Read the first post about this first, then read the comments, mol.
Comments (11)
#1
Hannie
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 10:18 am
I have a Lab & I can remember yrs ago somebody (not sure if it was a vet or just somebody in the know) told me not to give my dog Rimadyl. Something about Labs having very bad reactions to it.
Sorry these owners didn't get the same info that I got.
Vets should be aware of this & should give people options.
The internet has a wealth of information.........before you give your dog (or cat) any med for the first time, might be worth the few minutes it takes to do a little research.
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#2
Bonnie
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 10:23 am
I have friends that have had a suit in court over this drug for more than 10 years. They lost a prize imported Rottie from Belgium..still no settlements..just round and round.
Pharma has very deep pockets
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#3
Stacy
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 10:34 am
Celebrex is the only Rx NSAID (last I was aware) that is still on the market for human use. It was the only one not pulled from the market several years ago. (I know because I'm on it.)
I believe Rimadyl started out in human trials and was pulled due to the problems. Every time my dogs get a dental (or have another procedure) I have to check the take home bag and send the Rimadyl back (despite telling the techs at each drop off for surger "NO Rimadyl"). It's frustrating.
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#6
Debbie
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 11:04 amin reply to #3
Every pet owner must ask the vets what the side effects could be ALONG with looking it up on the internet. I was given Rymadyl, my dog had such a problem walking. They dont have much in the way of safe painkillers. So I needed something, I gave my dog half of what the vet prescribed along with SAM-e which is very good for the liver. Also Lipo-Form, this is another good thing to give to help the liver. Anyways, I had Grizzys blood checked sooner then I was told to and his liver enzimes were up. They werent up before so I stopped it. I would never ever use Rymadyl again and praise anyone who steps foward and confronts Phizers. There is another painkiller to look out for also. Below is a link from USA Today about Rymadyl and Deramaxx. Spread that link to all your friends so they will know.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/dr...
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#7
Stephen
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 01:47 pmin reply to #3
Celebrex and most human Rx NSAIDs stayed on the market, however they were required to have more detailed safety inserts and new packaging . Vioxx is one of a few Rx NSAIDs that were removed.
Rimadyl was removed from the market for use in humans once less expensive options were developed. This drug was used in humans for almost 10 years, starting in 1988 until it was voluntarily pulled from the market by Pfizer when Advil began successfully competing. The current version of Rimadyl is prohibited for use by humans.
I thought the info about Prozac to be narrow and much too simplistic. Years ago I treated two female dogs (mom and daughter) with prozac, and successfully ended the severe dominance aggression displayed between them. It took 6 months of drug treatment and behavior modification. Easily "weaned" them off the prozac in just a few weeks. Prozac saved one of the dogs from being rehomed or euthanized.
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#4
Joni Lowther
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 10:55 am
I support Dr. Cathy's recommendation of using homeopathic options for pain relief. Let me tell you my experience. A year ago, my 13 year old sheltie was prescribed Rimadyl for his arthritic hip. The risks were completely explained to me. Consequently I began a search for an alternative. At the recommendation of a wise friend of mine, I began giving Kipp two homeopathic medications, Zeel and Traumeel, from Heel Pharmaceuticals. These are not veterinary medications. They are manufactured for human use but can be used for our pets. I got them on line and they were very inexpensive. These meds target pain and inflammation using age old, time tested remedies; arnica, belladonna, echinacea, amongst other herbs. Admittedly, I was very skeptical that these meds could make a difference but within a week, I was amazed to see Kipp was no longer limping and soon we were taking our afternoon walks again, just like before. Kipp actually feels so good that he will overextend which will cause his limp to return so I have to watch that he doesn't get to rambunctious. A few months ago, I was talking to my brother who was concerned about his 9 year old lab's spinal arthritis and associated pain. I told Steve that he should try Zeel and Traumeel, that they made a huge difference in my sheltie's life. He tried them and called me a week later, excited. He couldn't believe the difference these meds made for Beau who was now getting up without whining and was actually thundering about again with his other two labs. When Steve and his wife went on a week vacation, they forgot to tell the dogsitter to give Beau these meds and when they got back, they found Beau was in pain again. They put him back on these meds and within four days, Beau was back to being pain free. I'm sure these meds won't be effective for everyone but I did check with my vet before I gave them to Kipp and he said that they were definitely worth trying. I'm so glad I did. They have been life changing for my special little guy and for my brother's Beau.
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#5
Two Poodles
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 10:59 am
10 yrs ago my 14lb Poodle was prescribed Rimadyl just for some leg soreness. Not even a traumatic issue. Prescribed through Banfield by the the way. A knowledgeable dog person reminded me even a couple of pills could be toxic. I confirmed it through the Internet. He had taken only 1 pill thankfully, and threw away the bottle.
Two more things: One, I can't understand why dog medication isn't accompanied by all the sheets of risks and side effects that comes with human medication. In many cases it's still based on the same chemistry.
And two, a hazzard like this being around for the last 10 years should be a good indicator that what we know isn't good for our pets today (as in pet food ingredients) will be that much worse 10 years from now if not rectified. The "bad" just never goes away all by itself!
Thank you for this reminder about Rimadyl!
