rimadyl

Question
Our cavy, Theodore has had either arthritis or paralysis of his hind
quarters for about 4 months. We have seen a vet, an he has prescribed
1/8 tab of 25 mg Rimadyl every other day. His first prescription was
every 3 days, but Theodore spent the third day pretty much immobile, and
complained if you moved him to get him off of the area where he was
voiding(he was also having problems with his feces building up in sack).
He is now moving quite well, but we have to clean his eyes every other
day. He was having the dry eye problem before the Rimadyl. A vet
prescribed eye drops, but they didn't clear up the problem. I have
looked at the Rimadyl dog owners comments, and the vet seemed concerned
about side effects. We have not noticed any, and he has been on the
pills for about 5 weeks. Is there any other treatment that we should be
using for the paralysis, and should we be doing something other that
wiping his eyes out with a wet tissue to remove the hardened matter? He
is about 4 years old, and he and his buddy Roosevelt live in a 2 foot by 4 foot
plastic cage with pine chips on the bottom). Thanks.";  

Answer
Gordon --

Well, I'm not a vet, but here are some answers for you (from experience.)  Did your vet give you a reason for the paralysis?  I'm not familiar with the medication he prescribed, but if he gave a diagnosis, that would be helpful in treatment.  Offhand, the only thing I can think of that causes paralysis of the hindquarters is wasting disease -- has he lost weight?  If you wouldn't mind, this information would be helpful.  However, it sounds as though you're doing the right thing with his eyes.  Just keep wiping them out with a moist, warm cloth.

Hope this information is helpful.  I can be more specific if I know what the vet diagnosed.  Feel free to write back with more questions at any time.  Good luck!

Lorena