My old girl Mina's arthritis has got worse, so the vet has prescribed Rimadyl for her. It's an anti-inflammatory and pain-killer. He explained that it could damage her kidneys and liver, but it was the only thing available. He took a blood test, so we could have a baseline to check her liver and kidney function against when she'd been on the medication for a while. I'll get the results on Monday.

He told me to watch out for vomiting or diahhorhea (sp) or white poop and said to discontinue the tablets if this happened. So far, the only side effect seems to be that she's even greedier than ever!!!

I think she seemed a bit more lively when we were out today, but that could be wishful thinking, because she's only been taking it since Friday.

Has anybody else had/got a dog on Rimadyl? What's been your experience of it?

(PS - DON'T do a search for it, I did and found some awful stuff about some dogs having seizures and all sorts of problems with it.)

Why was it the only thing suitable/available?

I only ask as I have had Eddy on Previcox which the vet prescribed him due to him already having dicky guts and didn't want him to be upset further by metacam... the previcox is gentler on the tummy.

He's had no side effects although I'm supposed to give it him every day as long term medication and only give it him when I think he needs it so can't really comment on it as an every day thing.

I think any long term medication can be bad for the kidneys and liver tbh although I haven't looked into it.

Takara's only had rimadyl on the odd occasions she's done something stupid - like cut a paw or gone swimming in cold water and ended up with painful Cold Tail.

Why was it the only thing suitable/available?

I only ask as I have had Eddy on Previcox which the vet prescribed him due to him already having dicky guts and didn't want him to be upset further by metacam... the previcox is gentler on the tummy.

He's had no side effects although I'm supposed to give it him every day as long term medication and only give it him when I think he needs it so can't really comment on it as an every day thing.

I think any long term medication can be bad for the kidneys and liver tbh although I haven't looked into it.

Takara's only had rimadyl on the odd occasions she's done something stupid - like cut a paw or gone swimming in cold water and ended up with painful Cold Tail.

Sorry, should have been a bit clearer!! The only treatment available is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Rimadyl and Previcox, which share the same potential side-effects, because they're the same type of medication.

I know they're hard on the stomach, because I was prescribed them once (the human version, that is!!) for sciatica, but had to stop taking them because I have a hiatus hernia and acid reflux.

I looked up cold tail - poor Takara! I've never actually had NSAIDs prescribed for any of my dogs before, which is why I wondered about other people's experiences.

I see!

Yeah, Previcox has never bothered Eddy and has never affected his tummy either (thankfully!)

But like I say, he doesn't get it every day as prescribed - because, in my opinion, if he can leap from the floor to the sofa in order to get a better position for dive bombing Takara then he's not in that much pain!

Timba had Rimadyl and it made him really ill. I dont think its been researched enough, and I wouldn't let him have it again, there are too many side effects
the vet told me to stop reading about it on the internet it, the side effects only happen to perhaps one in 500 dogs but when its your dog thats the one.

I see!

Yeah, Previcox has never bothered Eddy and has never affected his tummy either (thankfully!)

But like I say, he doesn't get it every day as prescribed - because, in my opinion, if he can leap from the floor to the sofa in order to get a better position for dive bombing Takara then he's not in that much pain! My bold

Mmmmm .... I think you could be right, there! :hihi:

Mina's used a step to get up on the sofa for a while now, she could still jump onto it, but it tended to take her a few attempts and I was worried in case she hurt herself when she bounced off it!

The main reason I took her to the vet was because she was shivering, which is a sign of pain/distress (the only other time she's shivered was when she had a urine infection). She seems to have stopped shivering, but has taken to enthusiastic dreaming - she shakes the whole sofa with her "running". And she's woken herself up with woofing - then she glares at me, as if it's my fault. :huh:

Timba had Rimadyl and it made him really ill. I dont think its been researched enough, and I wouldn't let him have it again, there are too many side effects
the vet told me to stop reading about it on the internet it, the side effects only happen to perhaps one in 500 dogs but when its your dog thats the one.

Yes, it's a difficult one, isn't it? Luckily, Mina hasn't had any side effects (yet) and I'm willing to take the risk, because otherwise she's going to be in pain, so she's not going to have much quality of life.

