Opinions on Rimadyl for my dog?

[Nyboy]

Good old fashion aspirin, is what I tell clients for aches and pains, Try that first if it doesn't work then move up to prescription drugs. Aspirin is a pain reliever, fever reducer inflammatory. Glucosanine supplements do help ask any person who takes it, problem with it is does nothing for pain, needs to be taken with a pain reliever.

 

[valley ranch]

Greetings, Glucosamine reduces onset of joint pain but is not a pain medication.

Steroidal and Non-Steroidal anti inflammatory chemicals cause vital organ damage. There is always a price to pay for using chemicals to mask pain or stress.

Non poisonous pain medication is controlled and seldom prescribed.

 

[journey11]

Thanks for helping me get some perspective on this guys. The Rimadyl won't actually fix the underlying problem either. But I think the crossroads we are at is if I can't get her to eat better, she will waste away anyhow. I found a canned food she decently likes and have been giving her "duck jerky" which has a higher fat content than chicken jerky. I wish she'd eat more of her dried food. I know she's old and only has so long to live anyway, maybe another good year or so. I do want her to be comfortable, if that is the trade off.

I've barely found time to cook from scratch for the family lately, much less the dog. I have some old stewing hens in the freezer I could cook for her, and have also been giving her homemade treats of beef liver with blackstrap molasses.

This morning I found her curled up in my recliner, comfy as could be. She hasn't been up to climbing stairs or jumping on the furniture the past few months, so obviously she's feeling better. (Not that I've ever approved of dogs getting on the furniture, but she knows I am in a mood to indulge her a bit nowadays. )

I think I am going to try a plan I found online. A half dose of Rimadyl daily along with a g/c supplement. It is supposed to reduce the odds of any toxic build up in the liver. Because she is eating less dry food, I think she is not getting the levels of g/c that she had before. She is not in so much pain that she can't rise or walk, at least, just very stiff and sore in the hips.

Although a new puppy will be on the horizon eventually, I have to say it is not something I am really looking forward to -- all of the housebreaking, obedience training and chewing things up. As long as my old, faithful friend can take herself outside to potty, I am most content to have her around and will do what I can. She's been the sweetest and most loyal dog, and has changed many people's minds about pitbulls due to her gentle disposition. I really miss our long walks together. I just want to make her retirement days the best they can be.

 

[Nyboy]

Are you soaking her dry food in warm water ? Soaking it softens it, sometimes old dogs have bad teeth, hard food becomes painful to eat. If you are already soaking in water try soaking in chicken broth.

 

[journey11]

I have tried that, using a gravy based canned food along with a little extra warm water. She just didn't seem to have any appetite for it, one way or the other.

 

[Nyboy]

Sometimes its about not being able to smell food well. Trick I used, pour juice from can tuna over food, in a pinch I will add small amount of fish flavored cat food. try anything smelly

 

[journey11]

That may be why she likes the liver so well. I think it stinks! I bet she'd like the tuna, especially if she thinks that the cats are interested in her dinner.

 

[valley ranch]

Bless you for taking such care of her.

 

[journey11]

She has been such a blessing to me, that's for sure. A most trusted friend. She was also the impetus I needed to get out of a very bad relationship when I was in my early 20's. I was not going to tolerate anybody telling me that I could or could not have a certain dog.

One of the first things she did when I was dating my DH was to chew up the toe of his favorite pair of leather loafers. He continued to wear them for years anyway and never complained too much when the dog would lick the back of his neck on car rides. Now that's a good man! LOL

She has been outside with the kids most of the day, laying in the sandbox. She even took a stint at barking at the UPS man. I do think the medicine is benefiting her. I will just have to pray that we can avoid the potential side-effects. It has been a nerve wracking decision, but by her behavior I think she is telling me it is needed.

 

[Nyboy]

You made the right decision !!