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#8
Tracey
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 02:12 pm
Rimadyl is dangerours. I lost my beloved Black Labrador Smokey on July 6, 2009. My vet presrcibed my Smokey the Rimadyl for a pulled muscle and it killed him within 3 weeks. Smokey had blood in his urine, he could no longer walk, and his organs were shutting down, but at least he would eat and drink, up until the last day of his life.
I miss Smokey will all my heart, and I blame Pfizer for his death. This toxic drug should be taken off the market. I don't care what Pfizer says, this drug kills animals. My Smokey suffered horribly, and before he died, I tried to take him to UC Davis to see if they could save him, but it was too late. Please do not give your animal Rimadyl, I don't care what anyone says, it kills!
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#9
Eden Halbert
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 02:40 pm
I am no fan of pharmaceutical companies and their practices, and I'm in favor of requiring more testing and disclosure, but I'd like to present a different point of view than others here regarding rimadyl.
There is no question that the drug has the potential to be dangerous, but it also has the potential to be incredibly effective and life-changing. My 80-lb dog Luna has bone spurs that rub on her tendons, early/mild hip dysplasia, and arthritis. This was all diagnosed (via x-ray and physical exams after she showed symptoms of chronic pain) several years ago, and she is now 8. I had a long consultation with my vet, whom I trust and respect, did some research, and decided to start her on rimadyl, with some trepidation. I watched her like a hawk, did initial bloodwork, then a couple weeks later, then every 6 months, and her bloodwork has been perfect. I didn't realize just how much discomfort/pain Luna had been in until I saw the results of the removal of that pain. It was like it shaved several years off her life.
I give Luna massive amounts of fish oil, plus some glucosamine/condroitin; I feed her excellent foods, get her regular exercise and keep her weight low. I am also considering acupuncture. But I believe that pharmaceuticals are valid tools to consider, as long as you understand and weigh the risks.
People seem to think that homeopathic, supplements, or "all natural" is automatically good. Well, those carry risks as well -- after all, aren't cyanide and arsenic "all natural?" And those industries are completely unregulated, and make billions. I apply my skeptical point of view to pharmaceuticals AND to those industries.
I'm sorry for people that have had adverse reactions to rimadyl, and I hope that their lawsuits make sure that disclosure of risks is done more consistently and effectively. But I do not agree that any time a medication causes a death (human or animal), we automatically need to pull it. Everything is about intelligently weighing risks versus benefits, and my dog has quality of life because of this drug.
Respectfully,
Eden
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#10
Mollie Morrissette
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 03:55 pm
Pfizer's Rimadyl website has a warning notice at the bottom of the homepage in small type, it reads:
Signs of RIMADYL intolerance may include appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, which could indicate side effects involving the digestive tract, liver or kidneys. Some of these side effects may occur without warning and, in rare situations may be serious, resulting in hospitalization or even death. If these signs occur, discontinue RIMADYL therapy and consult your veterinarian.
...But by that time it may be too late. What i found "odd" was that there was no adverse event reported in the patient insert, so how would they know it could cause sudden death, unless the adverse event occured after the trials.
All drugs come with what's called a patient insert. If the pharmacist or vet didn't give it to you, ask for it or look it up online.
I warn you though, after reading the patient inserts of your own meds, it has been known to cause a sudden and irresistible urge to flush them all down the toilet!
Patient inserts are written in itty-bitty-teeny-tiny type folded up in a little itty-bitty square, printed on very thin paper in order to shove all that information into a teeny-tiny box. So, break out the specs and have a medical dictionary handy (there are a bunch online).
If you have your magnifying glass handy, you can read the patient insert sheet for Rimadyl online.
It's worth checking out a site called the Senior Dogs Project. They have a consumer education campaign called B.A.R.K.S. BARKS is the acronym for Be Aware of Rymadyl's Known Side-effects. It is packed with good info on Rimadyl.
And they recommend Dr. Cathy Alinovi's philosophy of pet nutrition, which will send you to a link to an article she wrote on TAPF!
I was impressed with the quality of information available on the Senior Dogs Project, especially their section on Health Care for Older Dogs. Oh, and they don't sell anything, which is always a good sign.
Also, pet parents might want to know that this January, Putney Vet started marketing a generic equivalent of Rymadyl called Caprofen Caplets to vets.
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#11
Michelle
Said this on 8-26-2011 at 03:58 pm
All drugs, human and animal, have potential side effects. Nothing is 100% safe. We all need to take precautions with what we give to our animals and to ourselves. That being said, I adopted 12 yr old Golden Retriever 18 months ago and we have tried everything - from nutrition to homeopathy to laser treatment to massage to glucosamine/fish oil/vitamen D. Nothing worked for him. He was beginning to not even be able to stand up. I asked my vet for an Rx for Rimadyl and/or it's generics. We've been using vetprofen (sp?) for about a month now and it's made all the difference in the world. Kobie now plays with his sister, they tear through the house and outside. He plays with his toys. I will have him tested every two months for liver, kidney issues, but I can't deny him an enjoyment of life by withholding these pills from him. And just because something is "natural" or homeopathic, it isn't necessarily safe either.I'm so sorry about what has happened to some dogs while on this medication. My Rx DID come with a several page list of potential side effects and my vet also educated me. You have to educate yourself on EVERYTHING you give your animals, including natural remedies and then make the best informed decision you can.