peaceful or drugs

2202 Views 19 Replies 11 Participants Last post by JeanKBBMMMAAN, Jul 1, 2008

shazza35au

Discussion Starter · Jun 29, 2008

hi eveyone im new to here , im the proud owner of a beautiful german shepherd female named shyann who is 11 1/2 yrs old my beautiful baby is suffering hip displasis i took her to the vet who gave her a needle to ease the pain and told me she needs to be on this drugs to ease her pain , my question is should i keep her on this drug or ease her pain and suffering because of her age

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arycrest

· #2 · Jun 29, 2008

If Shyann is in pain and it can be controlled by medication, then I think you should give her whatever medication is recommended by your vet. Also you don't mention if she's taking any joint supplements, but one may also help her in addition to the pain meds.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Lauri & The Gang

· #3 · Jun 29, 2008

I'd first want to know WHAT the vet was giving my dog. Certain medications are better then others - as in less side effects.

If the drug helps and Shyann seems to still be enjoying life I'd say go with the drug.

Peet

· #4 · Jun 29, 2008

I totally agree with Laury, what is the vet injecting her with?
Of course, if it's a painkiller with a minimum of side-effects, that's fine.

But sometimes, you can get similar results with non-chemical (natural) remedies, like glucosamine and salmon oil.

maximusII

· #5 · Jun 29, 2008

I sit here looking at the collar of one of my Moms dogs that at 12 years old was having a difficult time even getting off the floor. She was a trooper and lived a very full life but when we would go walking she got to the point of just laying down for 20 minutes and whimpered in pain from hip problems. I have been in the position of dealing with this not only with dogs but horses and other pets over the years and I just have to tell you to go with your heart on the matter. In the case of my Moms dog the fact of living in pain and lack of mobility was more painful than the memories of the life she lived and the times we shared. I held her while the nurse injected her and she passed. I love the dog, so taking the pain away is what it came down to for my Mother and myself. I still have her collar to remind me of the beauty created by a wonderful animal, you can't take my memories of her.

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middleofnowhere

· #6 · Jun 29, 2008

I share my home with a 13 yo and a 10 yo GSD.
If the drugs work - even rimadyl or derramax - use them. Use them carefully but if they work .... There's a world of difference between loading a young dog on a drug with potential to cause organ damage and loading an old dog with the same drug. Realistically, the older dog has perhaps 4 years more to live. If you can give 3 years with significantly less pain and have the dog only live those 3 years, I think it is worth it to have the dog relatively pain free for 3 years. As long as I can keep them relatively comfortable and happy, I will. Considering ending their lives while this is still possible - that's not in my picture.

In a young dog, I would be more hesitant, I would monitor the drugs effects more closely but if there were no other alternative to alleviate the pain, they'd get the drugs.

elsie

· #7 · Jun 29, 2008

i agree with mid

shazza35au

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 30, 2008

the vet gave her a needle and then a drug called metacam which has a few side affects she told me that 50 % works on the animals but it takes awhile for it to take affect .this drug has to be put in soft food , i don't like the side affects of this drug .

Peet

· #9 · Jun 30, 2008

Metacam is a very well known pain-killer. However, it doesn't do anything else, it just relieves the pain. So, if she doesn't react strange to it, use it. If she does have reaction to it (describe it, please), ask your vet for another kind of painkiller.

Have you tried glucosamine and fish-oil?

Brightelf

· #10 · Jun 30, 2008

2

What side-effects are you noticing? If none so far, please do not be scared by the "possible" side effects. You are doing the right thing!

Metacam, Darramax, even Rimadyl-- can be a BLESSING, giving your dog YEARS of pain-free life again. Possible side-effects? Yes... possible... but an ouch-y dog already has a "side-effect"-- chronic, intense pain. You don't know if the potential side effects may shorten your dog's life, but you know the chronic pain would without meds.

When I gave my dog the Rimadyl, everyone had just read the sensational internet warnings about the side-effects. Know what? In 4 day, my limping, groaning, "ancient" GSD was bouncing wildly around the house, demanding that we play ball! He wanted to run, play, and bounce outside, too. I actually called the vet to ask if Rimadyl had a stimulant in it.

My old GSD got 3 extra years out of Rimadyl.. 3 pain-free years!! He passed of something other than side-effects. Three happy, bouncy years that I never would have thought possible.

Please-- if metacam does not work, try Derramax. Or Rimadyl! You may find your own dog bouncing again! Good luck to you and your dog.

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arycrest

· #11 · Jun 30, 2008

Originally Posted By: shy's mummythe vet gave her a needle and then a drug called metacam which has a few side affects she told me that 50 % works on the animals but it takes awhile for it to take affect .this drug has to be put in soft food , i don't like the side affects of this drug .

For what it's worth, at one time I had three elderly Hooligans taking Metacam Oral Suspension and Tramadol with no adverse side effects. Now Honey, 13, is the only one taking it (Ringer took Metacam daily for a couple years before he passed away in May and Kel, 12-1/2, was taken off Metacam and put on Winstrol (Stanozolol), an anabolic steriod last week). But to me the benefits of the drug far outweigh the potential side effects.
http://www.metacam.us/index.lasso?page=faq&GUI=gui_1

As mentioned by another poster, if you notice a side effect adversley affecting your girl, there are other drugs on the market she can take.

