topic Re: Rimadyl in Pet Lovers

Rimadyl

Renata22 — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 20:40:17 GMT

Anyone have any experience with a dog on rimadyl? Mine has been on it for pain from a cancerous tumor. The tumor was removed but caused damage to the surrounding tissues and ongoing pain. He's been on it steady for about 2 weeks and today he has severe diarrhea & is very lethargic. I have some meds to stop the diarrhea. I am thinking he might not be able to take rimadyl anymore. I don't know what we will use for pain. The vet says there is a similiar alternative that sometimes works. Just wondering if anyone has any experience with this?

Thanks.

Re: Rimadyl

Twoaces — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 20:59:07 GMT

I’m so sorry that you are going through this. My lab mix was on Rymadyl for cancer pain a few years ago and fortunately had no issues with it. A couple of thoughts: ask the vet if a lower dose could alleviate still symptoms while also relieving pain. And, If your vet thinks another medication might work, and maybe combined with something else?, it would be worth a try. For me, quality of life with pets tops everything. Wishing you the best with your dear dog.

Re: Rimadyl

m0rgan — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 20:59:51 GMT

Rimadyl did not work for my dog. She was so spacey and got diahrea also. Every time I went to the vet I had to remind him no rimadyl. I felt so sorry for her, just wasn't able to keep her balance either. Awful stuff. I don't remember what he gave her in place of rimadyl. Just if she has pain on another visit remind the vet no rimadyl because it is their go to pain reliever.

Re: Rimadyl

LisaRN — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 21:06:28 GMT

I'm sorry to hear about your dog. We have used Rimadyl in the past with several of our dogs and if I remember correctly ony 1 of our dogs had issue with it. We have also used Tramadol which is a "person" pain medication and Duramax with great pain relief from both for you dogs.

Re: Rimadyl

SilleeMee — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 21:12:30 GMT

One of my goldens had cancer and she was on Rimadyl everyday for the last several months of her life. She would have otherwise suffered with a lot of pain. She seemed to be fine with taking it.

Re: Rimadyl

Twoaces — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 21:12:38 GMT

after reading the previous post, I suggest asking your vet specifically about Duramax and Tramadol. I have learned that I need to be proactive and that neither doctors nor vets have all the answers right at their fingertips. You and the vet are a team in caring for your dog.

Re: Rimadyl

SurferWife — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 21:24:19 GMT

Years ago my little Pekingese was on it and it made a world of difference. He went from being a lethargic senior dog to a little puppy almost overnight. I never noticed any negative side effects. That sweet little boy lived 14 years. He crossed the rainbow bridge back in 2003 and his memory crosses my mind almost daily to this day.

Re: Rimadyl

Vivian — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 22:51:25 GMT

My 11 1/2;year old beagle is on Gabapentin. Her soft tissue sarcoma has grown back after surgery and chemo. The vet told us that this medication is well tolerated by most dogs and relaxes them. There are analgesic benefits too. My beagle seems to be doing well on it. We'll stay with it for as long as we have our pup..

Re: Rimadyl

cindyNC — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 23:39:53 GMT

Years ago, I used Rimadyl with my aging greyhound. My vet always made sure we did bloodwork every couple months to check for either liver or kidney damage - can't remember exactly which one.

Re: Rimadyl

Linmo — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 23:46:55 GMT

@Renata22 Ask your vet about Piroxicam. It is another NSAID that provides pain relief. Gabapentin can also be given for pain relief, but isn't an anti-inflammatory. It can be given in conjunction with an NSAID.

Re: Rimadyl

CrazyDaisy — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 01:14:19 GMT

Had my girl on it for arthritis, made a world of difference. It is an anti inflammatory, my vet compared it to a dogs version of Advil. Might want to talk to your vet if it is not working for you.

Re: Rimadyl

Renata22 — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 02:32:19 GMT

Thank you so much, everyone. I really appreciate your opinions. I have tried tramadol on him & it doesn’t relieve the pain. I have gabepentin & will try that. His stomach seems a little better tonight. I’m just afraid to try the rimadyl again. He’s in pain so I hope & pray this helps.
Thanks again.

