Codeine

[Bogangles]

My dog is 14 now and had dental surgery Oct. 15 last year and yet to recover. However, today she is having trouble walking due to her back end and one front leg which is probably due to arthritis. Back in October the vet prescribed codeine for pain but due to her low intolerance for drugs (opiates?) so I am wondering if I can give her some tonight until I get back to our regular vet.

 

Has anyone had a dog with adverse effects from codeine.

 

Thank you for any response.

[juliemac]

I'd be cautious about using opiates ... but I'm not familiar with using codeine on my hounds, and I have several other options available in my house (Tramadol, Deramax, and several essential oils).

 

I would suggest some Traumeel (homeopathic pain med, available from grocery store), and a low temperature heating pad for arthritis in conjunction with some light massage. If you use essential oils, you could use a touch of peppermint, wintergreen, oregano, lavender, or lemon oil (use therapeutic oils, and dilute with massage or vegetable oil before applying to the bottom of feet).

 

good luck, and keep us informed on how the vet visit goes!

[macoduck]

I'd hold off on the codeine and anything else. If you did use it there might need to be a "wash out" period before a different medicine could be used. Can you call your vet today and ask if you can use whatever you have on hand?

[Bogangles]

Thank you for both your replies. I did not use the codeine but gave her half an asprin. Goodness knows why they prescribed codeine anyway knowing her history.

I have Tramadol but she does not do well with that either.

I have used Traumeel personally and it has worked for me. Unfortunately, it is not available here now for some reason (after 20 years).

Will call the vet today. Thanks again.

[MP_the4pack]

You know, I gave my 15 yr old a dental back in 2011. Her back end never recovered from that either.

[MaryJane]

I wouldn't give aspirin either ....

[turbotaina]

Aspirin is not a good idea unless specifically advised by a vet. It has a very long wash out period (like 7 days, irrc). Be sure to tell your vet you gave it, so they know. If your dog needs steroids, they generally cannot be given with aspirin (or any NSAID).

Edited March 30, 2015 by turbotaina

[GeorgeofNE]

If your 14 year old dog is pain, please get her to the vet. Don't just give her whatever meds you have on hand. It could be ANYTHING.

 

Hope she's feeling better by now.

[carronstar]

How is your pup doing this morning?

[Bogangles]

Thank you everyone for your support. Have taken note of the asprin advice. I think she is a little better today.

 

The vet wants to yet more tests? But has not come up with any suggestions for arthritis pain. We already know that she cannot tolerate Nsaids (she bled out on Meloxicam). steroids are not an option as well as opiates. Tramadol does not work. (These facts have been stated in previous vet/specialist reports.)

 

Is anyone aware of a pain med or alternative that would work for arthritis. People keep saying she's getting old (yes, she is older but still enjoys running a few stints in the park every day and thinks the car is her second home). There must be something that could make her feel more comfortable without the terrible side effects?

[KF_in_Georgia]

Talk to the vet about gabapentin. It's used a lot for cancer relief and to derail epileptic seizures. It interrupts pain messages to the brain, and it's not an opiate. For cancer, dogs often take as much as 900 mg a day. It comes in 300 mg pills or 100 mg capsules, but you'll want the capsules for better dosing control.

 

It typically takes two days to get up to full impact in the dog. It also has a short half-life in your dog: you want to dose at least every 8 hours (rather than every 12). The capsules are available by prescription from traditional people-pharmacies.

 

Another possibility is methocarbamol (aka robaxin), a muscle relaxer. This one is more likely to make her a bit dopey to start with, but if some of her pain comes from tensing up when her joints hurt, the methocarbamol may be a big help. (I had a boy I took to a chiropractor for back pain; she recommended the methocarbamol, and my vet agreed.) My almost-10 girl takes it occasionally, when she's having an ouch-day (the occasional squeaks when she's getting up or lying down). My angel Sam, who couldn't take NSAIDS, could take both gabapentin and methocarbamol.