Heidigsd

· #12 · Jun 30, 2008

Heidi has been on Metacam & Tramadol now for over a year for her arthritis. She is 13 years old and there is no way I would let her be in pain when there are so many pain relievers available now.

Metacam is a NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and it controls pain and inflammation. What about Adequan, did the vet mention it to you? Heidi has been getting adequan injections for ten years now without problems.
http://www.adequancanine.us/

Michaela

shazza35au

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 1, 2008

yes i had her on that the vet told me people should give human tablets like that to anaimals as it cause alot of problems she was very upset i had shyann on it

middleofnowhere

· #14 · Jul 1, 2008

If you are referring to the glucosomine/chondriton/msg/hyrolyic ? acid supplements, I think your vet is all wet on this count. The problem with these supplements is that they are unregulated. So are the ones the vet sells you that are marketed to dogs.

arycrest

· #15 · Jul 1, 2008

Originally Posted By: middleofnowhereIf you are referring to the glucosomine/chondriton/msg/hyrolyic ? acid supplements, I think your vet is all wet on this count. The problem with these supplements is that they are unregulated. So are the ones the vet sells you that are marketed to dogs.

That surprised me too, especially since glucosomine is a horse supplement that migrated over to usage by dogs and humans quite a few years ago.

My vet claims Dasuquin and Cosequin are regulated by the manufacturer, but I honestly couldn't tell the difference when using them versus using other OTC joint supplements on the maket. I still use Dasuquin with MSM but it wouldn't give me heartburn to change it if I had to (it's not that expensive, $65 for 150, and I only have to give 1 tablet a day which makes it convenient).

Brightelf

· #16 · Jul 1, 2008

Buy some Cosequin for her-- your vet is not correct. (unless, you gave her human glucosamine/chrondroitin.. these are only partially helpful, and waste your money, as the dog cannot absorb all the med due to a molecular weight unsuited for a dog to absorb them. TONS of people go to SamsClub, Walmart, Costco and use human glucosamine/chrondroitin... sadly, the dog only absorbs a small amount of what they are paying for. ) Buy her some Cosequin and see her improve!

Yogi's Mom

· #17 · Jul 1, 2008

Originally Posted By: BrightelfBuy some Cosequin for her-- your vet is not correct. (unless, you gave her human glucosamine/chrondroitin.. these are only partially helpful, and waste your money, as the dog cannot absorb all the med due to a molecular weight unsuited for a dog to absorb them. TONS of people go to SamsClub, Walmart, Costco and use human glucosamine/chrondroitin... sadly, the dog only absorbs a small amount of what they are paying for. ) Buy her some Cosequin and see her improve!

I never heard this before. Do you have any articles or links about dogs not being able to absorb the human glucosamine/chondroitin?
Brightelf--A little off topic here, I have to say I love reading your posts! I am one of those people who reads a lot but doesn't post much.

Brightelf

· #18 · Jul 1, 2008

2

Gunny's Mom, thank you for the nice compliment.

Actually, I have no articles on this, but here is what happened:

When my last GSD was 11, he started limping, having trouble getting up-- you know the story. I tried the "MoveFree" gluc/chrond from Walmart, as it was easier to afford. What a change!! He was doing much better. But, after about 6 months, he was back to being in pain that effected his life again. I rang a pet supply company's home office, and they sent me through to the pharmacy where they compounds the perscription and non-perscription meds for dogs. The veterinary pharmacologist (did I spell that right?LOL) heard my story, and explained the molecular weight of Cosequin (and their brand's cheaper knock-off of the Cosequin) was designed to be completely absorbed by the dog's body.. meaning my money would not be wasted, and the dog would get ALL og the neutraceutical it injested.

Just two weeks on the Cosequin, and my dog was doing behaviors he had not done in YEARS. Later on a few years later, when even the Cosequin was not enough, Rimadyl was the magic that let him live pain-free, and be himself again-- jumping, running, rolllllling like a doofus in the fresh green grass again.

Don't be scared to try Rimadyl, Metacam, etc.. just know this: If one drug does not work, the next one may be THE perfect answer for your dog!

BIG HUGS to you and your dog. I know how frustrating and scary it is to see a dog you adore in pain. You will find the right supplement and med for your dog! Please let us know how the changes you make for your GSD go.

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Yogi's Mom

· #19 · Jul 1, 2008

Thank you for that information Patti. I am so glad that medicine worked for your dog. Well, I am off to see what the difference is between the Dasuquin and Cosequin.

JeanKBBMMMAAN

· #20 · Jul 1, 2008

The Nutramax company does a lot of testing on the absorption of the ingredients. http://www.petstruly.com/121.html should link you to some of their products. http://www.nutramaxlabs.com their website

I don't know about anyone else, but I also like the Vetri-Science products. I also like Synovi G3 and am not sure who makes that. http://www.kvvetsupply.com is a nice catalog.

For sky's mom-do you think that he injected her with Cartrophen? I have heard some good things about that. http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3057-cartrophen-vet-injection.aspx

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