Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Clyde just had his 11 month ampuversary! Yay! Today, I called his vet to re-fill his Rimadyl prescription. He's been on a low dose of Rimadyl since his staples came out as it seems to make him more comfortable. The tech calls me back and said in kind of a scolding voice that the doctor approved this refill, but won't approve any more without Clyde coming in for his yearly visit and for a blood test.
Now, I was planning on bringing him in at the year mark assuming he makes it that long just to have the vet take a look at him. No tests, nothing like that. Mainly just to see if the vet thought he was getting stiff in his back and remaining legs. When the tech told me that I "had" to bring him in again for a blood test, I was pissed. I told her that since he wasn't supposed to be here this long, I didn't realize we had to do that, but that I was going to bring him in anyway. Since the call, I've kind of worked myself up more and more. While I really like my vet and think he's an excellent technician, his office has the reputation for being pricey and running up bills. I really can't see why poor Clyde has to have blood drawn when each and every day is just a bonus for him. Its not like he's going to be here for years and years on Rimadyl. And I know the test will cost like $250 - which seems like a ridiculous expense to have to incur given our situation.
All that said, I've had a rough couple of weeks and recognize that I might well be overreacting. So I thought I'd put this out there and see what you guys think. It really doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. But I'm willing to listen to you guys 
OVERREACTING??? That's our job around here!!! We do it all so well!!
HOWEVER, in this particular case you might be....just might be...overreacting just a teeny weeny bit. And here's why. ( And no, not overreacting to the way the Technician spoke to you...sounds like she was quite bossy and rude!).
When it comes to Rimadyl, a periodic blood test IS a good idea when a dog is on it long term. I think It can become toxic to the liver and kidney sometimes, and it can happen fairly quickly. The blood test will show you if everything is looking good. But he needs NOmother tests and you have EVERY right to reject any other suggestiins!
Now I'm certainly no Vet, but I dont think it's "out of the norm" to do a blood test before the next refill (after this one) just to make sure no toxicity has bult up. And the fact that he is feeling so good indicates he's not having any issues, so YAY!! 🙂 🙂
And whenever you DO go in, just insist that ALL you want is the minimal bloodwork necessary to get thr Rimadyl refill. The only other thing you want his the assessment for his stiffness...and that's it!!! Yes, they'll probably push for other tests, or dental work, or xrays, or vaccines, and anything else they can think of, etc and that's where you stand strong and say no thanks!! NO!!
So that's just my two cents, but we'll see what others say.
And now we celebrate HAPPY ELEVEN MONTH AMPUVERSARY CLYDE!!! This makes me sooooo happy!!! ELEVEN MONTHS!! WOW!!! And we look forward to celebrating a gazillion more!
Clyde, hooe you got some ice cream and cake!!! You deserve it! 🙂
Give that sweet voy a smooch for is! 🙂
Hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Clllllllyyyydddddeeeeee!!!! An 11 month PAWTYYYY!!! Now, I hear tell, that involves Puppacinos, steak, pizza, ice cream...repeat as wanted!!!! Congrats on your WonderDog Ways!!! Wowee zoweeeeeee!
Sorry the last few weeks have been rough. Maybe wait to make a decision as you get closer to the end of the script? It is not unusual for vets to want to know via a blood test if some meds are negatively impacting, say, the liver ( so that the vet can then come up with an alternate plan). Not certain why you need an entire panel for that but, likely, the vet just wants to have that on record for Clyde's wellness.
However, you are in complete control of this. If you do not want it done, or if you don't want a full panel, or, heck, if you okay it but do not want to hear the results, really...it is completely up to you. Clyde gets to PAWTY on either way!!!
Huge hugs, best wishes, and PyrPaws all around! Maybe that should be Puppocinos all around!!!
There is no call for the tech to be pushy about doing tests, but here is another way to look at it:
You might not have expected Clyde to still be here- but he is, yay! A tough part of the cancer journey is deciding what you need to do at the vet- tests, vaccines, etc. Long term use of NSAIDs like rimadyl can impact organ function. Clyde is doing so well now- you don't want to cause a separate problem that could impact his life quality by not checking on blood work.
We had a member here years ago who's tripawd hurt a knee. Since the owned didn't expect the pup to be around for too long he didn't address the knee issue. The pup outlived his cancer prognosis but his life quality was hampered by the bad knee.
Maybe you can talk with your vet about the real minimum that you need to do as far as blood work? Since he isn't having any symptoms that indicate trouble with NSAIDs maybe the vet would be willing to stretch the time between blood work. My quad pug Tani was on rimadyl for years for her arthritis and we did blood work every 6 months, although since she was on seizure meds we had to do 6 month blood work anyway.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Well I'm sure I'm the very last person on earth qualified to judge if you are overreacting 
What I would say is that, as the others have said, blood tests are a normal precaution for animals on long term NSAIs, to check how liver and kidneys are coping. Both my girls are on longterm Metacam, and in fact, Meg is going for her check up and blood tests this week. It's actually the same for me. I am on longterm human medication and have to have regular blood tests to ensure that the levels are safe. I know that my GP (primary care physician) would say that she is under an obligation, even oath, to 'do no harm'. Even though the meds are prescribed by a specialist, it is my GP who actually issues the prescriptions and she is therefore obliged to regularly check that they are not doing harm. I suspect it's a similar situation with vets. They cannot ethically dispense medication without checking, or doing their best to check, that it isn't causing harm. (Obviously, this does go wrong, vaccine associated sarcoma for example).
I totally get what you say about Clyde's prognosis, but I agree with Karen. He may continue to thrive for a long time to come, and we obviously very much hope he will. You don't want the Rimadyl to cause a separate, avoidable problem.
I also entirely empathise with your feelings of frustration. I find it incredibly stressful, if there is a problem getting the painkillers my girls need. I've actually had this recently. It was just a trivial problem to do with ordering and delivery, but I found it surprisingly stressful and upsetting. Also, though many vet's receptionists/techs are superb, really friendly and supportive, I'm sure many of us have met the odd 'gatekeeper' who seems almost to take pleasure in their position of standing between you and the help you need.
Sending you a big hug. I'm sorry to hear you've been having a tough time. And Happy 11th Ampuversary to Clyde.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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