my 18 year old lab is taking dexamethasone, for arthritis in his lower back.?

Question

i got a second opinion from another vet. my dog was on deramax. the vet i was going to didnt test my dogs blood before putting him on deramax he tested him 6 weeks later and he only tested for 1 liver enzyme. the vet i switched to said there is more than one enzyme.my dog had a complete blood work up and they are elevated so we are tring dexamethasone he is also taking denosyl for his liver.for the past 2 days my dog has been wetting his bed and seems to have to go out more often.i am hoping once the steriods kick in this will stop.when i was giving him deramax every other day he would wet the bed.i am so happy i listened to the little voice in my head that said go to another vet because the one you are going to is either stupid and/or just doesnt care about your dog because he is old.

Answer 1

Well I am sorry that you had a bad experience with a vet. I know I have had the same sort of thing happen and trust me you dont want to get me started on that vet. Well the steroids may already be working because when they are on steroids they eat more and drink more thus it makes thempee more than usual. This could be why he is wetting the bed. This is one of the "bad" side effects of steroids that and the ravenous hunger. It sounds like your current vet is on the right track for keeping your dog as healthy as he can be for his age. However most arthritis medicines for dogs do effect the liver and kidneys which is why whe had our dogs that were on meds like the above mentioned ones come in at least every 6 months to have bloodwork done to see all of their major organ functions. Unfortunately because of what damage may have already been done your dog may never "fully recover" from the damage but can be maintained for quite a while. I hope you have the vet problem sorted out and I hope your dog gets better. If you have any other questions or want to know about my same experience with a stupid vet email me. Good luck

Answer 2

I even have an 11 year previous lab/coonhound mixture, and he has hipdysplasia and arthritis. it fairly is a persevering with conflict. We replaced his mattress to between the 6inch memory foam canines beds. It has helped make it greater handy for him to upward thrust up and down and keeps him off the floor so he would not get chilly or stiff. We additionally save a radiator heater on low next to his mattress interior the iciness. We additionally provide him joint suppliment (glucosamine/ c ) on a daily basis and espresso infant asprin. I additionally rub him down on a daily basis. And we use arnica wraps whilst he has been enjoying fetch interior the backyard lots or attempting to wrestle with our year previous puppy. the different element we do is provide arnica internally on relatively undesirable days (yet warning: Arnica is a heart stimulate in large doses, so purely use it in the experience that your canines has no heart subject concerns.) We additionally do swim therapy interior the summertime whilst the lake is heat. This facilitates him artwork the joints with help. Your vet might advise a place that has an indoor puppy pool. save the strolling... it is large for conserving the joints from stiffening. wish this facilitates.