Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Not sure if this is the right place to post this, and hopefully it's not repeating another post (though I couldn't find one)
My Charley muffin is about a month post-op (front amp), and overall he's doing really well! But he is still on Rimadyl for arthritis in his rear left leg. So far he seems to be tolerating it pretty well (I am keeping an extra close eye on everything tho!), but it does seem to be causing hot spots. I tried scaling the dosage back slightly, but there was a definite difference in his gait (tho less itching), so I feel like I need to keep the dosage as rec'd by the vet. Is there anything I can do to mitigate the skin issues? He already gets K9 Immunity Plus (though just started a few days ago), fish oil & Vit E (been on those for months), a joint pill (been on that for months too), and he also gets probiotics with his dinner, which is half kibble, half raw.
Also, related... Anyone have success with other options for treating arthritis? I'd rather him not be on Rimadyl at all, but between that (and other NSAIDS) and steroids, there don't seem to many options.
Thanks!
Hello to you! Charley is adorable - glad he is doing so well.
We actually just tried to switch from Rimadyl to Piroxicam because, according to our Oncologist, Piroxicam is thought to have less liver toxicity from long term use than Rimadyl. Unfortunately, my boy Pofi had a bad gastric response to the Piroxicam - I may try it again with Pepcid AC.
But it might be worth inquiring about for you and Charley muffin!
Lisa and Pofi
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hey there great questions, this is a perfect place to post.
Wow I've never heard of hot spots or itching as a side effect of Rimadyl. Weird!
Like any pharmaceutical, NSAIDs have their place in managing pain but should be part of a whole-body treatment. There are lots of options to treat arthritis and the best place to find out which ones can work for Charlie is to see a certified rehab vet. These pros will incorporate other modalities besides NSAIDs, like acupuncture, massage and PT. Before trying something else to alleviate symptoms, why not try to pinpoint the causes of those aches and pains? Here are some posts about rehab that shed some light on the topic:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My quad pug Tani had terrible arthritis in her back and all four legs, she was diagnosed at 6 years old. We started with supplements and added rimadyl and eventually a low dose of gabapentin.
One thing that really worked well for her was adequan injections. It doesn't work for all dogs and it is expensive, but it was like magic for Tani, we probably got 2 more years because of adequan. Unfortunately right now there seems to be a shortage of the drug, but you might ask your vet about it.
Tani was a terror at the vet, so I learned how to do the shots myself at home.
Karen and the Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
You are so darn cute Charley Muffin! And congratulations on your ONE MONTH AMPUVERSARY! 🙂
Another suggestion, possibly Deramaxx or Metacam. Curious why you think Rimadyl is the culprit for the hotspots?
Glad ro hear Charley is doing well. Hope you can get some relief for him through a Rehab specialist.
Lots of 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!
benny55 said
You are so darn cute Charley Muffin! And congratulations on your ONE MONTH AMPUVERSARY! 🙂Another suggestion, possibly Deramaxx or Metacam. Curious why you think Rimadyl is the culprit for the hotspots?
Glad ro hear Charley is doing well. Hope you can get some relief for him through a Rehab specialist.
Lots of hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
I've seen "changes in skin...redness, itching" listed as side effects of Rimadyl and since that's the only prescription medicine he's on, I figured that's the culprit.
jerry said
Hey there great questions, this is a perfect place to post.Wow I've never heard of hot spots or itching as a side effect of Rimadyl. Weird!
Like any pharmaceutical, NSAIDs have their place in managing pain but should be part of a whole-body treatment. There are lots of options to treat arthritis and the best place to find out which ones can work for Charlie is to see a certified rehab vet. These pros will incorporate other modalities besides NSAIDs, like acupuncture, massage and PT. Before trying something else to alleviate symptoms, why not try to pinpoint the causes of those aches and pains? Here are some posts about rehab that shed some light on the topic:
Thanks, will be making an appointment this week!
krun15 said
My quad pug Tani had terrible arthritis in her back and all four legs, she was diagnosed at 6 years old. We started with supplements and added rimadyl and eventually a low dose of gabapentin.One thing that really worked well for her was adequan injections. It doesn't work for all dogs and it is expensive, but it was like magic for Tani, we probably got 2 more years because of adequan. Unfortunately right now there seems to be a shortage of the drug, but you might ask your vet about it.
Tani was a terror at the vet, so I learned how to do the shots myself at home.
Karen and the Pug Girls
Thanks! I asked about adequan a few months ago, but my vet said she couldn't get any & I couldn't find it online.. but now I do see some available online so I'll ask again!
If you are using the flavored chewable Rimadyl then you might have itching due to food allergy. They do make a non-flavored caplet for those dogs or you could try Metacam which is a honey flavored liquid. Deramaxx works well but only comes as a beef flavored chewable tablet.
I love Adequan although there may be a shortage of this (see prior posts).
Pam
tazziedog said
If you are using the flavored chewable Rimadyl then you might have itching due to food allergy. They do make a non-flavored caplet for those dogs or you could try Metacam which is a honey flavored liquid. Deramaxx works well but only comes as a beef flavored chewable tablet.I love Adequan although there may be a shortage of this (see prior posts).
Pam
Thanks, Pam! I hadn't thought about food allergy, but it makes sense... I've had to be careful with his food over the years b/c he's had sensitivities.
Woah! Had no idea that would be why it caused the itching, thanks for your super duper insight as always Pam.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Adequan works wonders! I FINALLY got some! Something to try for the hot spots may be Vetrycin. It is a spray. You can find it at Tractor Supply. If I am not mistaken, they actually have a formula for hot spots. I am afraid of NSAIDs, well for my dogs, I myself, take a hefty dose daily because I am too stubborn to get my knees replaced. I give Chandler, Dasaquin, Glycoflex ( daily) and then a monthly Adaquan injection. He also takes a small dose of Tramadol twice daily. My younger pups just get the Dasaquin as a preventive. Lucy has that long back thing going on and Daryl is a Tripawd with hip dysplasia. Could there be another cause for the hot spots. Perhaps something growing outside? Oh and the food allergy thing is a good suggestion. Poor Chan can't eat, corn, wheat or poultry. Lori, Ty and gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Oh, yes, Veterycin! Find yourself some of it. I ended up ordering on Amazon as the type of store (tractor supply, feed store, etc.) that tends to carry it is just not on my beaten path in the city and I just rarely make it out to the far suburbs where they are.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
We started using Deramaxx witch worked , but since have changed to Metacam , that works wonderfully infact it works so well on her pain that if we had not missed refilling the prescription, causing her pain to escilate considerably, we may not have gone in for a second Xray that discovered the presance of her cancer. I'm told that it can have adverse affects on the stomach so watch the dosing.
Pawzative thoughts your way...
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