Help!   My old boy is clearly in trouble with his back end - x-rays done a while ago show subluxation of hips, and loads of spinal issues so this deterioration is not unexpected.   Up to now he's been ok on a minimum dose of Metacam which I have now upped.   He's also now on Gabapentin.

Back in the past, I had one go off his back legs (spondylitis or 'osis ...?).   His prognosis wasn't good and my then vet was saying euth.   He was only 8 and I was prepared to give him time, provided we could get the pain he was in, under control.   He was prescribed Prednoleucotropin (PLT) which produced such a good result that I called them my miracle tablets.  Eventually, although he never walked well, with a roached back,  but he was back on all 4, and he only had the tablets when he was clearly in discomfort.  He lived to age 14 before old age claimed him - still on his 4 legs!

I have looked online at the availability of PLT tabs. (currently out of stock apparently) but it needs a vet prescription, and at anywhere between 60 and 80p per tablet, would be expensive as my boy is, like the other one, a big hound ... 35 kg.

Has anybody used PLT and if so, I wonder what is the difference between these and Metacam - both are NSAIDs.

ps   I will soon have to see if I can get an appointment with his vet.

I have used PLT on a elderly Irish Setter about 10 years ago but I was told it was for short term use. In the event that turned out to be true because my beloved boy was at the end of his life sadly. PLT is a Steroid though it contains Prednisolone.

"PLT Tablets provide effective treatment for chronic cases of musculo-skeletal inflammation in dogs, such as degenerative joint disease. Commonly referred to as Osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease is a progressive, long-term deterioration of the cartilage surrounding joints, which causes stiffness and long periods of inactivity. PLT is a non-sterodial-anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in controlling the pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis in dogs."   From 365 Vet website.   The feedback on their use echos my experience with PLT when used on my other old hound, years ago now.   Interesting that because I'd have said  Prednisolone is a steriod, for sure!!

I really need to know which of the two, PLT Tablets vs Metacam, work best.

I now have a phone consultation booked with his vet for 9.30 am tomorrow.   It's going to cost around £25. which would be deducted if his vet actually needs to see him.

>PLT is a non-sterodial-anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) effective in controlling the pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis in dogs."   From 365 Vet website.

That's bizarre, and dangerous misinformation. PLT is definitely a steroid medication see data sheet

Very odd jeangenie and surely dangerous

Here are  the ingredients per tablet

https://www.vetuk.co.uk/pet-meds-prescription-only-prednoleucotropin-c-21_757/prednoleucotropin-plt-tablets-for-dogs-p-840   closely shows steroid and an antiflamatory

Jan, Our last B.H had multiple problems (as you know) & had NSAID's as support for periods throughout his life. Didn't tolerate Metacam, he did have PLT for sometime & it helped enormously but from hazy memory was stopped due to him latterly suffering from eye ulcers.

There's a wide range of different anti-inflammatories (steroidal or non-steroidal), so if one doesn't suit an individual animal, there's invariably another formulation or combination that will. They all have potential side-effects, some short-term and some long-term (which of course is why they need to be given under a vet's authority).

Well I phoned my vet for a phone consult and he called me back at 9.30am this morning.   We talked through what was best for my lad - I asked about PLT and he said they'd had a number of patients on that in the past, but hadn't been able to source any for about 2 years now.   I suppose it's another of the well-known and oft used combi pills that were banned by the EU!!  So that's not an option, sadly.

He advised I up his Metacam to the full strength for his weight, give him 1 Paracetamol twice a day and has prescribed more Gabapentin, a stronger dose than before, and certainly stronger than what I have, for me.      Presumably this is why I didn't feel the Gabapentin was on before was doing much.   I'm not sure that will get him on his back feet firmer but if it keeps him relatively pain free, that would be a plus.

He has also prescribed some a/bs to help the ruptured cyst heal .......   I had to take pictures of that and another one that has now appeared to send him.   That was a challenge as the camera needed charging, and then we had to remember how to transfer from camera to computer and from computer to email!!   Eventually we managed that but not until after the email not sending, realising the two photos together were too large so I have to send two separate emails...... I'll get the hang of computers eventually, if I don't die first.

The meds were ready to be collected in a slot I was given (mid-day) so I didn't meet anybody.  As it happened one of the other vets was coming out and she went back in to pick up my meds.   It's going to be very strange getting back to whatever 'normal' is when this is all over.

So my lad lives to fight another day..... and I'm £75.90 more out of pocket.

@ FF - that's the place I found info re PLT ingredients.