I have it on steriods right now and tramadol for pain . It's been three days now and I dont see any improvements. He is dragging his one left leg and having a very hard time just to get him up to go outside and do his business. He was fine one day and then one night i was letting him out for the night and he just collasped and then had trouble walking since then. I do not want to see him in pain and since I live in a house that you have to walk down a couple of steps to get outside this is becomming very hard now for him in just less then 48 hrs.
He is 8 yrs old part lab and part chow he dont even wag his tail when you talk to him anymore just lays on this cushion . He is going in on Sat for xrays , I just dont know what to do. I love him to death, but do not want to see him in pain and live a life like this if this is how his life will be like . I cant even pick him up to help him down the stairs cause he growls at me. Does anybody have experience in this dept Im very worried
2006-09-21 15:24:43 · 12 answers · asked by dindy 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you all for your answers. He started the tramabol this afternoon and is just so sleepy i guess that is from the pain meds.
I guess in my heart im hoping between the pain meds and steriods which he is going to be cut down starting tomorrow will work. I know he will never run or play no more but if I can get him where he can still at least walk and not be in pain I will be so happy. I just hate to put him down if there is any chance he might get a little bit better
2006-09-21 15:42:25 · update #1
the thing he is not a large dog that is why im shocked by all this. He is just a middle size dog maybe 20 pounds 30 at the most . I did talk to my vet about rimadyl and she is going to start to give that to him after the steriods. He has been on his steriods since Tuesday and the tramadol since this late afternoon. How long does it take for steriods to take effect ?
2006-09-21 15:44:58 · update #2
I am so sorry to hear about your baby. Give the meds some more time to work and see how the x-rays show.
I feel your pain because I know what it's like to have your pet suddenly take ill and I had to have mine put down. I loved her so much and didn't want to let go of her. I eventually had to.
Ask your vet what he feels the prognosis is after he sees the x-rays. I don't want to get your hopes up, but it could be something else. So try not to get too glum and spend all the time with him you can. Just talking and stroking him will make you both feel better till you know. Don't let all the answers you get upset you more. we are not vets and if we were, we haven't examined him. Time and tests will tell.
Let me know what happens after the x-rays. You can email me by clicking on my avatar. Then I can save it in my folder to keep in touch if you want...I'll be supportive for you if need be. Okay?
God bless you and your baby,
pj
2006-09-21 15:49:07 · answer #1 · answered by pj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My vet put my dog on steroids and a pain killer(can't remember the name) and ANTROFLEX,. She is just fine now cause the Antroflex has helped her greatly, check it out on the Internet. If the steroids are being given orally, it will take time. My dog was given the steriods through IV and in two days was walking fine. The ANTROFLEX is something she will be taking for life and she is only 5 but dashchunds suffer from this ailment due to their long spines and mine jumps on the furniture alot so this came early in life for her. Your dog collapsed cause she shouldnt be walking in her condition till medication has time to work. Find a way to keep her as still as possible until meds do their job. Get a big wooden box with low corners that he can get in it, get grass or whatever from the spot he does his business and set that in the box, see if he does his business there. Its a lot of work and dirty business but remember he is ill and needs attention, and it will be worth it.
2006-09-21 17:28:32 · answer #2 · answered by diehard0603 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a ruptured disc not arthritis, some vets are so darn stupid. i am sorry to say he IS in pain, and he will not get better.. It is better to be humane and do what you know what is right for him.. I would keep on the meds for a bit longer. Tramadol is a heavy duty pain killer.. That may cause him to be less active which is good right now..
I am sorry, I know how you feel, it happend to my 6 year old cocker 5 years ago. She is at rainbow bridge, I could not stand to see her suffer.. She had actually lost use of both back legs, it got better but she was never the same and was in pain and became incontinent (peeing)
2006-09-21 15:32:05 · answer #3 · answered by Mommadog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This dog is a perfect case for chiropractic work. Ask your vet for a referral to a veterinary chiropractor or look for one online or in your phone book. Our chiropractor does some amazing things with dogs with lameness, hip dysplasia, disc problems, arthritis, etc. Take your dog swimming or to physical therapy where they have an underwater treadmill. This is a good exercise that is low stress. Otherwise, you want to restrict your dog's activity so he doesn't injure himself further but make sure he keeps moving and gets a little exercise each day and doesn't get stiff. Rimadyl, Metacam, Previcox, Tramadol, Deramaxx... these are all good meds for arthritis in dogs, but you need to make sure you have him on the lowest dose that keeps him comfortable to reduce his chances of liver problems. Also, have his liver values tested every 6 months to monitor his condition and make sure the meds aren't causing problems. Definitely seek the help of a veterinary chiropractor. With chiropractic, you may be able to reduce the amount of meds you have him on, or take him off all together.
Also, a MUST, get him on a good glucosamine supplement. The best as far as I have seen are Cosequin and Glycoflex III. Glucosamine is not a drug so it is not monitored by the FDA, so you have to be careful that what you buy is what you get. The ones I suggested WORK, but if you buy the cheap kind, they may not actually have in them what the label says and you won't see any benefits. He should be on the glucosamine for life. It only makes it better.
A joint diet (Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Joint Mobility or Hills Prescription Diet j/d) may also help. The RC diet is the best in my opinion. Your vet can order it for you.
2006-09-21 17:39:00 · answer #4 · answered by Lauren M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im sorry about this, arthritis is a major problems for big dogs.
your dog is in a lot of pain, ALOT. chows or mixes usually dont like to picked up anyways, try using a towel under him to support his body weight...prednisone and other steriods usually take a little time to have an effect, but there are no guarantees...he probably injured himself further when he fell, rymadyl is a good anti-inflammtory pain killer for dogs. TELL them to increase his pain medication, or try two brands at once, you may have to muzzle him to carry him down the stairs....im sorry about this, but if he seems in pain after a month or so, i would consider putting him to sleep so he wont suffer...
2006-09-21 15:40:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you talked to your vet about lime disease? Regardless.....in a 8-year old lab/mix.....I'd use cortico-steroids until the pain subsides..and then wean it back. Ask for a perscription of it when you see the vet on saturday. The complications to the immune systemn, etc. are much less of a risk in a middle-age dog. ( At best he is only going to live another 6 years) Get enough cortizone to get him pain releif, and then wean him off slowly. He'll get through this....
2006-09-21 15:37:26 · answer #6 · answered by hardy_rose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to decide what the quality of life is like right now.
If the dog is not acting himself, not able to move around on his own then you may need to decide what you must do.
If steroids and tramadol is not helping nothing may. But if it has only been a couple days give it some time to work. I think you need to consult your vet for his/her opinion
2006-09-21 15:37:42 · answer #7 · answered by leftygirl_75 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
further testing is a good idea...there are also other pain meds to try and it may just be that it will take several more days for the meds to build up and offer relief. At this point in your dogs life you have to consider quality of life at every turn.
2006-09-21 15:33:28 · answer #8 · answered by mups mom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may also be a narrowing of the spine fairly common in larger breeds. It doesn't get better either way. Drug therapy can temporarily help the arthritis but there is no cure for either ailment. I'm sorry, we had to put down our 2 year old Dobie because of it.
2006-09-21 15:40:33 · answer #9 · answered by floridian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a friend who used Cetyl M for her dog and it seemed to make a big difference. You can probably do a web search for it. I use it for a horse that has some joint problems, but have never personally used it for a dog. Good luck.
2006-09-21 16:14:55 · answer #10 · answered by dakittenizcozmic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