Yamaha_gurl Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 Call the vet- sounds like its time to medicate your hound. Many vets will start with NSAIDs and a pain killer like tramadol. I hear ya, however part of me hates just throwing pills at her, I was hoping for some other methods. Quote Greyhound Collars : www.collartown.ca Maggie (the human servant), with Miss Bella, racing name "A Star Blackieto" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindles Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) An MRI is not cheap. I'd be trying something else first. you could ask for radiographs, but this may be more muscular than skeletal. Maggie, if you want to avoid drugs, go to a horse & tack shop and pick up some liniment (trainer's choice is my favorite) and either ichthammol or numotizine or both. Mix them together and massage her neck and saddle area with it every day for a week. That's what we use in the race kennel and it does amazing things for soreness. ETA- a friend of mine had a horseback riding accident that messed up her neck. The torn muscles eventually healed, but now the scar tissue that formed presses down on nerves and gives her terrible headaches. She has to go get a deep tissue massage once a month to relieve the pressure and she swears by it. People look first for problems in the bones and nerves, but muscles often get overlooked. Don't underestimate what a therapeutic massage can do. If you want, I can take a video of how we do it in the race kennel. Just let me know. Edited June 13, 2012 by Brindles Quote | Rachel | Dewty, Trigger, and Charlotte | Missing Dazzle, Echo, and Julio | Learn what your greyhound's life was like before becoming part of yours!"The only thing better than the cutest kitty in the world is any dog." -Daniel Tosh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnzaFerrari Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 This sounds like what Enza had off and on for months. We finally saw two specialists and the result was pinched nerves/shrinking vertebra in her neck. The treatment has been occasional NSAIDs to help with the swelling, resting her for awhile (short walks for almost 6 months) and no running, and at some point I will do acupuncture when the budget allows it. Do understand that an MRI is very pricey ($2000 in the DC area) and that your dog would have to be fully under for at least an hour. That is a risk I am unwilling to take with Enza unless absolutely necessary. While I can understand wanting to avoid drugs, your dog is in serious pain and if three to four days of rimadyl will fix her up (as it did Enza), it is absolutely worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Accupuncture has really helped my neck/spine problem greys. Like you I am EXTREMELY reluctant to medicate with what so many consider innocuous medications. Too many adverse rxns for me to be comfortable and who knows about long term use ramifications. Threrefore I use the barest minimum of rx's for the shortest time necessary and then maintain a daily regimen of holistic alternatives that are thought to be and I feel are safer. Prednisone is an ultra last resort IMO because it was heartbreaking to watch it melt a little of Aggie away each day until there was the barest wisp of a sad skeletal dog left. Robaxin seems to sometimes help but it is possible for it to relax them too much and then the disc slips out WORSE and the condition becomes worse(learned that with Cash)-so IMO dosage is critical for Robaxin and I generally only use half the regular dosage and it seems to still work. Tramadol I have been happy with, Used it on many hounds and it seemed to be effective with no side effects. Only use these things breifly during "flare ups" of the pain/condition. Daily "meds" depend on the dog but to use Momma as an example she gets 1 DGP pill, 1 Advanced Joint Health, and 1 Duralactin twice a day. I break them in little pieces and add little piece of dried liver and she gobbles them all down. She also gets Springtime Longevity in her food. This keeps her in great shape most of the time. If the conditon flares up I'll start her on the Tramadol and Robaxin and stop as soon as the conditon is improved-sometimes only 2 or 3 days. I also start at the same time a professional strength arnica tincture, hypericum tincture, and traumeel drops. I continue with the homeopathics for around a week - 10 days and if all is still well then stop them and just keep her on her regular daily Duaralactin etc. This works great for Momma and I believe it is the safest way to control her condition. Each dog is different and I wind up customizing their treatment plan with my holistic/accupuncture vet. If it ever gets as bad as Cash's did then honestly I don't believe there is ANY medication or treatment that can help because from my experience paralysis and cord damage is the inevitable result. Cash's case was notably worse than usual. Probably nearly half of my hounds have had neck/spinal injuries/problems and they all have responded well to the type of protocol above and it has not hurt their