I took my 3 year old Labrador to Vet this morning as overnight she has started limping badly on her front right leg.
The vet looked at foot leg etc and said it seems to be a toe injury he gave her a Rimadyl injection and said if she is still limping Friday morning to take her back and he will x-ray the foot/leg he said he didn't think she had broken the toe.

I have been given 10 Rimadyl 50mg tablets to be given twice a day my question is do I give her the tablets or let nature take its course after hearing some bad things about Rimadyl im not sure of what the best action to take.

Karen

Hi Karen

Can't comment on the rimadyl but when Phoebie had a swollen toe that wasn't hot to the touch and not seemingly broken my vet opted for rest as the first case. She took about a week to come right (was limping badly at first) and to be honest didn't really rest much either as at manic puppy stage. He had said if she took longer than that to go back to him and not sure what action he'd have taken then beside x-ray.

Hope things improve. Must admit I'd be concerned too as rimadyl has had such bad press.

Sara
Hope you're well and getting fatter as you should be. S xxx

You have a Phoebe too! What breed - mines a golden lab.

KirstyS
:)

Hi Kirsty

My Phoebie (note the extra i she came with ;) ) is a 5 month Golden Retriever so same colour and group :D
Her "real" name is Pauclare Phoebie Buffay. I was able to ask the breeder to name one Phoebe for me and that's the name she came back with :D Suits her - dizzy blonde from friends lol

Sara

You should be alright just resting it but the Rimadyl may well help her recover faster by reducing the swelling as well as make the dog a lot more comfortable. The problems people have experienced with Rimadyl do not usually apply to short term use such as this, that's my understanding no doubt someone will disagree :D

Hi Karen, you might like to look at this web page concerning Rimadyl.

http://www.doglogic.com/rimadylwallst.htm

There is quite a lot of info on the net regarding Rimadyl.
Christine2

Hi Karen

Apart from the anti-inflammatory properties Rimadyl is also a really strong pain killer. Some vets shy away from using it in this way because the injury can take longer to heal. If the dog doesn't feel the pain then will be more inclined to use the injured paw hindering recovery.
I agree that short term use is OK.

Never had a problem with rimadyl, wouldn't want to leave my dog in pain, occasionally a dog will react badly to something, just as we do.
Dawn.

Here's some info that I found when I was researching Rimadyl.
http://www.doglogic.com/rimadylwallst.htm
http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html

One of my girls was on it recently for 7 days following a C Section and it had no detrimental effect on her at all.

Thanks for the replys.

My Lab is much better now and walking without a limp so the Rimadyl injection seems to have done the trick.
Have not given the tablets as she seems not to be in pain and is back to her normal self.

Karen

i would have thought the vet would have given you the rimadyl tablets for a reason ?? the injection would only have lasted 24hrs and might only give short term relief, have you rung your vet to explain that you haven't given them ? I'm glad your lab is ok though and generally rimadyl is v good for short term treatment.

I would not touch Rimadyl with a barge pole - I think it may be the drug that has caused my very young dog to have very serious liver problems, it was initially made for human use, then scrapped because of the side effects, so now we give it to our dogs, no drug is safe until it has been proven so - this one has not!!!

Please let me know of any experiences you have had with Rimadyl, especially liver/kidneys. Celia

Celia
Here is the manufacturers pack insert with indications, dosage, safety, adverse reactions and the very important "Information for dog owners" that my Vet didn't tell me!
http://www.pfizer.com/ah/rimadylvet/ripkgin.html

Well that doesn't beat around the bush does it Val. Thank you for the link :-)
When my vet prescribed it for Badger, I actually asked him if there was any 'side affects' that I should be aware of and he said "No" !!!

Exactly what my vet said as well!
Christine2

Leigh, I lost the dam of my last litter in March, nearly 6 years old, never had a day's illness in her life. She was given Rimadyl on Friday evening for what we think was a bee sting. I'd asked for antihistamine but was told that anti inflammatory was better. She died on Tuesday presenting more than half of the side effects listed in the packet leaflet. She was "Mother's favourite" and I'm only just beginning to speak about it!
I'd even posted warnings to others before, but was convinced by the Vet that this was necessary and wouldn't happen to my bitch! I've researched it since and wouldn't touch it with a barge pole in future, although I know of some old Rough Collies who've been on it for their painfull joints for some time with no ill effects. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Without being alarmist, I really do think that dog owners should be given the warnings produced by the manufacturers before this drug is administered.

Oh Val I am so sorry to hear this.
When are vets & drug manufactures going to accept responsibility????
Christine2

Not this time, that's for sure Christine!

As you know as an ex-Veterinary Nurse "I don't do Vets!" and this wasn't really necessary either. I would have dealt with the sting myself but I had puppy people visiting and Didgy had a small swelling under her chin. I wanted to be able to say "the Vet says ......" We're all brainwashed these days into thinking that if we don't run to the Vet every 5 minutes, then we are neglecting our animals. In future I'll be trusting myself, as I usually do!

I feel strongly that if a drug manufacturer produces details entitled "Information for dog owner" then we should be entitled to know what the manufacturer wants us to know before it's administered to our dogs. I'd love to know if anyone who's dog has been given Rimadyl was given this information before.

Hi Val couldn`t agree more! I want to make informed choices regarding my dogs (about everything actually) & I can`t because they keep the info to themselves!! It makes my blood boil.
All the dogs that I know who have been given Rimadyl weren`t tested before or after & the owners were NOT given the info. I certainly wasn`t. Have you made a SARSS report or asked your vet to? Remember you don`t have to prove anything, it only needs to be suspected.
Such a shame about your girl tho.
By the way happy birthday & try not to dwell on it too much.
Christine2