Confused by Vet still!

[NolaAngelRocky]

Thank you everyone for your support and advice on my earlier posts! For the most part this is the only place where my distress is not downplayed as overly "paranoid". I only hope I am being overly paranoid. The vet did the aspirate then brought the slide to me telling me it looked okay. I saw no blood, just clear fluid. She says this indicates only fatty tumor. Can you actually tell just on visual alone?? She doesn't want to send it lab; says its unneccesary. She did give Nola med Rimadyl that needs Zantac with it. This came only after I fessed up that I had given her my pain med (strong kind with APAP) and Nola acted like herself for a time last night. I know its a big no no but I was desperate to help her and no one here was listening. I am thinking maybe I should still take to 2 vet to be checked. What would you do?

[szky]

Sorry to hear that your girl is going through this. For me, in order to make what I think is the best decision, I need the best information available. If it were me, I'd either:

1) Have a lab confirm what the Vet thinks, or
2) get a second opinion.

I've had dogs with fatty tumors and it was no big deal to have them removed. On the other hand, I've had dogs (my Rotties) who also have had other types of tumors. One (JR) had a benign basal cell tumor removed. The other (Bettis) had a tumor that turned out to be OS on his rear leg. In all cases, I had Lab work done to confirm what the Vet diagnosed.

Best wishes and good thoughts for your Nola

[BostonRott]

Yes, typically you can confirm via visual with a slide.

In the future, I'd be VERY careful about giving your dog any of your own pain meds. You have no idea how this may interact with anything she's already on, it could kill her.

If in the future, you have a dog who is THAT painful, then find an Emergency veterinary hospital (not a call to a vet, a building that is open 24hrs) and go seek proper treatment.

[rusty'smom]

I don't like Rimadyl...PERIOD!!!..I believe that stimulated Rusty's Addison's disease...I gave it to him after he was neutered, and then he got sick..Rimadyl can have severe side affects in dogs...including liver and adrenal gland damage!..if your dog is in pain, a good, safe drug is called Cosequin..(I may have misspelled it)..It helped my Rocky a great deal...and why would the vet prescribe Zantac (for stomach pain/irritation)..?..because Rimadyl is so strong, like a human who took 1500 mg's of Ibuprofen for pain!! sound's excessive, and it is, even over a short period of time!!..I'm not a vet, but I do know that you should research, or get another vet's opinion!..keep in touch, Rusty's mom

[Anne]

Originally Posted by rusty'smom

I don't like Rimadyl...PERIOD!!!..I believe that stimulated Rusty's Addison's disease...I gave it to him after he was neutered, and then he got sick..Rimadyl can have severe side affects in dogs...including liver and adrenal gland damage!..if your dog is in pain, a good, safe drug is called Cosequin..(I may have misspelled it)..It helped my Rocky a great deal...and why would the vet prescribe Zantac (for stomach pain/irritation)..?..because Rimadyl is so strong, like a human who took 1500 mg's of Ibuprofen for pain!! sound's excessive, and it is, even over a short period of time!!..I'm not a vet, but I do know that you should research, or get another vet's opinion!..keep in touch, Rusty's mom

Some dogs do react adversely to Rimadyl. Most do not. None of my dogs who have been prescribed Rimadyl has ever had an adverse reaction to it. It is an excellent anti inflammatory and and a relatively fast acting and very good pain reliever. As in humans, some drugs do not agree with some patients. Penicillin is a prime example.

As long as Rimadyl is given with meals then Zantac is not required. To give Rimadyl without food would require Zantac but why not just give the drug with meals and skip the Zantac.

Cosequin is NOT a 'good, safe drug'. It is not a drug at all. It is a neutraceutical, basically it's glucosamine and chondroitin. It is not taken as a fast acting pain reliever like Rimadyl. It builds up over time helping to repair cartilage and assist in the production of synovial fluid around the joints thereby reducing inflammation. It usually takes about 4-6 weeks to see any positive effect of Cosequin. It certainly doesn't fulfill the function of pain relief if your dog is in immediate pain, as does Rimadyl.

I don't understand why you say Rimadyl is 'so strong'. Like other prescribed medications it is available in different strength tablets or chews. The vet will prescribe the correct dosage.

Rimadyl is for short term pain relief. Cosequin is a neutraceutical that requires long term usage to receive any benefit at all.

Sorry but your analogy about humans taking 1500mgs of Ibuprofen being equivalent to a correct Rimadyl dosage is totally misleading and incorrect.

[rusty'smom]

you are absolutlely right!, I was wrong when i refered to Cosequin, as a drug..it is not!, and yes it does take weeks to see therapuetic results...BUT..i think that Rimadyl(carprofen), does have toxic effects in dogs!..and it is an ANSAID, which means it "CAN" and will have toxic effects on the liver, if used frequently...if the use of this drug will be used for several weeks to months , the risk of liver disease is increased!..I am happy to hear that your dog(s) have been doing well with this drug....remember that this forum is meant to give only opinions on our views as Rott owners and lovers..Your opinion , in my eyes, is well respected, and together, let us help those who need us...

[Madrocs]

Sorry you guys are going thru this

in Jan. Madrocs had a bump(size of a peanut MM) on the back of his neck. The vet said it didnt feel like it was attached to anything and not hard. We still had it needle byopsied(he said it looked good) but we still opted to have it sent out and checked. The tests came back begnin(not cancer)

the bump kinda shank, tiull it was almost gone, then came back. We decided to have it removed just to be safe. The vet said it looked good, no dirty margins, ect. But we still had it sent out and it came back as a Mast Cell Tumor grade 2, which is maliegent

If you read some of my previous posts youll see what we are dealing with now.

