Alex Limping & Big Wrist

[carronstar]

I am so sorry to hear this diagnosis. Many prayers for Alex for lots of happy, pain free days ahead.

[gryhndsr4us]

What an adorable picture! Love the look on his face. Give that sweet boy a kiss.

[Magdalyn58]

I'm so, so sorry to hear this news. Sending lots of prayers for you all.

[Guest angel]

My heart is breaking for you.

 

I have not been on this website for a while. My boy also died from OS. The pictures of the swelling in your pup looked exactly like Dash's when he was diagnosed.

We opted for amputation and chemo. He lived a very happy and active life as a tripod for almost a year, just short of his 8th birthday. The end came very quickly. He started coughing and gagging one weekend last August and we said goodbye to him a few days later.

 

I am crying as I type this, it still hurts to think about it.

 

You will receive a lot of support from all of the wonderful members on this forum. I cannot express enough my appreciation for all of their comfort when it was needed. You are not alone in this horrible journey.

 

Wishing you and Alex many happy and pain free days that you can lock into your memories of him.

[LakeshoreGreys]

The Rimadyl was working - he had no limping at all until yesterday, when he limped just a little. Today he's limping a lot. And it appears larger today too. Had the vet prescribe Tramadol and we picked that up on Thursday. Thanks to those who suggested getting it right away and having it on hand, because we did give him one this morning (and just gave him another as the limping did not improve at all). I feel so bad for my boy, and I'm hoping that this second pill does the trick.

 

I did ask her if there was something more effective than the Rimadyl but she said there is a 10 day waiting period between drugs. ??? Is that due to liver issues?

[Batmom]

Moreso due to the risk of gastric bleeding/perforation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as Rimadyl, Deramaxx, aspirin, plus steroids such as prednisone -- these drugs feed on each other in a bad way. Hence the drying-out period if you want to switch from one to another. I've usually heard less than 10 days, but still talking days plural, not hours.

 

Sending along hugs for yourself and scritchies for your handsome boy.

[LakeshoreGreys]

Thanks for the clarification, Jey!

 

I just wish I would have had the foresight to choose the best pain medication to treat osteo right away. It breaks my heart to see him like this.

[Batmom]

Actually, you probably already have the best -- combo of NSAID + Tramadol.

[GeorgeofNE]

The Rimadyl was working - he had no limping at all until yesterday, when he limped just a little. Today he's limping a lot. And it appears larger today too. Had the vet prescribe Tramadol and we picked that up on Thursday. Thanks to those who suggested getting it right away and having it on hand, because we did give him one this morning (and just gave him another as the limping did not improve at all). I feel so bad for my boy, and I'm hoping that this second pill does the trick.

 

I did ask her if there was something more effective than the Rimadyl but she said there is a 10 day waiting period between drugs. ??? Is that due to liver issues?

 

This post appears to be from today--Sunday. Why can't you pick it up today? Tramadol can be purchased at ANY human pharmacy. I take it myself. You don't need to get it from your vet!

 

I'm so sorry to read about Alex.

[tbhounds]

Consider adding gabapentin to your drug protocol. I'm not judging by any means but, may I ask why no amp?

[LakeshoreGreys]

The Rimadyl was working - he had no limping at all until yesterday, when he limped just a little. Today he's limping a lot. And it appears larger today too. Had the vet prescribe Tramadol and we picked that up on Thursday. Thanks to those who suggested getting it right away and having it on hand, because we did give him one this morning (and just gave him another as the limping did not improve at all). I feel so bad for my boy, and I'm hoping that this second pill does the trick.

 

I did ask her if there was something more effective than the Rimadyl but she said there is a 10 day waiting period between drugs. ??? Is that due to liver issues?

 

This post appears to be from today--Sunday. Why can't you pick it up today? Tramadol can be purchased at ANY human pharmacy. I take it myself. You don't need to get it from your vet!

 

I'm so sorry to read about Alex.

 

Sorry I wasn't very clear - we do have the tramadol. Thanks to advice I received here, I had her prescribe and fill it right away so that we had it when we needed it.

[LakeshoreGreys]

Consider adding gabapentin to your drug protocol. I'm not judging by any means but, may I ask why no amp?

 

I'll have to call tomorrow and ask about the gabapentin. Thanks for the tip!

 

Thanks for asking about the amp so gently. It's something DH and I went back and forth on many times since we saw his ankle. We did consider it because it would eliminate his pain from the osteo. From what I was able to research, it is very pricey especially combined with radiation therapy, plus he would have recovery time from his surgery as well. And it seems that results are kind of a crap shoot. If there were a better probability of a positive outcome, or if the amp would totally remove the cancer from his body...

[Guest ellieb]

Consider adding gabapentin to your drug protocol. I'm not judging by any means but, may I ask why no amp?

 

I'll have to call tomorrow and ask about the gabapentin. Thanks for the tip!

 

Thanks for asking about the amp so gently. It's something DH and I went back and forth on many times since we saw his ankle. We did consider it because it would eliminate his pain from the osteo. From what I was able to research, it is very pricey especially combined with radiation therapy, plus he would have recovery time from his surgery as well. And it seems that results are kind of a crap shoot. If there were a better probability of a positive outcome, or if the amp would totally remove the cancer from his body...

 

That was asked in a very gentle way. Very considerate. How old is Alex?

