(I'm afraid to do this...) Ask a Dog or Cat question

[MasterPaladin]

pictures of my babies acn be seen here http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?p=2099658&posted=1#post2099658

 

[desdemona]

question. I have a 14 year old dog with very bad hind legs he falls a lot and has a real hard time getting up. He was prescribed Eto Gesic 300 mg and take 1 and 1/2 tablets daily my question is is that dangerous to give him all the time every day. I usually give him 1 advil a day what do you suggest

I'm sorry to hear about your furry friend's problems. Etogesic is a powerful pain reliever. We don't use it much because it had too many unwanted side effects 🙁 Your vet should be telling you to have blood work checked at least once a year to monitor his kidneys, his liver, and his red blood cells.

DO NOT GIVE ADVIL!! I repeat... NO ADVIL! Ibuprofen is a big no no in dogs. It hurts the kidneys. I'd recommend a vet check if the falling over is new. It may not be merely arthritis - it may be something neurologic. And I'm sorry if I sound melodramatic. I'm sure your dog has been tolerating the Advil...but I've seen dogs go into kidney failure from overdosing it or acute toxicity. Also, do not give Advil if you are giving him the Etogesic. That would be like taking bufferin with ibuprofen (yeah, I know people who do it...but you're just asking for stomach ulcers). It would be different if you were mixing different types of pain medication - tylenol would be different (do NOT give unless your vet tells you to). I would ask about tramadol - we're using it in dogs with chronic pain. It's a codeine derivative, but I usually don't see drowsiness in my patients.

 

[desdemona]

Um... Well, this one may be REALLY gross, so... I apologize profusely. D:

But I have this cat... she seems kind of low on the intelligence scale in that she doesn't seem to know how to properly go to the bathroom. >_>; She's long-haired and she has poop all over her behind. Her tail actually ROTTED OFF a couple weeks ago. She still has crap matted to her fur, but she seems to be doing a lot better now that she's not dragged the dead weight behind her... but what the heck can I do for her? o___O She's pretty wild; I can't get close... I don't know what to do about her. She's disgusting, she stinks to high heaven, she doesn't really do anything productive--not that the other cats really do either, but at least they can manage to keep themselves clean... I'm just tired of looking at her. ><

Here's the thing - she may not have control of her sphincter. She may have no motor or sensory function in back. This can occur with a broken tail. She may also not have control of urinating either. If she starts falling over...or again, she is getting to the unhygenic stage, you may have to make that ultimate decision for her sake. It may not be her fault (mentally that is).

 

[desdemona]

Who would win a fight; a pack of wolves or a pride of lions? (wild dogs and cats so this question should count 😀 )

Well, wolves surround their prey on the ground... lions (and btw, it's only the lionesses who hunt) go from above if possible. I'd give the lions the upper hand (I'm slightly biased...females and cats rule, dogs drool 😉 Seriously, the sheer weight of the paw of a lion would kill a wolf. While the wolf's teeth may do some damage, the lioness's jaws would crush a wolf's skull. And I don't think the claws are really much comparison either. So hands down, my vote goes to the kitties.

 

[desdemona]

pictures of my babies acn be seen here http://www.ticklingforum.com/showthread.php?p=2099658&posted=1#post2099658

What a nice crew! You shave your 14 year old? For the summer I suppose? Is he husky or malamute? He almost looks to be a wolf hybrid. And a Yorkie thrown in?? My goodness, how do you keep them all in NYC??

 

[Mz Chaos]

I have an older large dog.

His hips have gotten to the point that I am giving him buffered asprin. For a couple of years he has only needed them during the winter months. Now though, it seems he needs them every day. In order for them to have any effect on his size I give him three St. Joe's baby asprin.

That has worked up until now but I notice that he is still limping a couple of hours later, which is something he never used to do on them.

What pill is the next step up and what should the dosage be? He's a 12 year old St. Bernard / Burnese Mountain Dog cross and about 140 pounds.

I know that I should probably take him to the vet... but jeez... He's a large dog... it's his hips... I don't want to pay out the nose for them to tell me what I already know... I just need to know what pill would work the best for him.

 

[desdemona]

I have an older large dog.

His hips have gotten to the point that I am giving him buffered asprin. For a couple of years he has only needed them during the winter months. Now though, it seems he needs them every day. In order for them to have any effect on his size I give him three St. Joe's baby asprin.

That has worked up until now but I notice that he is still limping a couple of hours later, which is something he never used to do on them.

What pill is the next step up and what should the dosage be? He's a 12 year old St. Bernard / Burnese Mountain Dog cross and about 140 pounds.

I know that I should probably take him to the vet... but jeez... He's a large dog... it's his hips... I don't want to pay out the nose for them to tell me what I already know... I just need to know what pill would work the best for him.

