Gracie is in pain, don't know what's wrong... Help!

CorkyMax · 12-14-2009

Wasn't going to but Guess I am--Going to comment here!!!
I wouldn't bet on my dog's life either---Which is why mine will never get Rimadyl!!!

And for the record I never told anyone what TO GIVE anything in place of it!! I left that up to a more knowledgeable person.

And if anyone thinks they can rely on most vets for keeping their dog safe from some of the 'crap' they prescribe---Better think again. Before a vet prescribes Rimadyl (for one), blood work is suppose to be done to make sure the kidney and liver functions are okay---So how many of them do that and how many give you written info on the nature (hazards) of the drug?!! If the kidney or/and liver is not healthy or if there is kidney disease,(which can be present without knowing about it if no blood work done etc.--Nice the vet is taking a chance with your dog's life!!)--This da*n Rimadyl could kill your dog almost instantly after only one or two pills given!!! And would the vet be liable---No way! But you just lost your 'baby'---No thanks, if the only way to know what your vet has prescribed is to look it up on the internet and get some idea of the dangers and what to look for---You bet I am going to check it out. And I am not telling anybody to use something that is 'prescribed' on the net. So how is there any harm done if it is just checking on things that can be (and are) dangerous----I am not giving anything--I am taking away a life-threatening possibility!! This rimadyl is a very potent med--It was banned for human use and I'll bet you if everyone cared about their dog the way most of us in this forum do and that the same laws and concerns applied to dogs---This da*ned drug would be banned for dogs too.---That is eventually when the government did their job right and to he*l with the greedy, could care less pharmeceutical companies! (Too bad they aren't liable--but they have so much power/money that they'd get out of it anyhow!)

cherylmartin · 12-14-2009

Thank you Corky/Max-just like Rimadyl, ProIn (phenylpropanolamine) has been banned by the FDA for human consumption for it caused strokes in a lot of young women. Why was it not taken off the market for pets? Answer me that.

I feel if you are not given any info like a CIS, then you have no where else to turn but to the internet for searching-that's what it is a tool. I would do this for my husband, my other children. You read all you can and then make an educated decision. All the sites that sell ProIn, Rimadyl-tell you about side effects, adverse reactions-when not to give.... Then why isn't our vet required to do this? When the vet dishes out meds, he, in my opinion, becomes a pharmacist and should give me something! Why aren't they? Is the manufacturer not giving it to the Vet?

If I ever adopt again, I will never put anything in their mouth before checking it out. I will ask my vet for this information. It is their respondsibilty to have it-not mine to research.

gracieownsme · 12-14-2009

The vet discussed Gracie's X-ray with me, and explained that she has two (I'm going to sound stupid here, because I can't remember exactly what he said...) but it was two places where there was narrowing in the (cartilage) of the spine near her rear... ?? But he also said it wasn't serious now, but that she probably aggravated it by rough play, jumping off the bed... He said that she should stay calm with no jumping for a few weeks but when she feels better, 'let her be a dog' and do what she feels like doing. The good news is: Today she seems so much better. I haven't had to give her any more meds, but I'm babying her. I slept with a mattress on the floor last night with her by my side... so she'd not be jumping off the bed at night when I was sleeping, and it worked out fine...
I appreciate your help, and thank you! Gracie thanks you too.

CorkyMax · 12-14-2009

Very glad to hear that Gracie is doing much better! Hope she continues to feel better every day. Thanks for keeping us updated!

gracieownsme · 12-14-2009

Oh, and one more thing... If there is a drug out there that could be dangerous to my dog, I appreciate being informed. Two years ago I took Gracie for her routine shots... she was fine and healthy when I took her in, and extremely sick weeks later. After research, I came across others with similar experiences and learned some things I didn't know... So, anytime I can gain knowledge I am game... At the same time, I know that I have to be realistic and ask myself, does the good outweigh the bad? Anyway, thanks to all who helped me through this difficult couple of days!

CorkyMax · 12-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracieownsme

Oh, and one more thing... If there is a drug out there that could be dangerous to my dog, I appreciate being informed. Two years ago I took Gracie for her routine shots... she was fine and healthy when I took her in, and extremely sick weeks later. After research, I came across others with similar experiences and learned some things I didn't know... So, anytime I can gain knowledge I am game... At the same time, I know that I have to be realistic and ask myself, does the good outweigh the bad? Anyway, thanks to all who helped me through this difficult couple of days!

You are welcome! Glad to help any way I can!Yes, those shots can be very hard on the poor dog too--esp. the rabies shot that is required by law to be repeated over and over again--Ridiculous and damaging too! Sorry, if I get started about another of these 'not called for' things that are hurting our dogs, I'll be 'hopping mad' all over again. Poor helpless dogs!

cherylmartin · 12-14-2009

I am happy to hear that Gracie is mending and that you realize, we must research anything we do for our pets. We do have the right to say no to our vets.

Mr. Vega · 12-15-2009

Hey gracie's owner,

I'm glad she's doing better and I am glad your vet is good at keeping the communication open with you - always a good sign. Sounds like some classic intervertebral disc problems. Here's how it can happen in these guys: They have cartilaginous discs between the vertebrae of their back. It normally is kinda spongy and hydrated to make for a nice cushion (don't want bone knocking bone!). So injury (like jumping off high furniture over and over) can cause damage to the disc and result in loss of hydration and replacement with scar tissue. How much scar tissue and how much loss of hydration depends on severity of injury. So, just like a grape or some other fruit, when that disc loses water it kinda shrinks and is no longer makes for a good cushion. So you can imagine how this might result in some pain and inflammation.

gracieownsme · 12-15-2009

Thank you, Mr. Vega... and yes, that is pretty much how the vet described what was going on with Gracie. My concern now is: We play ball with her and she loves loves loves it, we'll play keep-away and she runs and jumps trying to retrieve the ball.... should I refrain from ever playing her favorite game with her now, or will she be able to enjoy this game once again? I like her to stay active, but don't want to hurt her. The vet said she can resume her normal routine after feeling better, but what about the narrowing of the two places on her vertebrae? Thanks.

