duncan41 Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Dalton is 11.5 years old, 77 pounds and came to me with virtually no medical history last fall other than "no crating" and "no stairs". His initial physical exam by our Vet showed rear end discomfort and weakness with slow neurological response especially on the left rear leg but the rest of the exam and blood work was unremarkable. Fast forward to 4 weeks ago. Dalton woke up one morning and could not/would not use the left rear leg; obvious pain, knuckling under, panting..........the whole 9 yards. Off to the Vet for x-rays (all negative), I-therm, Metacam, Tramadol and house arrest; diagnosis is soft tissue injury of the left knee. Without making this a novel, the Metacam totally wrecked Dalton's stomach. No diarrhea, no vomiting but his appetite has diminished to the point that he hasn't eaten hardly anything in the last two days. (I have tried all of the food tricks and he's just can't/won't eat regardless of whether it's people or dog food.) I had been force feeding him, but Monday night he was in obvious discomfort so I stopped. He is drinking just fine. He has been on Sucralfate (no pill size on the container) three times a day since Monday and started Cyproheptadine (4mg) three times a day yesterday, Tramadol and a Chinese herb called Concentrated body sore. Dalton ate 7 ounces of raw sirloin steak last night but won't touch the rest of it this morning, of course. How long does it take to realize the full effect of the Sucralfate and Cyproheptadine? He is using the leg and foot very well for his age and overall condition but is having a horrible time every time he tries to lay down. He's not resting properly - DH was up with him at 1:00 am and finally got him to lay down, and I was up with him at 4 am for the same reason but he didn't lay down until 6 am. Don't know why he's getting up, other than he's a dog and that's what they do, but when he gets up, he can't/doesn't want to go back down because of the discomfort. He doesn't cry out, no GSOD, just whimpering, and a lot of turning in circles hoping to find that magical spot that will allow him to lay down without discomfort. Does anyone have any suggestions for a pain relief med or combo that is not in the NSAD family that would be appropriate for a soft tissue injury and won't aggravate Dalton's stomach? This is the sweetest boy that I have ever known and it's breaking my heart knowing how distressed he is. Thank you all very much! Linda Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest normaandburrell Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 When our grey showed knuckling under, the vet prescribed a muscle relaxant (methocarbamol 500 mg) because he felt there might be some element of muscle spasm. Unfortunately, it was not muscle spasm, but you could always ask. It is a sedating med, so it would also help him settle down and sleep in spite of his discomfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Traumeel I've used it on hounds and horses with great success. It has Arnica in it. Comes in gel ...just rub on... or tablets. The tablets are quite tiny. 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...
Batmom Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Stop the cyproheptadine, Chinese herbs, and NSAID. Give just the sucralfate and Tramadol (what dose are you using?) for 3-5 days and then try a different NSAID. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 I agree with Batmom. You're giving him so many things you can't know what is working or now, and what is upsetting his stomach. And I learned the hard way that herbs can be just as problematic as "regular" drugs. George took some herb on the vet's suggestion (some root?) in an attempt to calm him, and it made his ALT go sky high. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 Sorry, auto correct wiped out my reference to Traumeel and substituted Tramadol. Dalton has been on Traumeel and the Chinese herb for a year. The Metacam was introduced 4 weeks ago and discontinued two weeks ago because off the worsening appetite. The Sulcrafate was started on Monday and the Cyproheptadine yesterday, so it's not what we know works or doesn't. Sorry for the confusion. We know the Metacam works but it's affecting is stomach. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 There are a number of effective alternatives that I have used that are safe. Anti-inflammatory wise DURALACTIN wins hands down-safe and effective. Pain wise you can try DGP pills, TRAUMEEL, arnica and/or hypericum. A potent dose of hypericum would probably help him a lot as it is great with any issue involving the nerves like the leg/spine/back issue you mentioned. My holistic vet taught me this stuff. If you have to go to Rx strength I have found Tramadol & Robaxin to be safe and gabipentin seems to be as well. Personally I would not use metacam and probably not any of the other Rx NSAID's either. Duralactin works and won't hurt them. Momma is 14 1/2 with HORRIBLE hips per the vet yet still runs pretty fast everyday and it also kept my other broodie going till she was 14 1/2 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 There are a number of effective alternatives that I have used that are safe. Anti-inflammatory wise DURALACTIN wins hands down-safe and effective. Pain wise you can try DGP pills, TRAUMEEL, arnica and/or hypericum. A potent dose of hypericum would probably help him a lot as it is great with any issue involving the nerves like the leg/spine/back issue you mentioned. My holistic vet taught me this stuff. If you have to go to Rx strength I have found Tramadol & Robaxin to be safe and gabipentin seems to be as well. Personally I would not use metacam and probably not any of the other Rx NSAID's either. Duralactin works and won't hurt them. Momma is 14 1/2 with HORRIBLE hips per the vet yet still runs pretty fast everyday and it also kept my other broodie going till she was 14 1/2 as well. I like the sedation part of Robaxin for night time pain relief, but I'm concerned about the "loss of appetite" listed as one of the side effects. He is already to the point of refusing to eat on his own. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Has thombosis been ruled out?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DogNite Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Xoxox to sweet Dalton! We'll figure this out and get you back to " normal" rightawayquick!!! Quote lorinda, mom to the ever revolving door of Foster greyhounds Always in my heart: Teala (LC Sweet Dream) , Pepton, Darbee-Do (Hey Barb) , Rascal (Abitta Rascal), Power (Beyond the Power), and the miracle boy LAZER (2/21/14), Spirit (Bitter Almonds) 8/14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 Has thombosis been ruled out?? YES. We have an appointment on Monday for a dual consult with neuro and ortho. Internist said hips and spine are very painful. Our biggest challenge is getting him to eat anything. He also paces and cries all night but doesn't have a problem settling down during the day. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Have you done a tick panel? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 No. If he had a TBD, would he have shown dramatic improvement after 3 doses of Metacam? Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 I would venture to guess yes if the TBD was causing inflammation, which the Metacam would have helped relieve. Unfortunately Metacam causes other problems as you are finding out. Nadir's stomach problems started after being put on Metacam. As far as him being restless at night I'm guessing that like most illnesses the symptoms worsen at night and thus he is in more pain. Poor guy . I hope you can find something to get him through this. If you haven't already, give him Manuka honey to help soothe his gut. This was something that always helped Nadir when he had a flare up. I just saw Tracy's post so I guess not on the Metacam helping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Amantadine?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiancasMom Posted September 13, 2014 Share Posted September 13, 2014 Gabapentin and Tramadol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Glad you have an appointment with Neuro/Ortho on Monday. I was thinking that a soft tissue injury should be much better if not healed after 4 weeks, so this is probably something more than that. Hope he's able to get some relief soon. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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