Your Experiences with Rimadyl?

[spoteet]

I have used Rimadyl for Sajan and Mojo. Sajan's sensitive tummy is upset by it after a few days but that is all. Roxie on the other hand appears to be totally immune to it's effects so we give her Metacam when asparin doesn't do it. Not every drug works on every dog.

[StephanieandToby]

Toby used Rimadyl once (short-term) and it was very effective.On the other hand, my brother's Rottweiler became very sick after only one day on the drug.

[Denise L.]

You folks are the BEST!

Cyrus hasn't shown any ill effects, just no good effects either!

Hopefully we'll get this sorted out soon.

[Brooke&Ryan]

We have used Rimadyl with Julius twice. Both times for about 2-3 days each.

They were both Lyme Disease related. During Julius' first episode with limping the vet thought that he just had a soft tissue injury. They told us crate rest & give Rimadyl. We did & two days later he was perfectly fine.

Then three months later the limp came back...tested for Lyme & it came back positive. He went on Rimadyl for two days & was back to his old self again.

I wouldn't hesitate to use it again...BUT, if it was for an extended period of time (longer than a couple of days), I would look into other alternatives.

I hope that Cyrus feels better soon. It's no fun to see them limping...

Hugs!

Brooke

[ACERSMOM]

I have used rimadyl in the past and it was effective quickly. However I would not use this drug on my dogs anymore due to all of the information regarding the dangerous side effects some dogs experience.

There is a newer drug "Tramadol" that blocks pain receptors and does not have the nasty side effects of the Nsaids that are currently prescribed. Because this drug is relatively new a lot of Vets do not know about it. It is also cheaper than Rimadyl and Deramax. In fact if your Vet prescribes it for your dog, you can pick it up at Walmart as it is also used in humans.

If you need more info go here:

http://vettechs.blogspot.com
http://www.mavistavet.com

[debbiej]

my vet prescribed meloxicam (sp) when Hilda has needed pain relief. once for two weeks while she had hydrotherapy and once for a week when she hurt her shoulder and/or elbow chasing a lizard. It worked very quickly for her.

[alexav]

My 15 year old Chow Chow has been taking Rimadyl routinely with great results and no problems for almost 2 years. Now that's long term!
We did the blood testing and I was surprised that this little stinker, who is allergic to EVERYTHING and has such a sensitive system has never shown a problem with it.
Doc suggested Rimadyl, Deramaxx, or Etogesic as a pain and inflamation control for Bree's knee and although the contraindications concern me terribly, I read the reports and only 1 in 10,000 dogs has a bad reaction to it. Since Bree has had it before with no side effects, Maji' has done so well on it, and I had a ready supply, I chose the big R. Yes, I am watching her like a mama chicken hawk!
Within 8 hours of the first dose, she was already obviously more comfortable. This morning she was ready to take on the world!

Also, I am very sorry to hear that your boy is having to go through this. I hope he returns to good health soon.

[Bocards]

I have used Rimadyl with two differnent dogs. One was allergic to it and had to rushed bakc to the vet. The other used it for a long period of time for her hip displasia (sp?). I think it just depends on the dog.

Good Luck,
Bo

[JD102175]

Brodie was on Rimadyl for a week or so when he hurt his hip (before we knew about his HD) and it really didn't do much for him. He was switched to Deramaxx after that and there was a great improvement. The only problem we had with the Deramaxx is that we couldn't give Brodie both the Deramaxx and his Gluco/Chondro pill at the same time, it upset his tummy if we did. So the Deramaxx was given at night just before bedtime.

Jaime

[calebmyboy]

I used it for less than a week on Chase a few months ago, within a few days he was throwing up liquid with small chunks of blood, diahrea with blood, lethargic and wouldn't eat.

We did the blood work before and after so knew what we were dealing with.

It took him a couple months to get back to normal, and I have never been so afraid at any time in my life, I knew that any time I could still lose him.

He still has a reaction that I attribute to that episode, he will all of a sudden just upchuck a little liquid, doesn't matter if he is sitting down or walking, whether he has just eaten or ate several hours ago.

Rimadyl has only one place in a dogs life in my opinion and that is when they are in so much pain that absolutely nothing else will help and you are going to put them down. Then I feel Rimadyl is a last resort option.

You never know if your dog is going to be one of the many fatalities from it. And I will never take that chance again with any of my dogs.

[MontanaRott]

We used Rimadyl on our old girl, Kelsey after and injury, it was a huge help. Benny has taken it before with good results and he is now on Deramaxx, which is also working very well for his aches and pains. Too well actually! Good luck with Cyrus and as others have said not all drugs are good/bad for all dogs. Use your best judgement and listen to your gut where Cyrus is concerned.

[rottnkidd]

I'm with Acersmom on the Tramadol. I haven't had the need to use any pain medications thus far, however, if it became necessary Tramadol would be my choice. It can be used alone, with steriods, or with a NSAID, thus allowing for lesser amounts of each to be used.
Although Acersmom posted a link, here's a direct link to the Tramadol info-
http://vettechs.blogspot.com/2005/04/tramadol.html

Also excellent reading here -
http://www.caberfeidh.com/Pain3.htm
Best wishes -
kathy

[flyballmom]

Tramadol/Ultram is a great drug. It's used with alot of success in the human world for anything from arthritic pain, to post-op pain to moderate cancer pain. But, as a synthetic opioid, what it's NOT is an anti-inflammatory. So, if you have a process going on that involves inflammation, it won't help it resolve. I think if I had a dog such as Cyrus, with a non-surgical but inflammatory problem, I'd probably consider a regimen of Tramadol to help the initial pain, followed by a short course of an NSAID to help with inflammation. And....MOST importantly, restricted activity of a duration long enough to let the sore tissue heal.