He goes to Upenn Tues to have a oncologist conciletaion on his spleen. During all of his post op test, everything looked good, except for 2 small spots on his spleen, which the vet said were masts in his spleen. The follow up ultra(at the end of May) showed one more spot. So we are going to see whats up.

I am praying for the best, for all of us and all of our pets

[observer]

Sorry, but the lump is only a small part of your problem. It may in fact be nothing.

I am still assuming that this is the same dog you talked about in the "knowing when" thread as already having a cancer diagnosis. (You haven't ever made that clear). You've mentioned her "rattling" when she breathes, moaning in apparent pain, and being tired "for months". What does the vet say about all that???? A chest X ray would be fairly simple.

I wouldn't pick Rimadyl, there are other drugs, but if we are talking about the same dog, we are not looking at a situation where long term use of any drug is likely.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by rusty'smom

you are absolutlely right!, I was wrong when i refered to Cosequin, as a drug..it is not!, and yes it does take weeks to see therapuetic results...BUT..i think that Rimadyl(carprofen), does have toxic effects in dogs!..and it is an ANSAID, which means it "CAN" and will have toxic effects on the liver, if used frequently...if the use of this drug will be used for several weeks to months , the risk of liver disease is increased!..I am happy to hear that your dog(s) have been doing well with this drug....remember that this forum is meant to give only opinions on our views as Rott owners and lovers..Your opinion , in my eyes, is well respected, and together, let us help those who need us...

As I mentioned in my previous post, Rimadyl is for short term pain relief It is a NSAIDS drug. Most pain relief is in the NSAIDS group for both animals and humans.

Unless an animal is suffering a terminal illness I seriously doubt any vet would recommend long term use of this drug. Certainly before it was prescribed for my dogs, bloods were done. I have never know of a vet to prescribe this drug for weeks or months on end in any other circumstances apart from the terminal.

We do come here to offer and receive opinions/advice and support and we need to make sure our advice is as accurate as it can be. I would not like a dog to suffer pain because I said that a veterinary prescribed drug would do serious harm to a dog.

The vet is the one who knows the dog and is best equipped to prescribe what it appropriate to the situation.

[NolaAngelRocky]

Thank you again everyone for your help! I apologize for all the confusion but this vet really has me confused. Last week she told me when I asked about needle biopsy that she didn't it could be done. Knowing I was desperately worried having lost 2 babies to cancer before she did not mention any other possibilities merely that I should go on "past experiences". That told me cancer. She doesn't address other issues except for med when I told her I gave Nola my own med out of desperation. Something I never do. She has me come in for procedure she said she couldn't do last week then doesn't send sample to lab anyway. New lump appearing right in front of old one apparently doesn't concern her either. I was told blood work was perfect only to find out today her glucose is below normal not much but still. No explanations or concerns as to why by vet. If lumps are fatty tumors why has her behaviors changed?? She got a brand new stuffed baby last week and didn't even get excited when she got it. Has only played with it twice since and only briefly. Our son was here five days and she greeted him without her usual enthusiasm and only playfully once for few minutes his entire visit. 6 months ago she would have not let him alone! This vet has not addressed these issues as symptoms at all. Also Nola's stool is half or less of normal even when she eats regular meal. Vet hasn't even listened to Nola's chest. If they are fatty tumor why does she act sick, why are the new ones appearing so closely to first and WHY NOT go ahead and send biopsy sample to lab just to be sure. I did not sleep for four days worrying about Nola and wanting to be sure I was there is if she needed me. I was in tears entire time. Vet knows yet no efforts made to be sure or reassure. I will see if the meds she gave me bring back some spark. I will have the lumps analyzed elsewhere and I will not be going back to that vet ever! Vet now tells me it arthritis and fatty tumor only why not offer that opinion in first place and provide the med on first trip? My head is still spinning with all this.

[spoiledbabies3]

Why are you still going to this vet if you are questioning her diagnosis? Shouldn't you be considering a 2nd opinion? You need to have the tumors analyzed and then make whatever appropriate decision. Take in her quality of life as you consider this carefully...and good luck with your decision.

[BostonRott]

A slightly low glucose means basically nothing. Your glucose levels fluctuate with your eating patterns.

[Sharon Marples]

If your vet is not explaing things to you the way you want, it is time to go to another vet for a second opinion. I would not wait to do so.

[NolaAngelRocky]

Once again thank you all!!! Nola has an appt. with a different vet next week. Her lumps may be just fatty tumors but I do feel the vet should have honored my request at the first visit. Having had 2 Rotts die of cancer previously she should have been more than willing to see the lump fully analyzed at the least especially since I wanted it from the beginning. Her constant contradictions, resistance and unwillingness to listen and work with me has only made this a more horrific experience. I only want to know WHAT is going on with my dog so I can get her treated and make appropriate decisions. I hope no one else runs into the same problems I have with this vet. Nola saw a cat today and was ready to GO! Now as she has these last weeks is just laying quietly by me. Thank you again for your help.

[NolaAngelRocky]

I just read some posts about Rimadyl and am concerned. We used it many years ago briefly on my boy Rocky and didn't have any problems but took him off of it because it wasn't helping him after 1 week or so. That was 10 years ago and I don't remember any red flags about it then. I am desperate to help Nola and keep trying it with her. How long should I try it before I know it isn't going to help? Days or more??? It seems to be more for arthritis which she could have but if it isn't arthritis can it still help with other types of pain??? Thank you so much for your patience and help! I can tell you how much I appreciate this site and everyone in it!!!!