[emmatopaz]

I have a Bernese mountain dog thats two and the other day he started to act kinda off. Usually i get home and he wants to play tug of war, or crawl on me. When i came home the other day he didnt even come to me, he wont play at all, and he only wants to go outside. When hes outside he doesnt want to go back in. I know he doesnt have to use the bathroom since i watch him go and theres nothing out of the ordinary. I have taken him to the vet and he thinks the dog might have hurt himself so he prescribed some pain meds. This was yesterday, but even now he sits across the couch and stares at me. I cant get him to do anything that he was doing before. I thought maybe something in the house scared him or at least spooked him but nothing at all has changed. Sometimes he will just sit with me and shake his whole body like hes cold, but hes not cold. Any advise would be very helpfull, at this point im very concerned about him and dont know what to do

[Lara's mom]

First of all, welcome to the forum.

With regard to your problem, it does sound is if he has somehow hurt himself. If I could just give you a word of advice, research the drug that the vet gave your dog. Some drugs have really bad side effects and some can even be dangerous.

If there is an injury, you need to give it time to heal.

[emmatopaz]

Thank you for your reply, They have given me rimadyl. I know these can be bad for dogs but the vet has only given me 10 so it shouldnt be harmful. At first we thought it was that she has hurt herself but she is only acting strange when shes in the house. she still loves going out for walks but when she gets back to the house she doesnt want to go back in?! Its so strange

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by emmatopaz

Thank you for your reply, They have given me rimadyl. I know these can be bad for dogs but the vet has only given me 10 so it shouldnt be harmful. At first we thought it was that she has hurt herself but she is only acting strange when shes in the house. she still loves going out for walks but when she gets back to the house she doesnt want to go back in?! Its so strange

Please get your dog off the rimadyl (carprofen) In some dogs even one capsule can do harm and definitely cause side effects!! My dog had 2 capsules---1 while being under for operation and 1 at home. He kept me up all night looking at me (among other things) as if to say-HELP ME! I threw the rest of the pills away and made vet put "Never ever give my dogs Rimadyl" in his files!! Please go to this site to learn much! And hurry--This info can get you to stop the rimadyl at once! Your dog's liver/kidneys are under attack right now-----This 'crap' will destroy the liver and can kill your dog 'fast or slow!' Hope you get this message quickly!! Please give some feedback as we worry about these things. We all love dogs!

The Senior Dogs Project

[CorkyMax]

A Review of Signs of a Potentially Life-threatening Reaction to Rimadyl

loss of appetite
change in drinking habits (refusal to drink or increased water consumption)
unusual pattern of urination, blood in the urine, sweet-smelling urine, an overabundance of urine, urine accidents in the house
vomiting
diarrhea
black, tarry stools or flecks of blood in the vomit
lethargy, drowsiness, hyperactivity, restlessness, aggressiveness
staggering, stumbling, weakness or partial paralysis, full paralysis, seizures, dizziness, loss of balance
jaundice (yellowing of the skin, mucus membranes and whites of the eyes)


Ten Steps to Take If You Suspect Your Dog Has Had an Adverse Reaction to Rimadyl

(1) If you see any of the above-listed signs of adverse reaction, immediately stop the drug and take your dog to the vet. The earlier your dog gets appropriate treatment, the better the chances of complete recovery.

(2) Have the vet do a blood panel and CBC (complete blood count). This will help your vet to determine the supportive therapy your dog needs.

(3) If your dog seems seriously ill, and you cannot get an immediate appointment with your vet, go to the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Explain that you believe your dog is having a reaction that is typical of a dog taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). If the clinic staff is unfamiliar with the potential side effects of an NSAID like Rimadyl, have them refer to the Rimadyl product description or package insert. You can print one out from the Rimadyl website. Misdiagnosis is frequent in cases of a Rimadyl reaction. Don't accept a diagnosis of cancer, for example, until an adverse reaction to Rimadyl has been thoroughly ruled out.

(4) Call and have your veterinarian call Pfizer. The Pfizer staff veterinarians should be able to offer guidance to your veterinarian for the necessary tests and therapy your dog may need:

Pfizer: 1-800-366-5288

(5) If you have caught your dog's potential adverse reaction to Rimadyl in time, it is unlikely that the outcome will be fatal. Don't panic!