Re: Rimadyl

candys mine — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 03:21:23 GMT

@m0rganInteresting. My sisters dog never had a problem with Rimadyl but GABAPENTIN made her so unsteady she couldn't stand up.

Rimadyl CAN cause liver problems and GI problems. If the dog is having Diarrhea best to call the Vet for advice.

Re: Rimadyl

Linmo — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 05:29:14 GMT

@candys mine Gabapentin can cause a sedative effect. My 60+ pound older dog was on it for awhile and the vet had to adjust the dose to about 25% of what was originally prescribed for his weight.

Re: Rimadyl

Desert Lily — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 03:41:27 GMT

My dog was given Rimadyl after a dental procedure and she nearly died. She had bloody diarrhea, could not keep any food in, was lethargic, and dehydrating. @Renata22 If your dog has any of these signs, I would STOP giving him Rimadyl and call the vet asap. There are govt. websites that tell about side effects of vet Rx's.

My dog ended up in the vet hospital, getting IV's, and couldn't leave until she could digest food again. IMO, some of the vet drugs should either be taken off the vet market or severely narrowed for use.

Re: Rimadyl

Renata22 — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 05:27:16 GMT

@Desert Lily So sorry you went through that with your baby. I am very leary of giving it again. He tolerated it so well and then he didn't feel well yesterday and this morning it was just awful. He slept all day today and now he is up crying. I hope to have him get sleep along with me but there have been those nights we don't sleep at all. He cries all night. It's very tiring for both of us. I was up with him at 430 this morning and haven't rested much since then. Would be trying to sleep now if not for the crying. At least the diarrhea is gone, thank God. Now I just have to figure out how to get his pain gone without the rimadyl. He has gabepentin and tramadol and also benadryl in him because he was so itchy. Hopefully something will help him.

It helps to come here and read what others have gone through with their babies. Just knowing there are lots of others who care for their furry loved ones is very encouraging. So glad these boards are still open.

Re: Rimadyl

Desert Lily — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 05:30:51 GMT

@Renata22 Perhaps it would help to contact a different vet tomorrow for your fur baby.

Re: Rimadyl

Renata22 — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 05:36:19 GMT

@Desert Lily We have been with the same vet for most of our lives and then he up and retired. The transition hasn't always been smooth but I do like the one we have now. He's in the same clinic as our other vet. I do wish I could find a cancer specialist for my baby in this area.

Re: Rimadyl

Desert Lily — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 05:45:10 GMT

A warning on Rimadyl had said that if a dog has had a reaction to another similar drug, don't give the dog Rimadyl. My dog had quivered & vomited on the other drug, and I told the vet Not to give her Rimadyl. He did anyway he said "because [he] thought she needed it." I never went back to that vet again, even though both my dogs had always gone to him. I don't think all vets understand the seriousness of the meds they give animals.

I reached out and found a better vet.

I can't write about this anymore because it reminds me of how my fur baby suffered needlessly from the first vet's poor judgement and it still hurts to remember.

Re: Rimadyl

Ainhisg — Sun, 09 Jan 2022 11:50:05 GMT

No suggestions, but I really feel for you and the others who have posted. If only our fur babies could tell us exactly what is wrong and how they are feeling! And, of course, these things always happen on a weekend or holiday.

We've given generic Rimadyl to all our dogs at different times. Some have tolerated it well for a good length of time and others? Not so much. Thank goodness the one that really needed it for cancer pain tolerated it. We give it to one of ours right now as needed for arthritis pain. Our other one has to have it occasionally for different things, and after a few days on it, I get so nervous, because it does upset his stomach and his BM's are loose. We are now seeing a new vet, and I think that should he require being on the drug in the future long-term, once we explain his issue, she will have other meds we can try. And the new office has one of the vets on call at all times and offers emergency vet services, so we feel blessed that we found them!