So I assume he's basically got hip dysplasia/arthritis? The baby aspirin isn't bad...but for a dog his size, extra strength bufferin (500mg) twice a day would be best. You're giving him about half that. Look for enteric coated or ascriptin (it has Maalox in it so it's easier on the stomach) at your pharmacy.

Other alternatives (and some of these can be found at your local pharmacy, some you can search for online) include Glucosamine/Chondroitin (comes in many forms), Hyaluronic Acid, or even Accupuncture. Veterinary formulas for the above: Cosequin or Glycoflex (we use Cosequin at our clinic), and Adequan (it's an injectable, so you may have to go to the vet to get this - it can be pricey, but it's safe). The G/C products are neutraceuticals - meaning nutritional supplements, not drugs. Adequan is technically a drug, but I haven't seen any side effects so far in my patients. Accupuncture I've seen/heard good things for those large dogs who don't tolerate drugs.

For arthritis that doesn't respond to over the counter products, you're usually looking at trying one of the prescription NSAID's: Rimadyl, Etogesic (see MasterPaladin's post), Zubrin, Metacam, Deramaxx, or Previcox. Yep, there's a ton of them out there. In order, I use Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Previcox, Metacam, then Zubrin. Some do better for others. If I have a dog who's still refractory, I either add in Tramadol (Ultram is the trade name) - it's a human drug, codeine derivative, non-controlled, and the 50mg size is usually cheap at most pharmacies. Otherwise, for those who still don't respond, I break out Tylenol with Codeine (for your baby, that would be Tylenol-4). It's a controlled drug, not cheap, has to be given every 6-8 hr...and is very hard on the liver. I usually reserve it for dogs I know are going to have surgery or have some intractable pain like bone cancer. It's a short term solution for chronic pain.

I hope this helps. Good luck! BTW, it's not only colder weather that affects the joints - damp weather does the same thing.

 

[MasterPaladin]

the 14 year old shaved one is a long hair akita he weighs in at 90 lbs. we did take him to the vet he said the dog has very bad arthritis he also has a tumor in his scrotum. He advised that the dogs life expectancy is 12 so at 14 just try to keep him comfortable , but we have a stoop so he has to go down stairs to get outside thats the biggest prob because with my back lol (we are all a mess) I can't carry him up. I have 4 broken vertibrea a crushed disc a compressed one and one is deformed.
The black and white one is only 4 months old he is a Siberian Husky.

 

[Mz Chaos]

So I assume he's basically got hip dysplasia/arthritis? The baby aspirin isn't bad...but for a dog his size, extra strength bufferin (500mg) twice a day would be best. You're giving him about half that. Look for enteric coated or ascriptin (it has Maalox in it so it's easier on the stomach) at your pharmacy.

I was afraid to go stronger with the asprin. I know that a long time ago someone told me that too much asprin was bad for a dog so I have been afraid to go stronger with that.

Thanks to your suggestions... maybe now I can get the right stuff and my best friend won't be hurting as badly. I have arthritis (in my knees and hips) as well and I know the pain he must be feeling which makes me even more sensitive to his uncomfort.

I hope this helps. Good luck! BTW, it's not only colder weather that affects the joints - damp weather does the same thing.

And I live in the part of Ohio that seems to get a lot of damp weather. Which would explain why he's hurting all the time. You'd have thought that my brain cells would have kicked in and realized that with both of us having arthritis, when and why I hurt is exactly the same reason why and when he hurts.

You have been a great help. I'll let you know how well he responds to a new med as soon as I run out and get them. Thanks!

the 14 year old shaved one is a long hair akita he weighs in at 90 lbs. we did take him to the vet he said the dog has very bad arthritis he also has a tumor in his scrotum. He advised that the dogs life expectancy is 12 so at 14 just try to keep him comfortable , but we have a stoop so he has to go down stairs to get outside thats the biggest prob because with my back lol (we are all a mess) I can't carry him up. I have 4 broken vertibrea a crushed disc a compressed one and one is deformed.

Yeah... there's steps here too. I have been entertaining the idea of building him a ramp. It shouldn't cost all that much and would help him out so much.

 

[desdemona]

I was afraid to go stronger with the asprin. I know that a long time ago someone told me that too much asprin was bad for a dog so I have been afraid to go stronger with that.

Thanks to your suggestions... maybe now I can get the right stuff and my best friend won't be hurting as badly. I have arthritis (in my knees and hips) as well and I know the pain he must be feeling which makes me even more sensitive to his uncomfort.



And I live in the part of Ohio that seems to get a lot of damp weather. Which would explain why he's hurting all the time. You'd have thought that my brain cells would have kicked in and realized that with both of us having arthritis, when and why I hurt is exactly the same reason why and when he hurts.

