[FormerACLUmember]

Off topic and horrible joke: What goes "woof, woof, woof, boom!"

Answer: Toy poodle in the microwave.

[backhoe]

It is important that people be informed, and attuned to their dog's behaviour and condition. Our old dog had slowed down a lot more than anyone realized- until the Vet suggested rimadyl for an acute ( jammed under an abandoned car, trying to get a rat ) problem- and it was like getting a young dog back.

But you do need to monitor appetite, water consumption, stool condition, and be aware of any changes in behaviour. They can't speak about what they feel.

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

I'd like to get the opinions of dog lovers here. My neighbor has a 15 year old Yorkie. She's blind and deaf, she can't walk and her kidneys are shutting down. If she were your dog, would you let her go on this way until she died or would you have her put to sleep?

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Pfizer, the maker of Rimadyl, warns of rare but serious side effects. Since 1997, the company has logged some 18,000 reported adverse effects, including 2,300 deaths.

I had a 4 year old yellow lab that was one of these 2300. Wiped out his kidneys and liver in a matter of a few days. Based on my experience of one case, I would urge caution.

[sinkspur]

We've used Rimadyl on all three of our Bichons, but I have my dogs blood-tested yearly for any signs of liver or kidney problems. A complete blood work-up.

Rimadyl is a tremendous relief to a dog after major surgery.

[toddlintown]

If you carefully monitor all the possible side effects of Rimadyl, have regular blood work done on your dog, and heed whatever instructions your vet gives you, the drug ca work wonders. For a lot of us, it's either use the drug, enjoy the time you have with your pet, or put the dog down. For a dog lover, that wasn't a choice for me.

Hell, every drug we take has side effects

[HairOfTheDog]

I had great success with both my old dogs, large and small, on Rimadyl. It added years of comfortable movement for my Lab especially. Much better than the short doses of cortisone of the past... much harder on livers and stomachs I think.

But someone else I know reported her dog got uncomfortable on it, panting... So of course, you have to evaluate it's effects and the possible risks, and keep on evaluating as you go.

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[DugwayDuke]

There are alternatives to rimadyl. First, try aspirin. Use the coated kind. Approximately the same dosage per pound as for a person. DO NOT USE TYLENOL or any thing but ASPIRIN. Dogs tolerate aspirn quite well but the margin between a lethal dose of tylenol is quite small.

Then, if aspirin does not work, there's deramaxx. Has about the same effectiveness as rymadyl but with far fewer side effects.

Both my dogs are on it. It's expensive. About fifty bucks a month but then it's prescribed on poundage and I have a great dane and a mastif so your costs are likely to be far less.

[Slings and Arrows]

Before Rimadyl, my JRT Janey had a real arthritis problem. Ever see a dog chase a squirrel on three legs?
---
Kitty Ping List alert!

[Freepmail me to get on or off the Kitty Ping List.]

[StoneColdGOP]

BTTT.