Stopping Rimadyl Use

[Arazante]

I've never come across my vet suggesting this title, but I don't think I'll ever ask about it. It sounds too risky. Thanks for the heads-up.

[brianstien]

petsalive

I am not “lucky” regarding my vet. I am a responsible owner; very particular about the treatment my dogs receive, and who administers it. Owners who spend less time shopping for vet than they do shopping for a car deserve everything they get, and less. Hopefully, those owners will see the light before any damage is done.

My own vet, for instance, never prescribes a new drug during the first year it comes out. She waits to see how many reports to the FDA are generated, and then makes her own determination.

As to “WHY” (wow – all caps. That’s like, so CAPITAL and stuff) I’ve allowed Rimadyl to be administered, it’s because:

1. It was prescribed by a veterinarian I trust, after the nutraceuticals and diet modification proved to be ineffective.

2. My own research into its side effects/dangers revealed a lot of anecdotal evidence, but nothing I would consider to be the result of rigorous, disciplined, double-blind research. If you google Rimadyl, for example, the first non-sponsored link is an amusingly alarmist site comprised of anecdotes labeled with garish warnings like “ALERT!!! Four-year-old Peke-a-Poo Almost Dies While on Rimadyl!!!” No hard data beyond statements like “x number of deaths have been associated with Rimadyl use.” No explanation of how those numbers were derived, nor of how the corollary between the medication and the damage was established. Just the claim, with no substantiation – exactly like the claims made by you and celechfarms.

Anyone can find horror stories regarding virtually any medication. If you choose to regard anecdotes as gospel, more power to you. I prefer to maintain the health of my dogs based upon something more concrete than that.

Regarding your final sentence, you don’t understand, and you are wrong.

[petsalive]

Rimadyl Use?

Hi Brian,

You are extremely lucky that you have a vet who monitors your dog so closely - I am sure he/she does so because this drug is known to cause gastric and liver problems.

My question is WHY are you using such a POTENTIALLY dangerous drug in such a young dog when there are other medications that you could try that require less monitoring?

As I understand it (and I certainly could be wrong) once the blood tests reveal that damage has been done that damage is permanent so at that point I am assuming that you would have to stop using Rimadyl - what then?

[brianstien]

Kerry

If celtechfarms had limited his/her advice to encouraging Lisa to get to the vet, I’d have had no problem with it.

However, he/she paints the most horrifying picture possible, citing deaths attributable to Rimadyl (true), AND those that he/she BELIEVES to be attributable – BELIEFS have no place in a forum that purports to dispense practical advise. I prefer to rely upon documented factual evidence, as opposed to the BELIEF of an anonymous poster, but that’s just me.

Additionally, despite your forum’s disclaimer that medical advice is not to be dispensed here, celtechfarms does precisely that with his/her blanket proclamation to “stay away from this drug.” That seems hysterical to me. We’ll just have to agree to disagree.

Finally, I assumed nothing regarding Lisa’s interaction with her vet, or lack thereof. I only cited my own vet’s insistence on the careful & rigorous monitoring of any patient for whom she has prescribed a long-term medication regimen, particularly when the medication in question has documented side-effects associated with it.

[kerryclair]

Brian,
Let's look at the post that Celtech was replying to:

>>I had been using Rimadyl with my Rottweiler for over 6 months. A few weeks ago, she became very sick with diarreah, vommiting, and finally she began bleeding rectally. She was hospitalized overnight and recovered nicely on a bland diet of rice, chicken, and cottage cheese. The last medication I began to readminister was the Rimadyl. I started her on it again a few days ago and her symptoms returned. I immediately discontinued use of the Rimadyl and she seems to be on the mend.<<

So she responds that if they have not already they should rush to their vet. With those symptoms that is EXCELLENT advice. You assume of course that this person has already GONE to their vet, but we've seen a LOT here on animalforum and that is not always the case.

So I see NOTHING in her post that makes her seem hysterical and if you lok on the web, Rimadyl is a KNOWN problem for many, many dogs. Just because YOURS is doing fine on it, does not mean Celtech's warnings are hysterical.

[celtechfarms]

I haven't had a bad experiance with it, I never used it, but the com[pany pulled its advertising when the FDA insisted they had to put in the commercials that it may kill your dog. The studys in to Rydimal are scary and very acurate, it can and will effect a dogs liver, not all but many, and can kill your dog, again, not all, but too many to be worth the risk. There are other drugs out there and even better is to take the natural root. I don't feel I am over reacting at all, I have heard the horror stories first hand, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone in my area willing to use this drug.

All I suggest is that one be very careful and reserch any drugs being suggested for your dog, espically if you don't know what they are. I'm glad your dog hasen';t had a reaction, and I seriously hope he never does, but I will never recommend this drug to anyone and will continue to warn people of its effects. If the FDA insists they tell people it may kill there dog, it seems the smart thing to do is pay attention to that warning.

Heather

[brianstien]

Take a breath

Geez, celtechfarms - do you think you could be a little more hysterical? Just because you had a bad experience with a particular medication doesn't mean the medication is harmful to all patients.

Any vet worth his/her salt will do regular blood panels to evaluate the overall impact of any long-term medication.

My 5-yr old OES has been on Rimadyl for nearly 2 years now, and it's done wonders for his joint problems. And his liver function is perfectly normal, thank you very much.

[celtechfarms]

Has your vet seen your dog? If not get there fast, fast, fast. Rimadyl is known for causing liver failiar in dogs. It has killed many dogs, or is believed to be the cause of dogs deaths. Its scary that this happened and I'm sorry it did. We ourselves turned down this drug when our boy was diagnosed with ED. Its best to try and stick to feeds that help with your dogs alments. Please stay away from this drug, and always question the possible side effects of all drugs, remember there are drugs out there that do not advertise because the FDA insiste they warn dog owners that their drugs cause deaths.

[cambece]

good to know thanks

Cambece

[Lisa]

I had been using Rimadyl with my Rottweiler for over 6 months. A few weeks ago, she became very sick with diarreah, vommiting, and finally she began bleeding rectally. She was hospitalized overnight and recovered nicely on a bland diet of rice, chicken, and cottage cheese. The last medication I began to readminister was the Rimadyl. I started her on it again a few days ago and her symptoms returned. I immediately discontinued use of the Rimadyl and she seems to be on the mend...this time for good. I will not use Rimadyl again.