Advice on Rimadyl please

gsd mum · #1 27-06-2007, 05:38 PM

Hi, My gsd will be 12 in september, he is very fit and healthy and has a good 1-2 hour walk everyday which he loves, however when he is at home and trying to get up he is having difficulty, also in jumping into the back of the car,he had a vet check about 6 months ago, and the vet noticed he was a bit stiff, suggested that I should think about Rimadyl for the future, My problem is I know nothing about it eg any side effects etc,he is so fit I'd hate to give him something which helped his legs to the detriment of his health. He is a very well built gsd therefore heavy boned(not fat)He has had glucosamine and cod liver oil for the last 2yrs.can anyone give me their personal experience of Rimadyl please?

wildmoor · #2 27-06-2007, 10:06 PM

Sorry I have never used it but have heard lots of bad things about it, I know that the dog will have to have regular blood tests whilst on it. Could your vet not look at alternatives such as Metacam some info here on it http://www.metacam.co.uk/metacam/1_metacam.php
this I wouldnt hesitate to use and used to use it regular with a dog with OCD of the shoulder. I presume if he is big boned he is English breeding. You could always use 300mg of Dispersible Asprin daily, but again like the Rimadyl wouldnt use it long term but is ok for temporary use. I know a lot have dogs have died in the US due to the use of Rimadyl. Can get you further info if needed.
Pam

GSDOWNER · #3 28-06-2007, 09:32 AM

I personally would not give my dog rimadrl, heard lots of bad things regarding this drug, I would agree with Pam, try metacam

http://www.a1articles.com/article_24455_54.html

gsd mum · #4 28-06-2007, 07:24 PM

Thank you for your advice, I'm so glad I asked!! I'll ask the vet about Metacalm, certainly seems a much better alternative.

ArchandEbs · #5 02-01-2008, 12:43 PM

Hi

They tried to put my dog on it in the UK when he was two and a half. I used it for a short time but then I slowly took him off it. He's now 8 and a half and had terrible hips.

Here in Australia they recommended I give him glucosamine. This in addition to the warmer climate has helped him heaps. My vet also suggested that if his arthritis gets any worse they can give it to him in injections. He'd have a loading dose and then at regular intervals.

I don't know if anyone else has used this but the tablets are working for Arch and we haven't had any side effects.

Arch and Ella-Bellas Mum

ArchandEbs · #6 02-01-2008, 12:44 PM

Hi

They tried to put my dog on it in the UK when he was two and a half. I used it for a short time but then I slowly took him off it. He's now 8 and a half and had terrible hips.

Here in Australia they recommended I give him glucosamine (as you have been doing) and this in addition to the warmer climate has helped him heaps. My vet also suggested that if his arthritis gets any worse they can give it to him in injections. He'd have a loading dose and then at regular intervals.

I don't know if anyone else has used this (the injections)

Arch and Ella-Bellas Mum

GSDOWNER · #7 02-01-2008, 12:56 PM

If its the Injections called Cartrophen Vet Injections, then yes George started them in August, he had one every week for four weeks, and he is due to have his next set at the end of January.......must check

If you could see the difference these injections have made to George, you would be amazed, he is totally a different dog, He is showing moderate signs of osteoarthritis

http://www.kvh.com.au/Cartrophen%20Vet.html

Rimadyl is also known as 'Carprofen.' There is another drug, developed in Australia before Rimadyl, called 'Cartrophen.' Although the generic names are similar, the drugs are radically different. Cartrophen Vet is not an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), as Rimadyl is.

GypsyGSD · #8 02-01-2008, 02:42 PM

I would never touch Rymidal as others on this forum no my story, if you google the drug you can see for yourself the effects it can have, I have a 9 yr old gsd and she is on metacam , all ok , this to has side effects like all drugs but as I see it I would rather her have this for her remaining years than touch rymidal GypsyX

dragon · #9 05-01-2008, 10:56 AM

sheba was on rimadyl briefly when she hurt her chest muscles after slipping on the laminate .
it made her vomit for about a week after and have the runs .
i may be wrong but too coincidental they were the 50mg tablets

Alison · #10 08-02-2008, 02:18 PM

Hi

My 8 year old GSD was given Rimadyl by the vet for her HD, after only three days she began wetting her bed in her sleep. I stopped the tablets straight away and made another appointment to see the vet. The wetting stopped as soon as i stopped the tablets. She was then given another type, which the name escapes me, but again the same pattern started with her wetting her bed through the night. I asked the vet if we could try metacam and he agreed. She is now on Metacam which has given her a new lease of life and is a lot brighter.

alil