Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The good Doctor Dolittler, Patty Khuly, VMD just wrote about an English Mastiff who died from toxic reactions to Metacam. However, Jerry took Metacam daily for nearly two years after his amputation with no apparent side effects.
Is it known if certain dog breeds have different reactions to specific medications – specifically NSAIDs – or are all dogs just different?
UPDATE: This post has been edited since the original article referenced no longer exists. For further reading, see...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The only possible breed-specific problem I have heard of is with Labradors and Rimadyl. Many Labs have been reported to have liver issues with this drug but it is hard to say if it is a real problem or if it is just that so many Labs take Rimadyl so you see a higher incidence. The safest way for any dog to take NSAIDS is to have a baseline blood test taken before starting the drug, then repeated 2-4 weeks after starting the meds then every 6-12 months thereafter. I have been monitoring Tazzie's blood every month (due to her pre-existing liver disease) and so far, so good. Today is actually her 7 month anniversary since surgery!
Pam and Tazzie
tazziedog said:
I have been monitoring Tazzie's blood every month (due to her pre-existing liver disease) and so far, so good. Today is actually her 7 month anniversary since surgery!
Pam and Tazzie
SEVEN MONTHS? HOOOORAAAAAY!!!!!!!!
Wow, time flies. We are thrilled for you both, and are truly happy to hear this great news. Many big congrats!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just found this link for pet pharmacy information in a newspaper column...
"The information provided in the Pet Pharmacy Library of Medications is a list of medications commonly prescribed for the treatment of dog and cat medical conditions. Information in the form of medication information sheets is provided by both brand name and generic name."
Each medication listed links to its own information page with helpful details including usage, side effects, and other concerns. Here are the direct links to important information about:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow , thanks for the information. What is considered long term? Benji has been on Rimaldyl since the 13th of April and now 7 days past surgery. The prescription was only for 5 days after surgery so I will have to see how he feels tommorow without it. How often do they really need this? He gets his stitches removed on Monday and then the chemo will start.
It may all depend on the dog, and the drug. Jerry did well on Metacam for more than a year, whereas Rimadyl and Previcox both tore him up inside within a week. Hopefully Pam can provide a professional opinion.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My Comet was on Rimadyl for 1 year and a half with no problems. She was around 11 years old when she went on it but she had been hopping on 3 legs all of her life. She didn't have cancer.
I'm a firm believer that if they need it to feel better, give it if there are no side effects.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Trouble showed elevated liver enzymes with Rimadyl. They were not extremely high, but she was taken off Rimadyl at that point. As her arthritis progressed, we gave her minimal doses to keep her comfortable working up to a full dose daily for about three months before the end.
I know most of us don't want to over medicate, but if it helps them get along better and there are no adverse effects from the drug, I'd got with it. Another option is to see a holistic vet and get some advise.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I consider long-term use of an NSAID to be daily for more than a month at a time. Many dogs take these drugs without problems but you have to monitor the bloodwork to know if there might be organ dysfunction. I have also treated many dogs that have elevated enzymes on 1 drug but not another. I like meloxicam the best because it seems least likely to cause stomach or liver problems but the tablets can only be used in larger dogs and the liquid can be pricey.
Pam
Thanks everybody..will ask the vet. Benji is losing protein in his Urine and I am afraid that Rimadly and Chemo together may ruin him.Gonna try Accupuncture to help reduce the pain in his joints.
neysha said:
Thanks everybody..will ask the vet. Benji is losing protein in his Urine and I am afraid that Rimadly and Chemo together may ruin him.Gonna try Accupuncture to help reduce the pain in his joints.
ETGayle is a big supporter of accupuncture. By the time I located an accupuncturist locally, Trouble only had one treatment before we were forced to make quality of life decisions. I had high hopes it would make a big difference for us. Overall, I think there are several folks here who use accupuncture regularly with great success.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
FYI: New Fully Vetted blogger Dr. Jennifer Coates has published an update on this important subject:
Advice to Dog Owners Whose Pets Take NSAIDs
"Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) work by decreasing prostaglandin levels in the body. They do this by inhibiting the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX), which in turn is responsible for turning arachidonic acid (a fatty acid) into prostaglandins...
...If your dog has an adverse reaction to an NSAID, stop giving the drug and call your veterinarian immediately. Adverse reactions need to be reported so drug safety can be monitored. Directions on how to do this is available at the FDA’s Report a Problem website."
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think it really is dog specific. My 13 year old, 120 lb., Great Dane/Boxer mix (Jada) has been on both Rimadyl and Meloxicam. She tore her ACL in her rear right leg, and went on Rimadyl first. She tolerated it well, but then was diagnosed with arthritis in both rear hips and it was too expensive for me to continue long term. Her Vet and I switched her to Meloxicam once a day, and she's been on it now for 1 year without any problems.
My recent (right front) amputee, 10 year old, 70 lb. Greyhound (Cal) started Rimadyl right after surgery 3 1/2 weeks ago, but he had too much post-op bleeding, so I took him off the Rimadyl within a few days. Cal had taken Meloxicam for about 2 months for the arthritis in his right rear hip, before the amputation, so about two weeks after he was taken off Rimadyl, my Vet and I decided to try him on Meloxicam again to give him some relief for the arthritis. He's been back on it for about a week, with no problems. I'll be watching him closely, though, and doing regular blood tests to make sure he's not having kidney or liver problems. I am also putting them both on a high antioxidant diet now, to help reduce inflammation and increase their immune systems. 
Greyhounds are known to have issues with some drugs, but not specifically to NSAIDs. That's down to the individual.
They have problems with the older barbiturate anaesthetics, which are NOT safe for greyhounds. Care has to be taken anyway, because they dont' have sufficient body fat to 'park' anaesthetics there while they metabolise them, so they can have toxicity issues but many died in the days before the newer, safer anaesthetic drugs, when barbiturates were pretty much all there was.
They also have chemical sensitivities to things like certain insecticides and weedkillers, possibly for the same reason.
Some have life-threatening issues with caffeine, because they have a genetic disorder in the way they use calcium in the muscles at tissue level (I hope I've explained that right). Caffeine and most inhalation anaesthetics (again!) trigger the response and it results in malignant hyperthermia. They just overheat until they die, unless they are very, very lucky.
Hi Jay, thanks for sharing this information about Greys, it's very useful to have here. For more information about Greyhound specific health issues we encourage folks to also check out the pawesome Ohio State University Greyhound Health and Wellness program.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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