Jack's Diagnosis Is In

[rascalsmom]

Prednisolone is on backorder. Our clinic was running low, and we've been trying to get it for the past month or two with no luck, and the distributors don't even have a release date. From what I can find, apparently prednisolone tablets are only produced by 1 manufacturer, unlike many generic drugs that are produced by multiple manufacturers.

 

Is there a particular reason your vet wants Jack on prednisolone instead of prednisone? Prednisone is converted into prednisolone by the liver in dogs (and in most other species), so the 2 are considered pretty interchangeable as long as liver function is normal.

 

I believe she wants him on prednisolone just for awhile, because his liver enzymes were slightly elevated (2.3) before the surgery. Last week they had come down to 2. Her plan is to switch him to prednisone, and perhaps to budesonide at some point.

 

Thanks for the info on why they can't get the tablets. Nobody at the vet clinic told me it was backordered.

 

They are getting me some flavored chews from an out of state compounding pharmacy. Good thing, because he really hates the grape syrup. And who knows if he's getting the full dose, since some of it dribbles out.

[DaisyDoodle]

If you're using a sweetened syrup, please be careful that it doesn't contain any sweeteners that are harmful to dogs.

[rascalsmom]

If you're using a sweetened syrup, please be careful that it doesn't contain any sweeteners that are harmful to dogs.

I would hope that the vet/pharmacist would know if this stuff is OK.... I don't need anything else going wrong with my dog!

 

He most definitely does NOT like the syrup.

[DaisyDoodle]

If you're using a sweetened syrup, please be careful that it doesn't contain any sweeteners that are harmful to dogs.

I would hope that the vet/pharmacist would know if this stuff is OK.... I don't need anything else going wrong with my dog!

 

He most definitely does NOT like the syrup.

 

I wouldn't assume that pharmacists know about the idiosyncrasies of canine nutrition. If you plan to use it again, I'd ask what the sweetener is.

 

Xylitol, a natural sweetener, is toxic for dogs. http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Xylitol_toxicity_in_dogs

 

I assume that any artificial sweetener would also be bad for dogs.

[rascalsmom]

I certainly hope not to use it again, hopefully he only has to take 3 more doses, and then maybe the compounded chews will be in. Or the vet will switch him to plain old prednisone, which is, with any luck, a whole lot easier to get. I have been amazed that they gave him the HUMAN syrup, as I wondered if that could be "right" for him. From the smell, it is definitely something a child would take--and that alone makes me wonder about sweeteners.

Edited October 22, 2012 by rascalsmom

[JJNg]

I have been amazed that they gave him the HUMAN syrup, as I wondered if that could be "right" for him.

 

Most pharmacies only carry human products, so that's probably all they had. Relatively speaking, there are very few drugs produced specifically for pets, and these are usually only sold through vet clinics. The majority of common medications and generics that we use are human products.

 

And I second DaisyDoodle's comment about pharmacists not knowing about pets' needs. Pharmacists are only trained in human medicine and do not receive any education in veterinary medicine. In the vet profession, this is one of the biggest concerns about an increasing number of pharmacies starting to also carry veterinary drugs and advertising to pet owners.

[rascalsmom]

I have been amazed that they gave him the HUMAN syrup, as I wondered if that could be "right" for him.

 

Most pharmacies only carry human products, so that's probably all they had. Relatively speaking, there are very few drugs produced specifically for pets, and these are usually only sold through vet clinics. The majority of common medications and generics that we use are human products.

 

And I second DaisyDoodle's comment about pharmacists not knowing about pets' needs. Pharmacists are only trained in human medicine and do not receive any education in veterinary medicine. In the vet profession, this is one of the biggest concerns about an increasing number of pharmacies starting to also carry veterinary drugs and advertising to pet owners.

 

Oh, I realize I would be getting a "human" medicine from a pharmacy. What I found astounding is that they (vet + pharmacist) decided to dispense the syrup. The pharmacist contacted the vet to see what she wanted to do, since he didn't have the tablets. It seemed very strange to give a dog syrup....human TABLETS, sure, but syrup?? What else is in that, besides the medication; has to be something to make it syrupy.