You have been a great help. I'll let you know how well he responds to a new med as soon as I run out and get them. Thanks!

You're quite welcome. Aspirin in general can carry the same problems as in people - gastric ulcers being number one. If I have a patient who doesn't tolerate the medication, I usually suggest an antacid like Pepcid or Tagamet to go with it. Giving it with food can't hurt either. I started taking the Glucosamine/Chondroitin when I saw how well some of my patients did with it - and my joints didn't creak/pop so much (as I often have to get down on the floor for the 140lb puppies!).

Thanks for asking, folks. Seriously, I take the earnest questions to heart. We all want to do what we can to extend the lives of our pets (and the quality of it for them). So all jokes aside (yeah, I knew I was going to invite a few bird-brains in...Kered...cough), I'm happy to offer any insight I can. Best course of action is always going to be see or ask your vet. He/She should be willing to help - and should be your pet's best advocate (the longer your pet lives, the better he/she looks and the better for business - sorry if that sounds cold!). I know it's hard to find time in our busy schedules and it's not always the cheapest alternative. I still take the time to answer my clients' questions when I can.

 

[Mz Chaos]

Ya know... a few years ago... and I have no idea why I stopped... I would hit the vet up for a large container of MSM. They sell it in stores, but the stuff you get from the vet is more pure. It was working well for my knees combined with the Glucosamine Chondroitin. I took what I called the horsey dose because the dog dose wasn't enough.

The late James Colburn swore on it's help for his rheumatoid arthritis.

I hesitate to use it in my dogs water though because of it's bitterness. How do you view this and do you have a better way to suggest giving it to him. It'd wouldn't do me any harm to get back on that same routine and in a way would be kinda cool sharing my meds with my big guy.

 

[desdemona]

Ya know... a few years ago... and I have no idea why I stopped... I would hit the vet up for a large container of MSM. They sell it in stores, but the stuff you get from the vet is more pure. It was working well for my knees combined with the Glucosamine Chondroitin. I took what I called the horsey dose because the dog dose wasn't enough.

The late James Colburn swore on it's help for his rheumatoid arthritis.

I hesitate to use it in my dogs water though because of it's bitterness. How do you view this and do you have a better way to suggest giving it to him. It'd wouldn't do me any harm to get back on that same routine and in a way would be kinda cool sharing my meds with my big guy.

MSM has been touted as good anti-inflammatory relief for some time. I take it it's a powdered form? For horses, to cut the bitterness, we mix it into molasses. I'd do the same for dogs - use honey, applesauce, something to cut the taste.

 

[Bugman]

You must deal with people who refuse to put an anaimal down,even when it would be the humane thing.That must be difficult.How do you deal with it?

 

[desdemona]

You must deal with people who refuse to put an anaimal down,even when it would be the humane thing.That must be difficult.How do you deal with it?

It's not always easy. I find that my staff has the greatest difficulty dealing with it. Sometimes, it's just a matter of the people not quite grasping the pain and suffering the animal will go through. I only get upset when the people act callous to that. We have one client though...he has several elderly dogs with major medical problems. He does not believe in euthanasia. We've all tried various times to discuss it with him - but these were his father's dogs. And he says "I can't kill my dog." It's that simple. He looks at it as murder. Not a mercy killing. But truly, murder. I can't argue with him. I just feel sad for the dogs. And I do everything I can to keep them comfortable until the end.

 

[paracarl44]

Is it true that a cats body temperature is warmer than a humans, and that is why they cuddle up to you when it is cold?

 

[desdemona]

Is it true that a cats body temperature is warmer than a humans, and that is why they cuddle up to you when it is cold?

Cats and dogs both have a body temperature warmer than humans - normally ranging from 101-102 degrees F. My one cat radiates heat - she's great to have on my lap during the colder months but man, in summer...

 

[desdemona]

the 14 year old shaved one is a long hair akita he weighs in at 90 lbs. we did take him to the vet he said the dog has very bad arthritis he also has a tumor in his scrotum. He advised that the dogs life expectancy is 12 so at 14 just try to keep him comfortable , but we have a stoop so he has to go down stairs to get outside thats the biggest prob because with my back lol (we are all a mess) I can't carry him up. I have 4 broken vertibrea a crushed disc a compressed one and one is deformed.
The black and white one is only 4 months old he is a Siberian Husky.

OMG... don't know how I missed this one. But seriously, I always tell the owners of an intact male it is NEVER too late to neuter them. Some testicular tumors are benign. I'd remove those three "tumors" myself 😉

And a ramp is wonderful idea if you can build one or find one in a magazine. It sucks for larger dogs and their owners.... this is why I keep my dog size to what I can physically carry myself.