How do people feel about Rimadyl these days?

[Popcorn]

Hello All,

When I last was in into the world of pharmacueticals for senior, stiff newfies, it was about ten years ago. With my previous two senior newfs they both eventually went on rimadyl and were on it (with blood monitering for liver issues) for each about two years every day. It made a huge difference -- allowed them to function. We had no complications.

Now I am realizing my old gal Momo probably would benefit from something for her stiffness. She is a small newf, a rescue. I estimate her age to be 12 or 13. No health issues currently. However, I notice she's lying in bed more, seems to groan more when I give her a message ... (like as in ... I really, really need this), and is having about 50% more difficulty getting up or using the stairs, though she can still do both OK.

Is Rimadyl still something that people use? What do people like? Is it still wicked costly, or have they developed a generic.

Thank you so much. I feel sad that it's that time again, when I start to add pharmaceuticals to prolong their ease and their lives. But she's had a great life since she has been with us.

I *will* investigate acupuncture (worked great with one of my other newfs), but right now the logistics of life make it very hard to get to weekly appointments some 40 minutes away. So I will have to wait til summer when have some more time.

Thank you so much ... I rely on my fellow Newfy people to steer me straight on matters such as these...

 

[Jeannie]

I prefer Previcox over Rimadyl. It is easier on the stomach. Both are Nsaids but I think Previcox is a bit more advanced and safer. Previcox is more expensive but they can take less and get results.

 

[janices]

Try Tricox and see if it benefits:
http://tricoxsoftchews.com/
Tricox is a non-NSAID. I have my old girl on it and she's done well. It's combined with acupuncture and chiro. Our schedule was acupuncture once a week for 1 month, then to every 2 weeks.

 

[Angela]

You could try Microlactin, that is all Gracie takes and she is 14 yr and 1 month.

 

[Jager's Mom]

We used Meloxicam for Jager's cancer.

 

[Bailey Boy]

We use Deramaxx it seems to work best for my babies. Previcox really messed up Tootsie and Bailey's stomachs and Rimadyl still scares me for some reason.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

I would try Microlactin as mentioned. Rimadyl is still used successfully depending on how well the dog tolerates it.

 

[jane]

You could try Microlactin, that is all Gracie takes and she is 14 yr and 1 month.

I'm with Angela! Microlactin works very well.

 

[Lori]

Microlactin helps a lot but you need to do a loading dose phase so maybe while you're doing that you can try one of the newer pain meds. I've had good luck with Tramadol and Metacam. Tramadol is not an NSAID and has a good dosing range. Some dogs can get a little sleepy when they first start out on it. I used the liquid form of Metacam which worked great. I could maintain him on a lower dose but when he was feeling bad I could go a little higher. It is an NSAID so you need to watch liver values. I gave SAM-e and milk thistle to help cleanse the liver.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

We never have tried Rimadyl. I recently started Snuffles on Deramaxx on a regular bases. I started 100 mg for a few days, then about 75 for a week or so, now a 100 mg every other day. So far he seems to be doing better. But then that is not your question.

We baby sat a 10 year old 110 pound male Landseer for a week plus. When we did a test stay with the newf here, he was not on Rimadyl on a regular bases, and he did not want to walk much. Then the owner started a tablet and a half every 2 1/2 days, and he did MUCH better, but when he stayed here for the week plus, I noticed as we got into the last 1/2 day he was slowing down. So I increased the dosage with the owners permission to every 2 days, and he did well.

My friend's basset hound is also on Rimadyl, and she seems to be moving fairly well considering she is 13 and has had back surgery I think 2 times because she loss use of her back legs.

 

[Popcorn]

Gosh, these are a lot of drugs I haven't heard of. I've an appointment Friday night. Thank you for giving me a whole bunch of things to research before I go In!

The only one I recognize is tramadol -- I believe it's a narcotic analogue? I have some here from when one of my Newfs had severe arthritis. We didn't try it long because it made her so doped up. I might give it a whirl with Momo, at a low dose.

I've heard the name microlactin... It's an OTC?

I'm still not sure what is going on. She's walking less fluidly, but not limping. She seems to be less interested in going upstairs or getting up. I don't necessarily see pain.

I wondered if it might be a neuropathy ?

Thank you all so much.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

I would investigate some non-drug options first, like the microlactin. You can buy it on amazon. It's a supplement. Start slow so her tummy gets used to it. Do you also give fish oil and gluc/chond? Those things help too.

Maggie has severe arthritis from an un-repaired CCL (yuck!) so we do use meds for her now.

We tried Rimadyl first but she had severe diarrhea from it. I chose not to try Previcox as a good friend had recently lost their Mastiff due to side effects. We started with the liquid (pet version) Meloxicam which was wonderful. However, it costs about $1/mL so its very expensive. I could easily titrate the does to her activity level though.

We have been using the human version (tablet) of meloxicam for the last 8 months and she's doing great. We give her a 1/2 dose (using a pill cutter) daily, unless she's going to daycare or we are going to be really active, then she gets a full.

It's one of the safest NSAID's. We have her blood work checked twice a year just to be sure and she's been totally fine so far (18+ months on it).

 

[NewfieMama]

Cooper does not tolerate Rimadyl but Zuzu did fine on it. She is young so we switched her to Meloxicam which the vet liked somewhat better and which can be purchased in a human prescription for much less $.

Lots of other good suggestions above; a couple more to consider are Adequan (injections) and Trixsyn (supplement).

 

[Popcorn]

Thank you both, too. I am going to print out this thread. Our vet appointment was postponed because I got sick. Will let you know what happens. I haven't rescheduled until after the holidays. My gal is doing fairly well-- it is borderline in my mind if she needs it. That is part of what I want to ask the vet about.

I hear you all about OTC nutritional supplements. I did just get the sockeye, and have started that for her.

I am so reluctant to give anything -- but I want her quality of life to be good.

 

[Popcorn]

Hello, just an update. My vet still uses Rimadyl as his go-to on arthritis. And we had success with our previous newfs on Rimadyl, each of them taking it for multiple years.

So Momo is on Rimadyl, and tolerates it well. After a few weeks of taking it, it has really made a difference. We also have tramadol (synthetic opiate) to use as needed. It doesn't seem to make her sleepy as it had in the past with other newfs I've had.

But so far, the rimadyl seems to be working very well.

 

[Codes]

In addition to Sockeye Salmon oil for my oldsters, 1 other supplement I absolutely, positively swear by is Young At Heart.
http://k9power.com/k9-young-at-heart.html

I have Daria, Maia and Faith on this wonderful supplement. I'm Certain we would have lost Daria long ago if she were not on it. I came close recently when I stupidly ran out of this stuff and I could see her noticably sliding downhill. Couple days back on the supplement and she is back to herself. Sure she's slowing down (she'll be 10 next month) but she's still getting around well and does so well on this supplement that I will make sure I never run out of it again. Since I have 3 gals on it, I order the 30# bucket and It typically takes 1 week for it arrive. The smaller buckets arrive in a couple days. I figured Daria would be OK without the supplement for a week. WRONG!! Next time I'll place an order when we're down to half a bucket.