Mr. Vega · 12-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracieownsme

Thank you, Mr. Vega... and yes, that is pretty much how the vet described what was going on with Gracie. My concern now is: We play ball with her and she loves loves loves it, we'll play keep-away and she runs and jumps trying to retrieve the ball.... should I refrain from ever playing her favorite game with her now, or will she be able to enjoy this game once again? I like her to stay active, but don't want to hurt her. The vet said she can resume her normal routine after feeling better, but what about the narrowing of the two places on her vertebrae? Thanks.

Well, this one kinda gets down to personal preference. If it were mine? I would take it easy for a couple weeks even if symptoms have subsided. Maybe just normal walks with a nice jog up and down the street to get some exercise. Maybe I just have too much paranoia but I tend to proceed with caution when dealing with neurological (especially spinal) injury. After a week or two with no signs of pain, I think she'd be just fine to play ball. To me, knowing where to set her limits requires you to think about the injury. If she's mostly just running around on the ground (even jumping a little), that's not going to cause any huge compression on vertebrae = horizontal movement. Jumping off the bed with front limbs catching the impact and the force transferring all the way up the back, I'd think would cause twisting and compression on those discs = vertical movement = bad. Also, running up and down stairs, if you have them. Does that help?

gracieownsme · 12-16-2009

Mr. Vega... that does help, and you've explained it in a way that I understand. Thank you for your time and care in posting, I have learned a lot.

cherylmartin · 12-16-2009

gracieownsme,

Please keep us updated on Gracie's progress. All of us here care.

Cheryl and Angel Jasmine

gracieownsme · 12-16-2009

Thank you, and I will keep you updated. I appreciate your care and concern and willingness to take the time to help. Today Gracie is doing fine... just very hungry

She's dragging her toys to us, begging to play and we are accomodating her only very softly. She's not understanding that she needs some R&R for a few weeks.

gracieownsme · 12-25-2009

Gracie is now doing fine... no problems with her back; she's pretty much back to normal. Thanks goes out to all who gave me advice and opinions when my baby was not well. Merry Christmas everyone!

CorkyMax · 12-25-2009

Glad to hear that Gracie is back to normal. Give that little girl a hug for me!

Merry Christmas to both of you!

cherylmartin · 12-25-2009

So happy for both of you and Merry Christmas

mona08 · 12-31-2009

Graceownsme, i saw this when you firsat posted and because I had to get a new laptop I could not for the life of me remember my password to get in to respond. I was so worried for your little one. I have a Havanes-poodle mix and she is a little under 10 lbs so I know little dogs have the energy of 10 pups sometimes. Well I wanted to suggest you look at getting pet health insurance. I too would not have tons of money if something happened to my Meka but know I would have to figure something out because she is the love of my life. I think this forum has information on it. I pay a little over $50 a month for her. It's a small expense when I think about what would happen if I didn't have enough money for her care. There is a preventive rider as well. I just got the insurance in January and have a few receipts to send for reimbursement for a few preventive immunizations.

Also, I have a doggie playpen for Meka that she is in while I am at work. She has room to walk around and play but is confined so I don't worry about what she might get into while I am gone. It easily folds up. I am lucky so far that she doesn't jump off my bed bed but sometimes will try to jump when I putting her down for holding her. So glad I saw this so I can pay extra attention to making sure she gets on the ground safely.

I am so glad you got tons of advice and very glad to hear she is doing better. I felt so bad for you and so glad she will be ok. Heveryone have a great New Year.

Lara's mom · 01-01-2010

I highly recommend pet insurance. Both of my girls are insured and I just got my new puppy insured yesterday. I cannot even begin to tell you how important it is to have the security to know that whatever happens, you will never be forced to euthanize one of your kids because the vet bills are more than you can pay.

Especially as your dog ages, more and more issues arise. In my experience, pet insurance has been worth EVERY penny I've spent on it.

gracieownsme · 01-07-2010

A few questions about pet insurance: 1) Is there a deductable that needs to be met before they start paying? 2) Are all shots covered, or just certain ones? 3) Do you pay the vet, then get re-imbursed on each visit... or how does that work? 4) Who would you recommend?
Gracie's been doing well, and she's back to jumping on and off the bed now... but I am very cautious when it comes to playing too hard with her. Back when we were playing 'go get the toy' and throwing it from the bed Gary noticed that when she jumped off the bed she was landing on all fours which couldn't be good on her spine. No more of that game! We play keep away with her and she likes to jump for the ball also and I'm afraid she's going to twist something, so I try very hard to be careful about that too. This injury was a wake-up call for me in that I need to be more careful when playing with my baby.
Thanks so much for suggesting the insurance. I am going to look into that!

CorkyMax · 01-07-2010

[B]Here is a link I found on the 'net':

Should you buy pet insurance? - MSN Money

Want to get this to you before you leave forum! Will go get more links now--You can find a lot of info if you put pet insurance in your browser.

Dog Insurance
Pet Health Insurance - Cheap Pet Insurance - Dogs and Cats This one is advertising but has a lot of info there!

I am just going to let you put the words I have been using in your browser (pet insurance) as too many for me to deal with! But think you will find out a lot from all these sites-esp. the 2nd site I listed above.