Question
Kula
My 2.5 y.o. Golden Retriever has had two surgeries for Elbow Dysplasia in her right elbow but still has extreme pain due to severe arthritic degeneration in the joint and her surgeon is suggesting yet ANOTHER surgery to redistribute the load in the joint from the "damaged" medial side to the lateral side of the elbow (Sliding Humeral Osteotomy). Further, he says that the left elbow now has a fragment and I should consider surgery on that elbow as well. The first two surgeries to remove fragments in the right elbow have, obviously, not had the greatest results, considering I am still facing the prospect of putting her through yet ANOTHER surgery. However, the SHO surgery will not eliminate the arthritis that is already present in the right elbow, nor will it prevent further degeneration. As I contemplate my options and seek second and third opinions, I have obtained a prescription for Rimadyl to ease some of her pain in the meantime. Her surgeon prescribed it and we began the medicine on December 24. She is doing GREAT and I feel like she can live an almost-normal life if she has this relatively slight level of pain.
However... I am concerned about leaving her on this medication for too extended a period of time. I know that you may not be give me a definitive answer and, rest assured, I will have her liver/blood work checked by her vet. But I am wondering if you have had any experience that would provide me with an idea of whether I should not have her on the medication for this long (about 30 days at this time), or if it is common enough that dogs take it for this long and longer. She has had no side effects like intestinal/digestive problems, loss of appetite, etc.
I appreciate any insight you can provide me. Thank you.
AnswerOh this is so sad, so sad indeed. Bad breeding and you get this gorgeous dog with all of these problems. It just breaks my heart.
I think that you can keep her on the Rimadyl for 30 days at a time but there are some much better pain relievers out there now Kerry. I would try her on Previcox or one of the other NSAIDS that are available now. Rimadyl is not good for their liver as you know, so why risk it when the other ones could be safer in the long run.
I have my dog on Duramaxx when she needs it for her hip but she doesn't get it daily.
I think the common thinking now is to change out the medications for safety and to prevent an tolerance to it, meaning she would need more and more to achieve some relief. Duramaxx is also a cox 2 inhibitor (like celebrex was in people, only better). It is prescribed for long term usage for osteoarthritis.
Other things you can do for her is put her on some food made just for her issues, J/D prescription diet is the first diet that has been shown to relieve joint pain and mobility issues.
That coupled with the NSIADS could really help Kula. I would ask your vet about getting her on a trial bag of the dry food for a month or two. See if it helps. It won't hurt anything. It is formulated to help the joints with EPA and carnitine, this diet has helped thousands of dogs reclaim a happy, healthy and comfortable life.
http://www.hillspet.com/products/prescription-diet/pd-canine-jd-canine-dry.html
Here is a site that has stories on it of how these foods have helped real owners pets just like Kula.
http://www.feedingisbelieving.com/believe/home.html
And here is one just about J/D.
http://www.hillspet.com/hillspet/minisite/minisite.hjsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=14...
I hope that you can find more relief for her. I would be skeptical about any more surgeries if what she has had hasn't helped. Have you checked with other vets or seen an osteopath (veterinary of course) for her? If you have a veterinary teaching university in your state I would also contact them for some alternatives.
Good luck and please let me know how your beautiful girl does.
------------------o0o--------------------------
Kerry,
please note that I am not a vet, not a doctor, but I am a Registered Veterinary Technician. I do not diagnose, only suggest and steer people to find or seek options.
Most of that time the main one I encourage is to call their own vet!
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