My dog, Tantris, seems to be doing a little better today...

[Liberal Veteran]

He's been drinking and eating (a lot) and doesn't seem to be quite as in much pain. Still having a bit of a struggle to get up from laying down, but not as much as before.

So I'm reservedly hopeful that he might bounce back a bit. I don't want to get my hopes up too much because I don't handle disappointment well, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Good news, sounds like.

Isn't he that beautiful red Chow?

:)

[Liberal Veteran]

5. That's the one.

When I got up this morning he was in the kitchen eating the cat's food out of the bowl, despite the fact that he had a full bowl of his own food available. I moved him over to canned for a little while and he's really digging into it. He's still a laying around a lot, but think he seems to be more alert and able to get around a lot better than yesterday and he stopped whining. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he may be on the mend.

[Richardo]

2. Did the vet put him on any meds?

We had the Rimadyl discussion, et al.

Hope he starts feeling better... you too!

Richardo

[RebelOne]

4. Rimadyl, no, no, no!

It almost killed my dog.

[Richardo]

6. Depends on the dog and dosage...needs liver monitoring

Our big ol' boy (14 years, 113#) has been on it for over two years with no liver damage. We get him checked out twice a year. His quality of life has much improved.

I know others have had problems with Rimadyl, but we're OK with it.

[Liberal Veteran]

7. He's on steroidal anti-inflammatories right now.....

Prednisone to be exact. It's probably a bit riskier than Rimadyl, but the vet felt that his advanced age, it would be better to see if we could get him better in the short term and consider weening him off the steroids and onto Rimadyl at a later time if necessary.

[Richardo]

11. Thanks, LV - and our best wishes go out to you and your pup...

Hoping for the best!

[noonwitch]

12. Prednisone is why he's drinking so much water

My previous dog was on it briefly once when she got exposed to fleas on one occasion. She had an allergic reaction to the fleas and had to be given Prednisone. It worked, but she was always thirsty and subsequently had to go out to pee a lot.

[RebelOne]

8. This is why I say no to Rimadyl.

Food & Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine reports of deaths associated with Rimadyl (Carprofen) -- cumulative:

May 1, 2003 - 2,133 dogs have died
June 4, 2003 - 2,153 dogs have died
July 8, 2003 - 2,182 dogs have died

http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

[Richardo]

10. So 20-30 dogs per month....

...merits caution and monitoring, and how much you know and trust your vet.

[RebelOne]

13. My Rottie was on it. She died in 1999 at the age of 11.

But Rimadyl was not the cause. Fortunately, I took her off it when she exhibited the symptoms that I had researched in relation to the drug.

I now have another Rottie. She is 6 years old. When she becomes an older dog and if she develops arthritis, there is no way in hell I will ever give her Rimadyl. I put my other Rottie on the adult dose of Glucosamine and it helped her immensely.

[Richardo]

14. Sorry to hear about your other Rottie...

Hope you and your "new" 6-year-old are together for a long time... :-)

[RebelOne]

17. Thanks.

[Mikimouse]

3. Kitties and I send love to Tantris...

and hugs to you. I was hoping yesterday that it was only a function of the new medications. Steroids can be a real pain in the neck. HI Tantris!!!!!!:hi:

[spooky3]

9. ++++++++++++++++++++++++

positive vibes for Tantris and you.

[commander bunnypants]

15. Best of luck

and give Tantris a big kiss for me.


DDQM

[RebelOne]

16. Forgive me for getting so fired up about Rimadyl.

But I hope your doggie will bounce back enough where he doesn't have to be on medication.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. Good! I hope he continues

to make progress! :hug:

[Liberal Veteran]

19. Thanks for all the good wishes and vibes for Tantris....

He is a LOT better today. There is still some difficulty getting up, but nothing like before where he was dragging his hind end because he hurt so bad. It's a pity that doggies have a nature to hide discomfort until it becomes really bad, and older chows are so aloof and lazy to begin with that it's hard to tell they are being less active.