Rimadyl for arthritis???

[CathyBogart]

I have a dog who has been on Rimadyl for more than two years now. We have his liver enzymes checked three times a year. If there were ever any indication that the medication might be affecting his liver we would have them checked more frequently. So far, no problems.

He's had problems with limping since we adopted him, due to an injury of unknown origin that healed poorly and went arthritic before he was part of our family. The Rimadyl helps tremendously. He only limps now if he exercises excessively. (Meaning regular walks are fine, but the day I took him on a five-mile hike he was sore afterwards)

For unknown reasons, Labs seem to be the most susceptible to liver problems from Rimadyl, but I have seen in successfully used in labs, as long as the doctor and the owner are both aware of the risk and are cautious when starting the pet on rimadyl.

[Freedom]

the rescue with which I volunteer cites "the senior dog study" as finding that older dogs were more likely to have side effects on Rimadyl. So we volunteers are not reimbursed if we get that for the dogs, for any reason, as a pain reliever. We are told to ask for Tramadol, or Metacam. Both also have side effects, but did well in "the senior dog study."

I don't know any more than that. I've tried to google "senior dog study," haven't found it. But as I need reimbursement, I just follow their guidelines. (I have time and love to offer, not so much money.)

When Marlin had his dental work done, with 38 extractions, the Tramadol did not help his pain, so we switched him to Metacam. From what I've read, that is supposed to be among the strongest NSAIDs,and it DID help him.

I routinely ask for this for all my dogs, now.

[Catlady711]

When Marlin had his dental work done, with 38 extractions, the Tramadol did not help his pain, so we switched him to Metacam. From what I've read, that is supposed to be among the strongest NSAIDs,and it DID help him.

There is a big difference between Metacam (NSAID) and Tramadol (narcotic opioid AKA Ultram). Metacam is better to be used long term. Our hospital tends to use Tramadol more along the lines of pet hospice medicine, it's what Dusty was on the last part of her life.

[pomtzu]

Both of my dogs are on the glucosamine/chrondroitin complex and it has worked very well for them. It takes several months to see any results, and even their vet feels this is a better way to go if it works for the particular animal, rather than some of the other drugs available that can have side effects. Another plus is that you can buy it over the counter and it isn't pricey.