(6) If it becomes necessary to establish whether Rimadyl was a factor in a dog's death, a necropsy must be performed. The necropsy does NOT have to be done by a veterinarian appointed by Pfizer; it should, in fact, be done by an impartial third party. However, Pfizer should be advised promptly that the necropsy is being undertaken and that they will be entitled to some, but not all, of the tissue samples obtained.

(7) Try to maintain a diary of the events leading up to your dog's suspected adverse drug reaction. Make it as detailed as possible. Also obtain all medical records from all sources. Your diary and these records will be invaluable, should you decide to apply to Pfizer for reimbursement of veterinary medical expenses.

(8) Contact and have your veterinarian contact the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine to report the incident.

[CorkyMax]

How to report to the FDA:

by telephone at: 1-888-332-8387 (or 1-888-FDA-VETS)
via the FDA website
or go directly to the form )
Once you print out the form, just complete it and mail it. It is postpaid.
According to the FDA:

"In common terms, an adverse drug experience (ADE) is either an undesired side effect, or the lack of a desired effect. The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) defines an ADE as 'any side effect, injury, toxicity, or sensitivity reaction (or failure to perform as expected) associated with use of an animal drug, whether or not determined to be attributable to the drug.' " This means that you need only SUSPECT that the side effect is caused by the drug; you do not have to prove it.

If you decide to report an ADE , the FDA advises as follows:

"You should first call the drug company. Inform them that you wish to report an ADE, and ask to speak to a technical services veterinarian. The technical services veterinarian should ask a series of questions about the experience, complete a form called the FDA 1932, and forward the report to CVM . We suggest the drug company as your first point of contact because many companies will also offer clinical advice or diagnostic assistance. CVM does not provide these services. If you wish to confirm that your report was forwarded, or prefer not to call the drug company, call CVM directly at (888) FDA-VETS. Please ask to speak to one of the veterinarians responsible for the ADE monitoring program."



(9) The stress of dealing with your dog's illness may make it difficult for you to attend to the practical matters of reports, procedures, and bureaucratic requirements. If you feel you need assistance or guidance, please E-mail LuSwinton@aol.com.

(10) To aid your dog's recovery, in addition to enlisting the help of Pfizer and your veterinarian, you may wish to consider other options.


Here is a link to the 'other options': http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylf...from%20Rimadyl

[Emma]

Hello everyone!

I have just been reading all the posts that have been put up about Rimadyl. I have a 19wk St Bernard puppy who has just had to undergo major orthopedic surgery on his front legs due to a congenital birth defect.

My vet put him on Rimadyl before the op and he was agressive and biting, barking and really couldnt control his bladder. We put this down to the amount of pain he was in befor the operation was done. Once the op was done he came home like a different dog!! Sweet loving enjoying cuddles and most importantly not BITING!!!! We had since been told to put him back on the Rimadyl. After about 24-36 hours since being back on it he is biting, barking being generally aggressive and cant control his bladder even when he has open acces to the garden he will urinate in the house one puddle after another!! I am going to take him off the rimadyl straight away!!!!!!! But is there an alternative??? please help I am so worried about my poor little puppy! He doesnt deserve to be going through this at such a young age, or any age for that matter!!!!! i hope there is some alternative!! I am off to call my vets asap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to hearing some advice xx

[CorkyMax]

I am so very, very glad you quit the Rimadyl (carprofen---Be aware there are at least 3 names for this crap--carprofen is the generic name--Rimadyl is a brand name ----I can't remember right now what the 3rd one is.)

I just put the words: dogs/Rimadyl/alternatives-- in my browser. This is one site that came up: http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadyl.alt.html
You can do some more research by putting the same words in your browser that I used.

I hope you find something. Please do not let your vet talk you into the Rimadyl!

Your vet should know other pain medications---But be careful and check out about the safety of any med!!

Am also thinking you could put something in your browser on the order of: dogs/pain medications. The above site may just have to do with incontinence and not the pain issue. Hopefully soon your poor baby won't even need the pain meds. Does he act like he is in pain much? When he is off the Rimadyl?

[lange]

emmatopaz, is your dog female or male? In the first post you keep saying "he". In your second post your refer to your dog as "she"?....