My daughter in law has suggested that I give bute to my GSD. He was lying down this morning and suddenly starting crying, (He's a real drama queen) so I'm not sure what he has done. Immediately his ankle seemed to be the problem, but within a few minutes he was quite happy for me to touch, rub, press and bend it. I've checked his pads as well and all looks well but he is still unable to put weight on it properly and is limping and complaining. Although he's loving the attention and looks like I'm in for a night on the sofa as stairs are out of the question at the moment. He's a big lad, so the thought is if we can lessen the pain for him and he still limps then there is a problem. Any thoughts on bute??? Thanks Nita

Do you mean Phenylbutazone, isn't it prescription only?

Apparently not, you can buy it on line.

Without prescription?  Some mail order places will deal with prescription medicines with a prescription from the vet of course.

It's listed here as prescription only. 

http://www.prescription-mexico.co.uk/Phenylbutazone.htm

http://www.provet.co.uk/health/diseases/cdwphenylbutazone.htm

http://admin.safescript.com/drugcgic.cgi/INGR?19144769+0#SEFFECTS

The above would give me cause for concern it has all these side effects yet can be bought online non perscription  ! 

I would take the dog to the vets for a check up & depending on what the diagnosis was go with the vets treatment & consider natural treatment

I've googled phenylbutazone and bute but wasn't having too much success, so thanks for the links. Most I found pointed towards horses, my daughter in law tells me that they use bute on their horses but there is also bute for dogs. Whether see means NoBute I'm not sure till I see her later this morning. NoBute is the safer herbal option (is that right?). I'm not one for rushing to the vets at the slightest wimper (have been same with kids) plus only evening surgery available today, so making him comfortable in the mean time is the best I can do. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks.   

I have a supply of bute that I keep at hand but that is for my horses pescribed by my horse vet.   I would NEVER administer it to my dogs and don't know if its even suitable for dogs.
Stronger painkillers I would never give betwen animals unless the vet pescribed it.
Bev

Hi,

I can only second what other people are saying - I have used bute for horses for many pain related problems as advised by horse vet.  W have had quite a few dogs that have been given pain killers for various things and none of these drugs have ever been bute and I have never heard of that being given to a dog.  I would never swap drugs between animals without being told to do so from the vet as they all have different make ups and what can be safe for one can be lethal to another.  I would think if you don't think it's worth a trip to the vets then it doesn't need pain killers.  I always er on the side of caution and taking them to the vets if I am worried as I feel that they can't tell us exactly what the problem is or how much it is hurting and they are generally alot braver about pain than we are!

Karen

I think there might be a bit of misunderstanding here.

I'm not talking about swapping drugs between animals and I didn't mean the dog to have the bute that is given to or prescribed for horses. 
It was explained to me-"like what horses are given but they do bute for dogs as well."

I'm asking if anyone has heard of or has used or been prescribed bute for their dogs. As I said before, whether see means NoBute, I'm not sure.
Is NoBute safe ?

And as I've already mentioned only evening vet surgery available today, so it's not a case of not thinking it's worth a trip to the vets. I meant I'm not a hypochondriac parent but that doesn't make me slack.

"no bute" is a herbal mixture made out of devils claw. my dogs have all had devils claw from time to time its exellent.

in horses Bute is given so lame horses can be ridden. it masks the pain. the thing is pain is there for a reason....so the animal rests the leg.

I've never heard of Bute for dogs :)

nor me chloeH

Nothing that has any effect on the body is going to be totally free of side effects

Devil's Claw Side effects
Mild and infrequent gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported, but since Western doctors have not used devils claw much, we still don't know the full range of side effects if this herb is used for prolonged periods.

or a little more specifically:
Since devil's claw promotes the secretion of stomach acid, anyone with gastric or duodenal ulcers, heartburn, gastritis, or excessive stomach acid should not use the herb. Additionally, people with gallstones should consult a physician before taking devil's claw.9

me too- fine for horses, never never heard of it for dogs. there are plently of other herbal stuff you can give dogs other than bute.
butes not good for horses long term  dread to think what it would do to a dog

I wouldn't use Bute on a dog. I've used it on horses and it is very strong. NoBute AKA DevilsClaw? needs to be built up over a period of time for the effect to work and should be given regularly in horses to get the benefit.

After rest his limp is no better and we've found a tender area around his elbow. Vets here we come

Ice has been to vets. It is his elbow and at this stage it could be one of three things.
1.  A strained ligament
2.  a slight fracture (or chipped bone)
3.  dysplasia (activated through trauma)

Anti-inflammatory and antibiotics (slight temperature) given as immediate treatment and if no dramatic improvement within 24/48 hours to take him back for X-rays. 
Treatment given is Rimadyl, which I hadn't picked up on until I'd given him two 100mg tablets as advised. Worrying now as Ice suffered with haemorrhagic gastroenteritis 6 months ago.

He has slept quite a bit since arriving back home but I'd put this down to him being tired after having an unsettled night. Having already lost a GSD to anaesthetic I'm getting worked up at the thought of Xrays. I'm sure I've read this can be done with just sedation??

Hi Anita,

Poor boy - a good excuse for lots of TLC :-).  Hopefully it'll just be a strain and you won't have to worry about having the x-rays done.  They can be done under sedation but it would have to be fairly heavy sedation as they have to be lying completely still (I'm sure you knew that) If you expalin your worries to your vet I'm sure they'll advise you with the best course of action.

Hope he's better soon.

Karen

Course of Rimadyl has ended with no problems. Phew relief!! Four days of sleeping on the sofa so dog doesn't attempt stairs (sleeps in bedroom with me) isn't doing my back any good though. Ice is recovering nicely, looks like it was strained ligament after all. Thank God. He's eager for a run out but looks like waiting a little longer, don't want to end up back a stage one. Looking forward to sleeping back in bed though, can't wait.