[turbotaina]

Acupuncture might be an option for you. I know several folks on here have used it with good effect. My old boy had it done, but he was misdiagnosed, so it didn't help his issue (corns ), but he really enjoyed his sessions.

Edited March 31, 2015 by turbotaina

[silverfish]

I can't tolerate NSAIDs but do fine on Codeine - it's not the same thing. Sid, my eleven year old, is on codeine plus NSAID, and does very well. It's a low dose of codeine, and I haven't noticed any side effects. No constipation or diarrhoea, no vomiting, no lack of appetite.

However, I second the advice to check with your vet before giving anything, particularly if she is on anything else. Drug interactions can be serious. I hope she's OK!

Edited March 31, 2015 by silverfish

[FiveRoooooers]

I definitely second asking your vet about Gabapentin, along with methocarbomal (aka robaxin), both of which have helped my seniors tremendously. Supplements that my seniors also get are from Springtime, Fresh Factors and Joint Health, and I cannot say enough good about the improvement they have provided for my old dears. Bea has arthritis in the hock that she broke while racing - it has only been a short time since she started them but I can already see dramatic improvement with fish oil and Glucosamine/MSM, both of which I get at Costco. I hope that your vet will agree to try something of all the recommendations you are receiving. Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. 14 is fantastic!

[juliemac]

I would also augment with some homeopathic options ... massage with a good massage oil (add a small amount of lavender, peppermint, and birch to it for pain management) can't hurt and may help. I use young living's Pan Away (obtain through a distributor, or become one yourself quite easily). I also like Dr. Melissa Shelton's new animal blends ... they're diluted for the animals, and price is much more acceptable for many people (she delivers quickly ... just go to animaleo.info).

 

I've tried acupuncture with Baby (11.5 yo, with noticeable arthritis) ... I can't say I noticed a big difference, but many others have definitely seen good results, and I'll be trying it on my own arthritic joints and will let you know about that. Chiropractic treatments are a staple with all of my hounds (it kept my fragile senior adoptee Paige mobile and ... alive ... for a year longer than ANYONE expected).

 

I'm lucky that pharmaceuticals seem to work pretty well in my household, so I can't give you other Rx alternatives - I hope others can give you some options! Good luck!!!

[Bogangles]

Thank you all so much for this information. I think we will have to go to the vet again to ask for a solution -- they are not very forthcoming.

 

With reference to supplements she is on Omega Alpha GlucosaPet (which is Canadian), B complex, tumeric and Coenzyme Q10 as she has a 5/6 heart murmur. I will definitely look into Fresh Factors and the other suggestions. She has been on Arnica for a little while now and that seemed to help her mouth to a degree -- she does not seem to be rubbing her face nearly as often. (Not sure if arnica is a problem when it comes to interacting with other medications?)

 

We tried Chiro for her back last year before this dental surgery. She did collapse one evening after one of the sessions but was back to normal after a couple of hours. The chiro decided to wait for a while before further treatments. Perhaps acupuncture will help.

 

I will ask the vet, again, regarding gabapentin -- there was some concern about being hard on the kidneys but the pain she is going through has to be addressed somehow.

 

She will be 15 on May 16 this year and I am planning her birthday!

 

Thank you all again for the responses. It makes me feel less alone in this ordeal.

[silverfish]

I will ask the vet, again, regarding gabapentin -- there was some concern about being hard on the kidneys but the pain she is going through has to be addressed somehow.

 

She will be 15 on May 16 this year and I am planning her birthday!

 

 

 

To be quite frank, at her age, I'd be going for quality of life now rather than worrying about potential problems in the future (eg kidney damage). FYI, Sid was on it for a couple of years and no change to his bloodwork or issues with it at all. What you do have to be careful about is this: you must not stop it suddenly, or it can provoke seizures. Not a problem, all you have to do is remember and tail it off gradually if you need to stop giving it.