My bold

Mmmmm .... I think you could be right, there! :hihi:

Mina's used a step to get up on the sofa for a while now, she could still jump onto it, but it tended to take her a few attempts and I was worried in case she hurt herself when she bounced off it!

The main reason I took her to the vet was because she was shivering, which is a sign of pain/distress (the only other time she's shivered was when she had a urine infection). She seems to have stopped shivering, but has taken to enthusiastic dreaming - she shakes the whole sofa with her "running". And she's woken herself up with woofing - then she glares at me, as if it's my fault. :huh:

:lol: Eddy's done that, but T does it too - and she's only 4 and in no pain at all!

Eddy shivers (moreso since kidney disease and now judders at times which I think is a sign of his deterioration although he's not poorly yet) and has always dreamed since I've had him (since he was 11) but he is not afraid of telling me if he wants something so if he's not happy that's when he gets the previcox!

I never actually thought about the shivering being a sign he needs it though so may try giving it him when he shivers and see if it stops it (although I just fed him his second evening meal and he's laid still as anything now - very happy indeed! His appetite has changed a lot since the KD (the wrong way though - he's hungrier!)

He doesn't look too distressed to me... :lol:
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b10/Lottiepics/Takara/P1010113.jpg

I hope Mina starts to feel better with the help of the rimadyl... if she does have any trouble with her tummy then ask about previcox - I know the vet prescribed it for Eddy because it's gentler on the tummy.

tia was on rymadyl for about 3 years but then suddenly started throwing up, took her back and basicaly the rymadyl had stopped working, or rather becouse it had been in her system for so long her body then started to fight it off and made her ill, she is now 7 and on metacam every now and again, should be on it everyday but she isent in pain everyday as she dosent have artharities she has hip dysplasia but the metacam for her is great and she loves itx

Hi my rotty had arthritus from about age 5, he had "metacam" for 4 yrs, is that no good for your dog? Mine was fine on it and it really helped him, you just measured it out and put it in his food, It smelt like ferrets funnily enough lol

A couple of things have worked with my oldies 1 is green lipped muscle extract & 2 is gloglusamide(spelling) a old staffy i have is on both & the change has been remarkable

A couple of things have worked with my oldies 1 is green lipped muscle extract & 2 is gloglusamide(spelling) a old staffy i have is on both & the change has been remarkable

Thanks mummy and bluevan - looks like there is a choice of other NSAIDs if Rimadyl doesn't work.

When Mina's arthritis was first diagnosed (she was actually limping, as opposed to being a bit stiff-legged) I tried her on the special food with glucosomine and green lipped muscle extract and it worked a treat, no more limping!

She happily chomped her way through the first tray of 12 tins, but one tin into the second tray, she decided she didn't want it any more!! So I switched to Pedigree Chum chews with the right additives and she was happy on them for a while. Now her and Zeb are both on glucosomine powder, which I sprinkle on their food, along with some Plaque Off, to help their teeth.

I must remember to ask the vet if I should continue with the glucosomine, now she's on Rimadyl! I've also heard some people with arthritis have had good results from the glucosomine, so I'm bearing it mind for myself, when the time comes. :hihi:

Glucosamine and chrondoitin is a better idea ;)

The Green Lipped Mussel Extract actually helps rebuild cells as opposed to just protecting them and you can get this in a separate supplement so I would ask your vet if this can be taken alongside the rimadyl (which I shouldn't think is a problem) :)

Double check that info actually, cos it's a while since I learned it and I could be getting muddled up!

Glucosamine and chrondoitin is a better idea ;)

The Green Lipped Muscle Extract actually helps rebuild cells as opposed to just protecting them and you can get this in a separate supplement so I would ask your vet if this can be taken alongside the rimadyl (which I shouldn't think is a problem) :)

Double check that info actually, cos it's a while since I learned it and I could be getting muddled up! My bold

You get muddled up at your age??? What on earth are you going to do when you get to my age??? :hihi:

I shall ask the vet about glucosamine, chrondoitin and green lipped muscle extract when he phones me with the results of the blood test.

