Rimadyl and Liver Failure

[joc11647]

Our 11 year old shepard mix, Penny, was taken to the vet in Orlando Thursday, October 17th due to probable liver failure. She had tarry stools, rust color urine but was mobile and could get around on her own and had no problem jumping up on the beds and carring on almost as usual. She seemed like she was just getting old. Penny was not arthritic and did not have any other health problems that we are aware of.

Doctors at the Orlando clinic confirmed her liver failure using
ultrasound and other tests.

We were given our options but we choose to let her go without any further intervention. The doctors said that she could live another 2 months. We were concerned about her pain so they prescribed Rimadyl. Of course we did not know anything about Rimadyl.

Penny was put down within 48 hours since she lost all of her ability to stand, walk or perform any other body functions. A 180 change in such a short time.

My questions are; 1) Is Rimadyl normally prescribed for dogs already in liver failure? 2) Did we contribute to our dogs premature death by giving her Rimadyl as instructed?.

Please help if anyone can.

John and Peggy Cannon

[robinh]

I am so sorry to hear about your Penny. Please accept my sincere sympathy with the passing of your family member and best friend.

I don't know if this is helpful, but the only side effects I could find before putting our dog on it talked about diarrhea and vomiting.

Our Peach has a degenerative disease of the hips that will eventually end with our having to put her to sleep when she is no longer able to get up. She has had a lot of trouble getting around and the vet told us the Rimadyl would ease her pain and inflammation; it wouldn't make her problem go away, just ease the pain until such time. She's been on the medication for about 4-5 weeks and she seems OK.

[lv4dogs]

I am sorry to hear about you loss of Penny.
I would speek w/ a vet or the rimadyl company.
I do know that one side affect is that is causes liver damage, ussually after long term use. But since she already had liver failure and then it was prescribed it may cause more damage more rapidly. I do know that my vets office does not & never had even carried that product because of the side affects.
Again I am so sorry to hear about penny. I send my sympothy!

[joc11647]

Originally posted by lv4dogs
I am sorry to hear about you loss of Penny.
I would speek w/ a vet or the rimadyl company.
I do know that one side affect is that is causes liver damage, ussually after long term use. But since she already had liver failure and then it was prescribed it may cause more damage more rapidly. I do know that my vets office does not & never had even carried that product because of the side affects.
Again I am so sorry to hear about penny. I send my sympothy!

Thanks for your kind words. My vet sent me to Orlando for consultation because my vet could not perform the ultrasound.

After Penny died I called and spoke with my vets and they had already questioned the rimadyl. Both stated that they would not prescribe rimadyl to any animal with liver problems or one with a history of liver problems. They both said they would choose another pain killer.

I have found instances on the Internet where somewhat healthy animals have died from rimadyl within hours of dosage.

Thanks again...

[tatsxxx11]

Please accept my sympathies on the loss of your beautiful Penny

Rimadyl is notorious for causing liver complications. I can't imagine why a vet would recommend it for a patient with an already compromised liver. Certain breeds, especially Labs are especially prone to liver damage from prolonged use. Even otherwise healthy dogs are usually monitored (blood work) while on it. Although I know it has been known to be of great help to arthritic dogs, my vet very rarely if ever prescribes it.

Bless you dear Penny. No more pain or suffering beautiful girl. I know my Jing is welcoming you at the Rainbow Bridge with open paws.

[KYS]

I am so sorry to hear about Penny.
My heart goes out to you with many
thoughts.

[Sudilar]

I am so very, very sorry for your great loss of Penny to liver failure. My heart goes out to you. My dog, Killian, suffers from liver disease.

Rimadyl should NOT be used on dogs with a compromised liver. Here is some info for you.
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/drimdyl.html

[ownerof3dogs]

First off, I am really sorry to hear about Penny.

I agree with everyone who said that Rimadyl Should not be given to any animal that has a bad liver.

I work at a Animal Hospital and the Vet always does blood work before perscribing Rimadyl to make sure the animal doesn't have liver problems. And if they do... then Rimadyl is not perscribed.

[anna_66]

So sorry to hear about your loss of Penny. I've hear Rimadyl is bad, I can't imagine them prescribing it for a dog that already has liver failure

[K9karen]

Yikes! This is so timely as my GR mix Cody has been on a twice daily dose of Rimydal for about a month. The vet did take blood tests before prescribing it, and I was advised to get blood work done every 3 months. He has hip dysplasia and has developed arthritis in his knees from ACL surgery years ago. The vet said he was very healthy otherwise and since he'll be 11 yrs old, to make him comfortable at this point in his life.. I knew aout the liver damage so I'm scared to death and keep a watchful eye on his body functions. Thanks all for the descriptive warnings. I would never fo anything to harm Cody, of course, but the sight of him sometimes struggling or limping just tears me to pieces. I take arthritis drugs myself and pray for the best, and get bloodwork. I am so very sorry and sad to read about Penny. My heart goes out to you. I just perish the thought and can't pretend to imagine what you went through. Poor baby. You have my sincere condolences.

[Sudilar]

Karen, as long as the bloodwork is constantly checked and you watch diligently for signs, Cody should be ok. Sometimes certain drugs are necessary for the quality of life. Good luck to you and dear Cody!

[K9karen]

Whew! Thanks Sue, as always. I trust my vets so I can just keep my fingers crossed. I would do anything for that boy,

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Karen, when Kona our first Schnauzer was 15 she had terrible painful Arthritis and the Army Vet prescribed Rimydal for her. She had cataracts, arthritis, was very ill. We gave her the Rimydal for a year and it perked her up where she could hardly get up and walk, she was doing a little trot around the yard, she did well on it for that year, then she went down hill and we had to put her to sleep, but I don't believe it was because of the medication, she was ill and it was her time. So I think there are two sides to the story. I don't believe if she had Liver problems they would have given it to her, I wouldn't think that was a good thing to do. They did do blood tests on her also. I'm not saying Rimydal is good or bad, I'm just saying it did help our Kona have a better quality of life during that year.

John and Peggy Cannon please accept my sympathies in the loss of Penny, I'm sure she was very special and as Sandra says, she is at the Rainbow Bridge with our beloved pets who went before her and making friends.
Jackie