemet, Carafate) to have pretty nasty side effects, to the GI tract.... have taken some other routes.. Yup, feeling too good with an injury can be a bad thing..... should still be resting Good luck

Thanks you guys for your help - if you come up with any other information for me - please post it. Dkiah - I appreciate being corrected on the pano - I did not know it could stike older dogs.........Also, do you know about Hips Dysplasia - I have owned 5 GSDs and have never had to deal with it - but I am going to the U of M on Wed...............to have him checked out again - because I am a overly cautious person - but should I have his hips xrayed again? As you hear all the time - none of the litter mates have it - none of the parents or grandparents were diagnosed with it - all OFAed excellant (but that does not guarentee right?) It is so wierd how he was slow to get up in the rear? And still sometimes will do it.