My bold

You get muddled up at your age??? What on earth are you going to do when you get to my age??? :hihi:

I shall ask the vet about glucosamine, chrondoitin and green lipped muscle extract when he phones me with the results of the blood test.

Haha - yes I do! I'm 21 going on 200 you know! My body's falling to bits, why shouldn't the brain follow! (I'm going grey too LOL)

See... I even spelled Mussel as muscle and then came back to correct it and you'd quoted it!!! :lol:

well Lotti there`s no hope for me then lol

well Lotti there`s no hope for me then lol

LOL... Nigel if you're doing better than me already then there's more hope for you than me! :lol:

Haha - yes I do! I'm 21 going on 200 you know! My body's falling to bits, why shouldn't the brain follow! (I'm going grey too LOL)

See... I even spelled Mussel as muscle and then came back to correct it and you'd quoted it!!! :lol:

Oh, lord, and I spelled it wrong as well!!!

But I take comfort from the fact that others are worse than me. At a meeting a friend of mine said, "Adam, did you get a reply to that e-mail?" to her female friend sitting opposite. Then she owned up to buying and sending a birthday card to a female friend without noticing that it had "To the birthday boy" written down one side of it!

Our vet prescribes Prednisolone, the same stuff as I take for joint pains. It is a steroid and it works. Does have side effects though but not in low doses such as dogs have.
I asked a pharmacist about Glucosamine, he said 'expensive rubbish' keep your money in your pocket. The Predisnolone works straight away. Rheumatologists use steroids, not Glucosamine.

Our vet prescribes Prednisolone, the same stuff as I take for joint pains. It is a steroid and it works. Does have side effects though but not in low doses such as dogs have.
I asked a pharmacist about Glucosamine, he said 'expensive rubbish' keep your money in your pocket. The Predisnolone works straight away. Rheumatologists use steroids, not Glucosamine.

Mmmm ... well, the glucosamine has worked for Mina so far, and it can't be the placebo effect, because she doesn't know what she's taking!!

I've just had the results of the blood tests and her liver is absolutely fine. She was slightly dehydrated, so the counts were a bit high for her kidneys. She's going to carry on with the Rimadyl and then have another blood test, just for kidneys, in 2 weeks time.

The vet says I can continue with glucosomine, etc, but need to be careful not to give too much, because it can cause - drat, I think he said blood clotting, but I didn't write it down, so can't be sure!! My memory! :loopy:

Our vet prescribes Prednisolone, the same stuff as I take for joint pains. It is a steroid and it works. Does have side effects though but not in low doses such as dogs have.
I asked a pharmacist about Glucosamine, he said 'expensive rubbish' keep your money in your pocket. The Predisnolone works straight away. Rheumatologists use steroids, not Glucosamine.

Preds for joint pain? new one on me! thought they were more for skin/itching?

Timba had Rimadyl and it made him really ill. I dont think its been researched enough, and I wouldn't let him have it again, there are too many side effects
the vet told me to stop reading about it on the internet it, the side effects only happen to perhaps one in 500 dogs but when its your dog thats the one.

You have to get it in perspective. Thousands of dogs are on Rimadyl long term. Quality over quantity I say. Dogs that are prescribed it for a long period of time should have regular blood tests to check liver/kidney function, but so should we if we were taking ibruprofen long term, especially if elderly. Loads of dogs have them with no problems at all. There is also an injection called cartrophen which is very effective, it is given every week for 4 weeks and usually last 6 months.

I don't have much to add, but if it's a straw poll... Brude doesn't get on too well with Rymadil, but he's better on Metacam. The Rymadil plays havoc with his digestion

How come nobody has mentioned magnetic collars yet?

Hehe was just about to mention magnetic collars strix i need to try one for Tilly, anything is worth a go!. We are giving Metacam a try and so far so good although we are very slowly building the dosage up as she has a delicate tummy

adz i sell magnetic dog collars they come with a 90 money back guarantee tel steve on 0114 2313501

Rimadyl can be very dangerous, my german shepherd broke out in terrible sores on her belly and legs after taking it for a short while why not try something more natural, glucosime tabs are supposed to be good or a spot of cod liver oil on food can help