Deramaxx

"Judi Todd" <BlugrassPei.RemoveThis@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:29495-41181AC3-64@storefull-3135.bay.webtv.net...
> Actually, this is a GREAT drug for what it is used for. I know many
> people who have had their dogs on it with great success.
>
> With a 10 year old dog, I think "quality" of life is much more important
> than "quantity" and I would definitely give the dog this med for the
> great relief he could get with it. I've taken Vioxx myself for my
> arthritis, but can no longer take any form of anit-inflamatories due to
> having had severe acid reflux, resulting in surgery to create an
> artifical LES (Lower Esophageal Sphinctor). When I was able to take
> this, it gave me great relief.
>
> If this was a younger dog, with many years left, I'd say use this very
> sparingly and only when absolutely necessary. But at the age of 10, and
> being a shar-pei, he may not have many more years left. If he was my
> dog, I'd definitley use the drug on him, as long as he doesn't have any
> serious side effects. I'd trust the vet on this one.

Thanks. The adverse reactions reports that I have read indicated that some
dogs bleed-out after only a couple of doses and wanted to get some other
opinions. Our last visit was pretty bad, with lots of other issues. In the
conversation about using an internet pharmacy, the vet told me a lot of
things that I though were self-serving and illogical. He also bad mouthed
the critical care center that another doctor in the office referred us to.
Although the fees were very high, I thought they were wonderful.

Getting back to the issue, how do you tell when the drug is needed? The dog
seems to be in wonderful condition except for his rear legs. They don't
seem much different now than they were five years ago to me. I don't know
if he is really in pain. He does need to lose some weight and I am working
on that - which leads to another issue. The vet also dispensed an OTC
supplement called CreaCarb which is some sort of product that is suppose to
increase lean muscle mass and speed weight loss. I believe it is being used
by pro athletes. There seems to be a lot of controversy surrounding its
use. Again, his price for this product was 50% higher than you would pay
OTC, so we left with $40 worth of questionable product.
 >> Stay informed about: Deramaxx 

I used it briefly on a Shar-Pei with no negative side effects....but I don't
believe she was on it more than 10 days while we waited to find out the cause
for her pain.



Karen Kleinhans
Kasu Shar-Pei since 1982
Illinois, USA
 >> Stay informed about: Deramaxx 

In reading your second post, I would suggest two things:

1) try putting the dog on glucosamine and chondriotin....I've used it on
several dogs for different reasons and it really seems to help the ligaments,
tendons and joints

2) consider a different vet....you have serious doubts about this one and his
advice...and I won't have a vet I don't adore and trust with my dog's lives
so....I would suggest you find one like that....it makes the hard decisions
MUCH easier when you feel your vet is on your dog's side and CARES DEEPLY.



Karen Kleinhans
Kasu Shar-Pei since 1982
Illinois, USA
 >> Stay informed about: Deramaxx 

"Kasupei" <kasupei.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040810133714.12124.00003181@mb-m01.aol.com...
> In reading your second post, I would suggest two things:
>
> 1) try putting the dog on glucosamine and chondriotin....I've used it on
> several dogs for different reasons and it really seems to help the
ligaments,
> tendons and joints
>
> 2) consider a different vet....you have serious doubts about this one and
his
> advice...and I won't have a vet I don't adore and trust with my dog's
lives
> so....I would suggest you find one like that....it makes the hard
decisions
> MUCH easier when you feel your vet is on your dog's side and CARES DEEPLY.
>

I had him on glucosamine and chondroitin until recently as well as a coated
aspirin each day. We got a recommendation for some dog food with a high
level of Glucosamine and chondroitin last week from a breeder we know, but
have been unable to find it in our area. I think it is a safer way to go.
The Deramaxx is probably good for acute pain, but maybe not for chronic use.
It might be one of those things that is either great or kills you! In the
conversation about getting drugs from a pharmacy, the vet related a story
about how he put a dog on "a strong non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug"
that the owner got filled elsewhere because of the cost. The dog came in
with acute pain, and he administered a big dose of steroids and the dog died
due to a gastric ulcer and massive bleeding. He tried to use that as a
justification for not using a pharmacy. I guess that since he didn't
dispense the drug, he didn't notice that the dog was on the medication. I
think that reflects badly on the vet, since he should have an adequate
medical history before treating an animal. He did concede that he should
have double checked.

I really liked this office up to this point. I got the idea that it all
came down to money this time. The vet has two associates, so maybe I will
ask to seem them from now on.
 >> Stay informed about: Deramaxx