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We have been having some issues with Teddy, our nine year old boy. He has been favoring his right rear leg recently and has lost ten pounds. He is avoiding steps (but has always hated steps, ever since he came to us). The only finding on x-rays (under sedation) was some 'flattening' of the head of the femur. No other signs of possible osteosarcoma were present. Our vet didn't really know what to make of this finding, and thinks it could be from a possible old injury or osteoarthritis. All his lab/urine studies came back within normal limits. The vet feels that this is not something serious or catastrophic (like OS). The vet prescribed Rimadyl, Tramadol, and Dasuquin. Me, being the extremely cautious and very nervous, greyhound mom is afraid of giving him the Rimadyl after reading that there is a small chance of liver/kidney failure/death from this drug. I see that Pfizer has even issued a warning sheet that is given to pet owners who elect to use this drug. But I've also read that this drug can be very effective in treating arthritis in dogs. So I really don't know what to do about giving Teddy the Rimadyl. He has improved on the Tramadol and Dasuquin. However, I am worried because he has lost weight (while very much still enjoying eating). Also, I am still very much afraid of OS being the cause of the pain. We lost our beloved Daisy this past August after she suffered a horrible fracture walking into the kitchen; the cause most likely OS. It was an awful thing to go through and naturally I am afraid that it could happen again. Can OS present as a "flattening" of the head of the femur? could something else be the cause? Am I right in being afraid to give Teddy the Rimadyl? I realize that only I can make that decision, but am I being overly cautious in withholding a medication that could potentially help Teddy? Can dogs lose weight/muscle just because they are aging, without a serious underlying cause? I have been sick with worry since this all began. Thanks for any advice/suggestions.

The weather was pretty mild here yesterday so Sweep ran a little harder and a little longer than usual yesterday afternoon, and then I think her evening walk on top of that *really* did her in. She's been limping badly since about 7 p.m. and when there was no noticeable improvement this morning, we took her to the vet. (She was due for her annual checkup anyway and with them being closed on Sundays, I thought better safe than sorry.) The vet checked her legs, toes, pads, spine, and neck and did not feel anything out of the ordinary. Sweep whined a bit when both front feet were being examined, and in fact it was difficult for the vet to assess which front leg has the problem; she seems to be alternating which one she puts pressure on. Anyway, we were sent home with Rimadyl and instructions to take it easy, and to return Monday or Tuesday for xrays if things do not improve. Having never given Sweep any NSAIDs or painkillers before, I am wondering when I should expect to see improvement if it is in fact a pulled muscle or similar. Her spirits are good (still roaching like a champ) and her appetite is fine, but she's pretty pitiful walking-wise. She got her first dose (100 mg) about two hours ago. Thanks!

First off - we're heading to the vet in 2 hours. But I'm really worried about my boy, and was hoping for advice. I had just typed out a gigantic post, and hit a key and lost it. So this will be the abridged version. Monday, December 10 - Mork breaks a toe, and is given 14 days of Rimadyl every 12 hours. No side effects, he's his same goofy, Morky self (with a splint). Monday, December 24 - Mork gets last dose of Rimadyl that morning, and by Tuesday is noticibly painful and much gimpier Weds, December 26 - Vet visit for splint re-check (it had already been changed 2 times to watch for sores), and I asked about a further course of NSAIDs. During splint change, vet notes a pretty bad sore and wraps with additional padding. An additional 14 days of Rimadayl is prescribed, along with 7 days of Keflex for the sore. Re-check in 5 days (today). Thurs, December 27 - Mork has awful, nose hair burning gas and a little loose poop. I assume from the Keflex since there was none during the first course of Rimadyl. I added some plain yogurt and acidophilous to his meals, and this seems to help. Friday, December 28 - Mork's appetite isn't great. He will pick at his meals, but isn't as excited about them. In the 8+ years I've had him, I think this may be only the 2nd time this has happened. He will gladly eat the add-ins, but is slow to finish his kibble. I also took him for a nice little walk at the park and he was excited to go in the car. Saturday, December 29 - At about 5:30 at night, he gets up from his bed and walks to my left (about 5 feet away from me), and I assume he is heading to the door to go out. I start to get up, and he appears to stumble a bit and suddenly reverses direction and LAUNCHES himself to my right on the couch. Sorry for the caps...but Mork does not jump...ever, and that's what he did. He hit his splinted foot on the table and appeared confused and disoriented. I sat with him and just petted him for a while until he seemed to relax. We stayed there until dinner time about an hour later, and I fed him (including the Rimadyl an Keflex). As I was walking back into the living room, I noticed large wet spot where he had been laying. He urinated on the couch and on himself. This has NEVER happened. He is a pain in the butt, but he has control over his bladder and bowels. After that, I stopped the Rimadyl until I can talk to my vet. Could this have been a seizure? The problem is, the Rimadyl helps him - I think in addition to the pain of his toe, it helps with his arthritis (shoulder, feet, spine), and he's very very and unsteady again. His appetite is also still crappy, and I have to coax him to eat. I'll ask to have his bloodwork re-checked today. Has anyone experienced anything similar with either Rimadyl or Keflex? I hate that he's obviously not feeling well, in addition to the pain that he's in. Any advice, or suggestions for his pain? Thanks for reading.