 

It is a very difficult & personal decision. When Indigo was diagnosed (2 weeks ago today), my immediate gut reaction was "No amputation. No chemo." I wanted to keep her as comfortable as possible and love every minute we had left. Then, people start PMing me, texting and calling. They think they are helping, but they mess with your head and your heart. I am fortunate enough to have a greyt friend who has been through this 3 times. She knew EXACTLY what I was feeling. She helped me work through what was best for Indigo and me.

 

Indigo limps, but still tries to run after squirrels. She is on Tramadol 4X per day and Rimadyl 2X per day. For now, this is keeping her comfortable. Her appetite is good and she is very much "herself".

 

I have heard others mention Gabapentin. Is that a big help when it gets worse?

 

Keep the faith.

 

Ellie

[Sirocco_Nikki]

What kind of dosing schedule did your vet say you could use for the Rimadyl and Tramadol? When Sirocco was diagnosed with OS last July, our vet told us to give him a Tramadol whenever he seemed to be in pain. He agreed with us that quality of life was our only concern for Sirocco and that the risk of pain was far worse than the risk of side effects. Sirocco's OS was very aggressive. He had his biopsy on Friday and by Sunday morning, the tumor had doubled in size.

 

Edited to say: We went the pain control only route with Sirocco. I fixed him a strawberry shortcake every night. We fed him roast turkey, soft vegetables and potatoes, and whatever else he wanted. I have never regretted our decision even once. Even if his cancer had not been so aggressive, I would not have done the amp/chemo route. Sirocco was our separation anxiety boy and the trauma to him from being away from home was just not worth it. Sending lots of hugs. Any decision made out of love will be the right one.

Edited March 28, 2011 by Sirocco_Nikki

[LakeshoreGreys]

How old is Alex?

 

Indigo limps, but still tries to run after squirrels. She is on Tramadol 4X per day and Rimadyl 2X per day. For now, this is keeping her comfortable. Her appetite is good and she is very much "herself".

 

I have heard others mention Gabapentin. Is that a big help when it gets worse?

 

Keep the faith.

 

Ellie

 

Thanks Ellie! So sorry that you're going thru this with Indigo.

 

 

What kind of dosing schedule did your vet say you could use for the Rimadyl and Tramadol? When Sirocco was diagnosed with OS last July, our vet told us to give him a Tramadol whenever he seemed to be in pain. He agreed with us that quality of life was our only concern for Sirocco and that the risk of pain was far worse than the risk of side effects. Sirocco's OS was very aggressive. He had his biopsy on Friday and by Sunday morning, the tumor had doubled in size.

 

Edited to say: We went the pain control only route with Sirocco. I fixed him a strawberry shortcake every night. We fed him roast turkey, soft vegetables and potatoes, and whatever else he wanted. I have never regretted our decision even once. Even if his cancer had not been so aggressive, I would not have done the amp/chemo route. Sirocco was our separation anxiety boy and the trauma to him from being away from home was just not worth it. Sending lots of hugs. Any decision made out of love will be the right one.

 

He's on 75mg of Rimadyl 2x daily. The Tramadol says 1-50mg tablet every 12 hours, but that we can increase to a max of 2.75 tablets every 6 hours. He weighs 78#.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with Sirocco.

[cmc333]

I think that you can go even higher on the tramadol if needed. Gabapentin helped Gypsy with her pain from OS. The day she crossed I had upped her dosage over the "maximum" to try to get the pain under control and really couldn't manage it. She went downhill very fast, even though we diagnosed it really early. She was on the max doses of tramadol, rimadyl and gabapentin from day one and I never could get her pain totally controlled. We only had her for a month, 2 days after dx. Treasure every day, every moment, every little second. The end comes way too soon and way too awfully.

[LakeshoreGreys]

For those of you who have used Gabapentin, what was the dosage and where was the best price?

 

My vet doesn't carry it, so they want me to let them know what people pharmacy I want to use. Wondering if it's one of those $5 Walmart-type drugs.

 

I plan to search around this afternoon, but thought maybe someone would know offhand and save me some phone calls!

 

Thanks

[Houndtime]

Try to price gabapentin or neurantin (?sp). I don't know a Walmart price, but it has to be less expensive there. Fuzzy could take up to 3 (100 mgs) at a time, 3 times a day. The capsules we had in the house were 300 mgs, so we just gave him one at time, 2x a day and he did fine. Of course, he wasn't in your dog's situation. Good luck.

[LakeshoreGreys]

Got the big Arby's roast beef sammich and a Dairy Queen double dish of vanilla all ready for Alex. He is in a lot of pain regardless of being maxxed out on meds, is limping a lot, and the tumor has doubled in size, so we are taking him in tomorrow morning to say goodbye. But first, he gets his extra special yums. And of course we'll continue with our extra attention and love until the end. ♥

[tbhounds]

Sorry-- I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Love him lots tonight.

[Batmom]

I'm sorry you don't have more time together. What a wonderful meal for him, tho. He has been so lucky to share his life with you.

 

Hugs.

[45MPHK9]

I am so sorry.

[Guest bethac]

I am so very sorry to read this. It has been a very tough week for so many ... Indigo, Alex, and others.

 

Thank you for giving Alex such a wonderful love-filled life.

[Remolacha]

so hard when that time comes

[Guest FreddyGirl]

So sorry. Love your baby