[JJNg]

Oh ok, sorry I misunderstood. "Syrup" is essentially just the liquid form of medication, and for humans, it's usually the children's version. We use liquid humans meds for little dogs fairly often since the tablets can be too big. For example, we use liquid Benedryl, various antibiotic suspensions, and phenobarbital liquid for little dogs, among many others. The only commonly used liquid medication I'm aware of that contains xylitol is gabapentin.

[rascalsmom]

Is sodium saccharin OK? I researched what is in this stuff a little bit online (label was covered with the pharmacy label, and they didn't give me an information leaflet) and it looks like it's got saccharine and sucrose in it.

 

Jack seems different today. Won't lay in his bed, sort of "down". a bit restless.

 

I am still up because he didn't seem settled.

[JJNg]

Xylitol is the only artificial or sugar-free sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Other ones like saccharin (Sweet 'N Low), aspartame (Equal/Nutrasweet), and sucrulose (Splenda) are probably not all that healthy, but are not toxic and unlikely to cause problems in the small amounts they'd be getting in medication.

[krissn333]

Unless they happen to cause tummy upset in your specific dog...

 

I cannot eat anything that has fake sugar in it or it feels like an alien is clawing its way out of my stomach

 

Hopefully the chews arrive soon

[a_daerr]

How is Jack doing today?

[rascalsmom]

the chews are in! We will get them tomorrow, so only 2 more doses of nasty syrup.

 

He is doing a little better today. Still not on his bed much, which is weird.

 

And sutures come out tomorrow too!

[gryhnd_adoptee]

the chews are in! We will get them tomorrow, so only 2 more doses of nasty syrup.

 

He is doing a little better today. Still not on his bed much, which is weird.

 

And sutures come out tomorrow too!

 

Just a thought, but does he like yogurt? I give liquid Glucosamine to my girls and add it to yogurt and they go crazy for it.

[rascalsmom]

He isn't allowed ANYTHING except the prescription food.

[krissn333]

It's crazy how much we take for granted until our pup is put on a restrictive diet...you never realize how much other stuff you give them on a daily basis until that happens

Edited October 23, 2012 by krissn333

[rascalsmom]

It's crazy how much we take for granted until our pup is put on a restrictive diet...you never realize how much other stuff you give them on a daily basis until that happens

 

Isn't that the truth! I told my daughter today, while we were forcing the grape syrup into Jack, that it was too bad it wasn't apple flavored. Jack LOVES apples, and can't have them anymore. He used to share an apple with me every day.

[rascalsmom]

New blood work numbers:

 

Albumin is up to 3, from 2.3 last week.

Total protein is 5.1, also up from last week.

 

Both numbers are in the NORMAL range!!

 

Now if Jack would just regain some weight....

[4My2Greys]

Great news on the bloodwork. Maybe now that that is back to normal he'll start putting some weight back on.

[rascalsmom]

Great news on the bloodwork. Maybe now that that is back to normal he'll start putting some weight back on.

That is my hope. He is obviously not losing protein like before, and he is eating more than he ever has, so hopefully at his next checkup on Nov. 6 we will see a weight gain, rather than another loss.

[TheFullHouse]

Awesome update!

[racindog]

Yippee!

[Guest grey_dreams]

Great news! Good to hear that Jack is responding well!

[a_daerr]

YAY! So happy to hear this news. Go Jack!

[rascalsmom]

We have now reduced Jack's medication by 5 mg per day. , from 50 mg daily to 45. The vet and the specialist she consulted with are concerned about his poop being so soft/unformed, so I suggested adding the probiotic back into the mix, and she agreed.

 

That was a couple of days ago (medication reduction/probiotic) and the poop is looking more like poop and less like pudding! Still very soft, but better. .

 

She said it could take quite awhile for him to start gaining weight, especially since he is on ultra low fat food (and lots of it...over 6 cups daily!). But we will be happy if he stops LOSING weight at this point.