Three days ago, my excellent vet put my Ladywolf on Rimadyl, for possible pain connected to large (terminal) cancerous tumors in her groin and leg. I don't know what kind of cancer she has--probably sarcoma of some kind--because the vet and I elected not to do any invasive testing, as it so obviously cancer and cannot be treated at this point, except by me making big changes in her nutrition, which I'm most assuredly doing.

The only major side effect that Lady is showing from the Rimadyl is that she is drinking WAY more water than is normal for her. (Though I think that she might be a bit mopey and droopy too, which she wasn't before starting the drug). So I went off to research this medication, and from all that I read about it, I am now scared of it. It's been known to cause immediate DEATH after just one dose in some animals. It's known for causing kidney and liver failure very quickly too. There are tons of bad side-effects possible, and lots of pet owners think the drug is a horror!

And...lots of animals do really well on it and never develop any noticeable side effects. I'm wondering what kind of experiences you on this Forum may have had with this med? I find that I'm reluctant to give Lady any more of it, after all that I've learned about it. But I don't want to deprive Ladywolf of something that might really help her, either.
Any experience or knowledge you can share would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks.

Margi and Ladywolf

P.S. I just lost my other dog, Poppers, three weeks ago. This is a lot to take all at one time!

And, no, my vet did not do bloodwork on Lady before prescribing, in part because I couldn't afford it--and man, does THAT feel bad!

Hi Margi maybe you can just call another vet for advice over the phone and get maybe they can give thier opinion on the drug. I know some wont but there are some that might. I forget there is someone here on this site that works at a vets office I will search to see who it is. Maybe you can get her to ask at her office. I will see if I can find out who it is I will send you PM as soon I I do.

Hang in there
Anna

Thanks, Anna!

I'm going to call my own vet and ask about the excessive thirst, etc., but they are closed today, so it'll have to be tomorrow. I consulted two online vets last night, and one said to stop the drug and the other one said not to!

Margi and the Wolf

I sent you a PM and I also looked up the drug and I can see why you are so concerned. Hope you get some answers keep us posted

Anna

Thanks, Anna, I really appreciate it...

It's a scary medication, isn't it?

Margi and Ladywolf

Hi Margi..Brutus was on Rimadyl for over 5 years...100mg twice day..it is the only thing that helped his arthritis. The most common side effect is liver damage over prolonged use..Brutus had blood tests every 6 months and all his numbers came back good. Yes there is side effects in every med..you have to look at it in the way if the benefit (pain relief and anti-inflammatory) outweighs the side effects... Is she on prednisone? That would explain excessive drinking...never heard of Rimadyl causing that. They put Brutus on Prednisone when he had mast cell to help boost his immune system. Good luck..I'll be praying it provides relief for her.

Hugs,
Sonya

Perhaps your vet would be willing to work something out with you in establishing a plan to pay for the bloodwork that is more than likely to explain alot. I know it isn't cheap, but if you can find a way to manage it, it may be worth it just to know what exactly you are dealing with.

Rimadyl is also used for other conditions besides cancer. Most commonly it is used for arthritis. As I said, having the bloodwork done can rule out the cancer and perhaps ease your mind somewhat. Anxiety can make your mind go nuts and I'm sure you don't want to pass on that anxiety to Lady.

Rimadyl can have many side effects including change of appetite, a yellowing of the skin or eyes, change of bowel movements, behavioral changes and ALSO changes in your pet's drinking and urination habits. There can be worse side effects as well which I won't go into but would advise you to check with her vet ASAP.

FYI you may already know this but I will put this out for everyone to see. Prescription medicines for animals can be very expensive. Until recently I didn't know that I can have my dogs prescriptions filled at any pharmacy. WALMART is about half the cost than that of any other pharmacy around and also much less expensive than getting them from the vet's office. Finding this out saved me quite a bit of money. Perhaps now knowing this can help another here as well, since most of us pay out of pocket for scripts.

Good luck with Ladywolf Margi. I know only too well the worries that can be overwhelming at times when our furry kids aren't feeling well.

Sending you hugs of comfort and peace from my heart to yours,
Beth

Thanks, Beth and everyone, for your input.

"Rimadyl is also used for other conditions besides cancer. Most commonly it is used for arthritis. As I said, having the bloodwork done can rule out the cancer and perhaps ease your mind somewhat. Anxiety can make your mind go nuts and I'm sure you don't want to pass on that anxiety to Lady."

Unfortunately, all that bloodwork would do is confirm the cancer, Beth. My vet is certain that this is what it is, and it's quite advanced--that's why she didn't want to disturb the tumors by aspirating or biopsying. Lady had sarcoma a year ago, on a different leg. That one was just barely operable, but it was removed and that leg is doing fine. But it's no mystery that it has turned up again in another place.

She's not on Prednisone or any other med, except all kinds of supplements that I am adding to her diet, which now consists only of really GOOD stuff: meat, eggs, cottage cheese, brown rice, organ meats, flaxseed oil--anything and everything that has been recommended as being really really good for her. No more commercial dog food. It may help and it may not, but at least she's really enjoying her meals, and I'll know that I did everything possible that I could to try to help her.

My vet reminded me today that they did bloodwork on Ladywolf less than a year ago, when she had the last surgery, and that they consider that adequate. I'm not sure I agree, but my vet takes NO time payments and I just can't afford to have that bloodwork done again right now, what with all the special dietary stuff I am buying and begging from the local butcher. (Man, am I lucky to have a local butcher!)

I've posted a lot in the death and dying Forum about all of this--my sadness and anxiety, etc. Of course I don't want to pass it on to Lady, but I can't "fake it," either... She is my last remaining living relative--the only thing that has been constant in my life for the past 14 years. NOTHING else has remained the same--and neither has she--she has aged and so have I, and it just is what it is.

The vet said today that she weighed the risks of Rimadyl carefully, that she prescribes it rarely, but that she thought that it was indicated in Ladywolf's case. So I'm going back to giving it to her. Yes, excessive thirst IS a common side-effect of Rimadyl. I'm glad to hear of dogs who have done so well on it...

Thanks again, everyone. This forum is a godsend, as I just lost Poppers, my labrador and Ladywolf's constant life companion, not even a month ago. This is a lot to take all at once (Lady was just diagnosed a few days ago.)

XXOO--

Margi and her Wolf

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. That feeling of powerlessness can be soooooooooooo overwhelming. I completely understand and see that you are doing everything you can to keep her comfortable.

For nearly a year now I have homecooked for my babies. Go to Dr. Good Pet, you can find it online. The products are wonderful and very healthy. They will tell you the right amount of vegies as well as meat to combine. I add omega 3 fatty acids, a multi vitamin, and a digestive enzyme to Browser & Gidget's food. Nothing but the best for my little hooligans, that's for sure.

Add lots of lovin' and you have the perfect diet for Ladywolf.

Hugs of love and comfort from my heart to yours,
Beth