quality of life. The Duaralctin has been surprisingly effective for me and it should be ultra safe for daily use. The only other thing is limiting exercise and guarding thier neck from any strain or pressure. From what I have found out restricting their activity is critical and essential especially in the early stages of a flare up. If you don't, continued activity/movement could make the disc(if that's what it is) get worse and worse. I tend to try to err on the side of caution when it comes to their activity restriction since the results of not allowing enough time can be so devastating but the results of doing it a little too long have no consequences. IMO harnesses are important too. But this protocol has worked well on my dogs and I havn't had to worry about the consequences of longterm NSAID use etc. An MRI is not cheap. I'd be trying something else first. you could ask for radiographs, but this may be more muscular than skeletal. Maggie, if you want to avoid drugs, go to a horse & tack shop and pick up some liniment (trainer's choice is my favorite) and either ichthammol or numotizine or both. Mix them together and massage her neck and saddle area with it every day for a week. That's what we use in the race kennel and it does amazing things for soreness. ETA- a friend of mine had a horseback riding accident that messed up her neck. The torn muscles eventually healed, but now the scar tissue that formed presses down on nerves and gives her terrible headaches. She has to go get a deep tissue massage once a month to relieve the pressure and she swears by it. People look first for problems in the bones and nerves, but muscles often get overlooked. Don't underestimate what a therapeutic massage can do. If you want, I can take a video of how we do it in the race kennel. Just let me know. Numotizine Cataplasm is in my miracle drug book. As you mentioned VERY effective on humans too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I'd try 'Taumeel' before putting her on a NSAID. http://www.traumeel.com/ I also vote for Chirop/Accupuncture... our vet is certified in both. Perhaps there is one in your area as well. Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) . Don't underestimate what a therapeutic massage can do. If you want, I can take a video of how we do it in the race kennel. Just let me know. I'm just a bit worried that if it's something other than a muscle issue, I could do more damage right? traumeel drops. Thank you for all the info...this is sticking out to me since both you and Batterseabrindel suggested it. Now, I'm seeing it comes in a topical form and drops, any suggestions as to which one I should go for? Edit: Part of me is thinking to put her on an anit-inflamatory/pain med...would Tramadol be a good choice? What are the others to consider? Edited June 13, 2012 by Yamaha_gurl Quote Greyhound Collars : www.collartown.ca Maggie (the human servant), with Miss Bella, racing name "A Star Blackieto" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 . Don't underestimate what a therapeutic massage can do. If you want, I can take a video of how we do it in the race kennel. Just let me know. I'm just a bit worried that if it's something other than a muscle issue, I could do more damage right? traumeel drops. Thank you for all the info...this is sticking out to me since both you and Batterseabrindel suggested it. Now, I'm seeing it comes in a topical form and drops, any suggestions as to which one I should go for? Edit: Part of me is thinking to put her on an anit-inflamatory/pain med...would Tramadol be a good choice? What are the others to consider? I have used both the Traumeel cream rub and the drops. It also comes in pills. It has been my experience that the oral forms are more effective. I prefer the drops because they are easier to administer than a pill (and she already takes enough"pills' to get down her as it is). I would not use Traumeel everyday. I would save it for when the condition flares up. I would start her on Duralactin daily forever. It IS effective for reducing inflammation and has really helped my dogdogs. Also might consider DGP pills daily and by all means some quality chrondroitan/glucosimine daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnzaFerrari Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) I used Rimadyl for Enza as she had no side effects and the impact was immediate. I only gave her a half dose and yet that still was quite effective. She would go from being rather cautious to prancing like a princess within 24 hours. While I understand most dogs do fine on Tramadyl, she did not. She was either manic and panting or stoned out and falling off the sofa. Of course the manic stage was at 4 am and then stoned and passed out stage was in the evening. Perhaps if they had been reversed.... Edited June 13, 2012 by EnzaFerrari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhead Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 (edited) We've mostly only used tramadol in combo with gabapentin, but it works really well for Spencer's disk issues (3 bulging ones). For Shane, whose issues are more muscular, the muscle relaxer methocarbamol works wonders when he needs it, though lately we've had to add tramadol for him also. We had no luck with traumeel, but that's not to say it doesn't work for others. ETA: Rimadyl didn't do a thing for Shane's troubles. Spencer has never been a candidate for NSAIDS due to GI issues. Edited June 13, 2012 by greyhead Quote Mary with Jumper Jack (2/17/11) and angels Shane (PA's Busta Rime, 12/10/02 - 10/14/16) and Spencer (Dutch Laser, 11/25/00 - 3/29/13). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted June 13, 2012 Author Share Posted June 13, 2012 I emailed my vet regarding putting her on a nsaid, he suggests metacam, I'll pick it up tonight and go from there. It's so sad seeing her in pain I blocked off the stairs this morning, and dragged down a futon so she can lay on that, just incase she isn't interested in her bed or the couch...yup, futon mattress in the middle of the living room. Quote Greyhound Collars : www.collartown.ca Maggie (the human servant), with Miss Bella, racing name "A Star Blackieto" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Not to confuse you further , but like racindog said, each dog is different, so you may need to adjust what you do over time. I've had several dogs on Metacam for arthritis and it worked well without side effects. I also had Fletcher on Traumeel pills for a couple of years for his arthritis before we went to Metacam. When Molly had her neck injury last year, I just used Tramadol and restricted activity. Restricted activity is key, as it can take several weeks for neck injuries to heal, and the dog will start to feel better and may want to do more. Don't listen to them! I let Molly talk me into walks too soon, and it delayed her healing by several weeks I have also used acupuncture, rimadyl, and Chinese herbs for Fletcher's arthritis, as well as supplements. Everyone gets supplements (me too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindles Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Don't underestimate what a therapeutic massage can do. If you want, I can take a video of how we do it in the race kennel. Just let me know. I'm just a bit worried that if it's something other than a muscle issue, I could do more damage right? Unless you're massaging with heavy hands, probably not. Some pressure is needed to get the blood flowing but it doesn't have to be excessive. I emailed my vet regarding putting her on a nsaid, he suggests metacam, I'll pick it up tonight and go from there. It's so sad seeing her in pain I blocked off the stairs this morning, and dragged down a futon so she can lay on that, just incase she isn't interested in her bed or the couch...yup, futon mattress in the middle of the living room. Most greyhounds tend to respond best to Rimadyl, but Metacam was the only one that worked for Echo. The problem is that Metacam comes in a liquid form (huge inconvenience imo) and also very expensive ($90+/month in my area). I had my vet call in the generic script (meloxicam) to Target and I was able to get a month's supply for $4. Quote | Rachel | Dewty, Trigger, and Charlotte | Missing Dazzle, Echo, and Julio | Learn what your greyhound's life was like before becoming part of yours!"The only thing better than the cutest kitty in the world is any dog." -Daniel Tosh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamaha_gurl Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Well, we are on metacam for the time being. Gave it to her at 6 yesterday, no cries at night or this morning...she even tried to roach! SO, with that info...what does that rule out? Or say about what could be wrong? IF it were a slipped disc, she would have issues with walking/balence right? She likes her neck massaged, so that could mean it's a muscle issues...blah, I'm just going on and on, just want her pain free and healed. Quote Greyhound Collars : www.collartown.ca Maggie (the human servant), with Miss Bella, racing name "A Star Blackieto" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Well, we are on metacam for the time being. Gave it to her at 6 yesterday, no cries at night or this morning...she even tried to roach! SO, with that info...what does that rule out? Or say about what could be wrong? IF it were a slipped disc, she would have issues with walking/balence right? She likes her neck massaged, so that could mean it's a muscle issues...blah, I'm just going on and on, just want her pain free and healed. probably rules out major disc injury (ruptured, etc) but not much else. the Metacam is helping the pain, so just keep her quiet (as possible ) and give it some more time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 She probably just wrenched something, especially if she's an active girl. Yes wrenched is the technical term. Rimadyl and Metacam are good for soft tissue injuries where swelling is a concern. I would keep her quiet too (no running, jumping, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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