Steph and Pallie

[gpgscott]

Steph,

It is my experience that the NSAIDS are prescribed in doses way larger than needed for relief from symptoms. Me, I would start at 1/4 the recommended dose and work from there.

Adaquane is a good treatment, and when purchased online is not expensive.

When needed I give Moria Tramadol at 1/2 the recommended dose, and it works fine. A larger dose makes her more stupid than I am.

I have for the past 3 or so months been giving Moria ranatidine every morning (same as famantodine, pepcid, tagamet) and it is working well, she eats and is doing famously.

It is a balancing act with an elder. You and Pallie will figure it out.

Hope this is some help.

Scott

[corgipallie]

Carol,
I'm glad you checked with the IM about the SAMe and tramadol. That makes me feel better.

I'm not sure exactly what the link is between atypical and NSAIDs but my vet doesn't want Pallie on them due to the risk of an ulcer. If the tramadol works, we won't need an NSAID anyway.
I can vouch that I don't want Pallie on NSAIDs if her risk of stomach problems is high. I am on stomach medication because of NSAIDs that I have to take because other meds won't help me. I deal with it, but unless Pallie is really suffering (which thankfully she's not), I will follow my vet's advice for now.

The Pepcid AC definitely helps the stomach with NSAIDs!

I gave Pallie 1/2 a Tramadol tonight (25mg), and she played a little squeaky toy in the living room.

[AlisonandMia]

If there is a problem with Tramadol there is also acetaminophen/paracetamol. When Mia had an ear infection the vet suggested it for pain relief if necessary - a NSAID was contraindicated because if things had got that bad she would have been on pred anyway. The vet gave me, in writing, the dose the correct dose for Mia and the mg/kg dose in case I used another preparation. I never needed to use it but this is what the vet suggested and I got the impression they recommend it quite frequently.

I know it isn't normally recommended, presumably because they don't want people just popping Tylenol down their pets' throats willy-nilly but I gather it does work well for dogs. Acetaminophen/paracetamol is absolutely lethal for cats so that could be another reason it isn't used as a "pet med" to any great degree or at least it isn't officially mentioned a lot.

This is what it says about using it in dogs in the Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol):

Although paracetamol is believed to have no significant anti-inflammatory activity, it has been reported to be as effective as aspirin in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain in dogs.[56] A paracetamol-codeine product (trade name Pardale-V)[57] licensed for use in dogs is available on veterinary prescription in the UK.[58] It should be administered to dogs only on veterinary advice. The main effects of toxicity in dogs is liver damage.[59] N-acetylcysteine treatment is efficacious in dogs when administered within a few hours of paracetamol ingestion.[56]

Alison

PS: Another thing that is great for "NSAID tummy" is Slippery Elm. After taking NSAIDS on and off for years for migraine I find that I not only have to take it "with food" as advised but am best using Slippery Elm as well with every dose. In fact, Slippery Elm works for me even on an empty stomach (I guess the Slippery Elm is "food" when it comes to stomachs and NSAIDS).

[BestBuddy]

Don't know about dogs but I have found ginger tablets help my NSAID tummy.
Jenny

[barney's mom]

I am a huge fan of Tramadol. When Barney's back flares up one Tramadol is usually all that is needed to set him right. He must have a huge tolerance for drugs though, he is more playful, and only rarely sleepy. There have been times where I have given him a Tramadol 50mg and a 5mg Valium and it doesn't seem to phase him mentally, but he does quit limping

I guess every dog is different. I keeping Barney away from the NSAIDS as long as possible.

CHeryl

[Squirt's Mom]

Hi Steph,

I'm sorry Pallie is hurting. It breaks my heart to see them in pain.

We use Tramadol here, too. Ruby uses it and so does Squirt, both as needed. Squirt weighs 14lbs and she gets 1/4 of a 50mg tablet and that usually does the trick for her. Ruby, at 50 lbs, gets 50-100mg. They can have those doses twice a day. So far, I have seen no problems with it at all.

I do have some thoughts on Pallie's legs, tho. One, Corgie's are built long like Doxy's so are prone to spinal problems, as I'm sure you know. Did your vet check to be sure this isn't something with her spine? A friend of mine has Corgie's and one of hers has real back troubles, so I couldn't help but think of this when I read about Pallie. Another thought, is the vet sure this is arthritis and not the Cushing's acting up? Does Pallie have any other cush signs showing up lately? I hate to bring this up, but remember that Atypical pups can become true cush pups with elevated cortisol. Also, has Pallie gained any weight recently? If she has, that with her long construction could be causing some of what you are seeing. As one with arthritis, I can tell you that losing weight is one of the best treatments but, dang! that's hard to do! Especially for one who loves food as much as I do!

I hope I am just being my usual worry-wart self and that all my concerns have been addressed. Since I know you are a great mom, I am sure you have already covered these bases plus for Pallie's pain but I just gotta mouth off sometimes.

Hope sweet Pallie is feeling better!
Hugs,
Leslie and the girls

[corgipallie]

The tramadol is helping! I've been only giving her 1/2 to 1 50mg pill a day and it seems to help those legs/back of hers. She took Tramadol for her back last summer and it helped some then but then we didn't need it anymore, then she was back on it for her liver problem, and then off of it after the mass we found started shrinking.
Now,I suspect with her age now her legs and back might be a little more sore these days and her legs aren't helping her back obviously, and vice versa.
I just got back from the vet because she has some painful ear inflammation that I had to get some medicine for.
Poor Pallie. But I think we're on the upswing. I hope!!
We love you all!

[LuvMyMunchie]

Steph,

I sure hope Pallie is on the road to recovery with that ear inflammation too. Poor Pallie, it's bad enough to have the back and legs hurting...it's just plain adding insult to injury getting inflamed ears on top of it all. From one who knows....growing old along with the assorted things that come with it stinks sometimes!! Of course, I'll happily accept growing old as opposed to the alternative.

Sending some healing vibes for Pallie.....

Louise

[gpgscott]

I see Pallie has a new boat.

Hope you all are enjoying the pretty spring.

Scott

[forscooter]

Poor Pallsters!!! Sending healing thoughts for those ears! Did you tell her it comes with being a hound-dog???

And the back/leg connection...poor Pallie is built like a suspension bridge of sorts too...kind of like the boys....and it does get strained sometimes. I am glad the Tramadol is helping!

Big slobby kissies coming from her hound bro!!!! And me too!!! LOL!