pain management options.

snowbunny · 27 November 2022

I'm going through pain management stuff with Ginny. Well, have been for a long time, but it's getting more pressing now. I had her on Galliprant - a wonder drug that's worth looking into - plus an anti-inflammatory oil, and a high-dose chondro-protector. It wasn't cutting it, so I went for an assessment with the vet, and we switch to tramadol and a different chondro-protector. Well, the difference is staggeringly bad. She's been on it about ten days so far and the difference is awful. So, of course, we're going to be taking her back, and trying different combinations. It may be that what she was on to start is the best combination for her, but we have to try other things, just to see. We've been through a lot of different drugs and therapies with her, but the important thing is to make this last part as comfortable for her as possible. I have NO qualms about putting her on "too many" drugs that will ease her pain but may impact her organs.
If you can get it, talk to your vet about Galliprant. It's an NSAID that doesn't have the same downsides as the others in terms of organ damage, so can be used long term.

Shamas mom · 27 November 2022

@snowbunny I'll definitely bring up Galliprant.

During the Collitis, I had pulled Shamas off of everything but the Cartrophen. I'd been reading that not only Nsaids, but also Gloucosomine and condontrin can cause intestinal irritation..so I waited to see if he'd improve internally without the Joint Plus. He didn't immediately go back to having the runs when the Metro finished...but he's starting to stiffen again.

I'm starting him back at 5ml on the Joint Plus, to see if it bothers his insides......he was previously at 10ml

I remember when I started him on Gloucosamine, years ago...my dad said not to, as his dog had developed incontinence on gloucosamine. I forgot about it. Even when he became incontinent a year ago, I forgot.....we checked him for everything else-never considered the glucosamine as a potential cause until now. .

Shamas mom · 24 May 2023

So we're changing our plans. Librella is approved up here in Canada now. We're going to try it with gabapenten to give his liver a break. He's now limping in the shoulders as well as hips

Poor Ole boy

MellowYellow · 25 May 2023

Poor boy... but he has you, and your husband, and Trixie, and is loved and cared for. He's actually a very lucky boy.

Shamas mom · 13 July 2023

We got our first shot of Librella yesterday, and a nail trim. I'm hoping this helps, as he's limping more often than not now....

We're also running into more and more instances where he seems to have "checked out" You can call his name and he doesn't hear you, but when he does look your way he's definitely in his "happy place" I don't know where he goes those times, but he likes it there!~ He's going there a few times a day now...

Shamas mom · 13 July 2023

Shamas just had a Seizure??

He swayed, stumbled, fell and gagged...spasmed for a few seconds, then got up like nothing happened. His back end is stiffer than earlier now....but he seems none the worse for wear?

I reported it to the vet. We're to keep an eye

Anne123 · 13 July 2023

Finn gets librela since December and he didn’t have any side effect. The only thing I noticed is that he drinks more, but not too much. I was on Facebook in a group called Librela experiences and I read a lot of stories with dogs getting seizures. I left this group for I felt uncomfortable reading those stories. I know that people who experience side effects will look for others with the same experience….I had the feeling I didn’t belong there.
You can look into that and read some stories without ‘liking’ the page….

Stacia · 13 July 2023

Shamas mom said:
Shamas just had a Seizure??

He swayed, stumbled, fell and gagged...spasmed for a few seconds, then got up like nothing happened. His back end is stiffer than earlier now....but he seems none the worse for wear?

I reported it to the vet. We're to keep an eye

Could it be the Gabapentin? I am sorry to read your post. Rourke has had Librela for about 2 years and up to this moment has had no side effects.

Loraseal · 13 July 2023

I am on a Librela Facebook site and some owners have seen this too. The best thing is to stay in contact with your vet. Reporting it was the right thing to do
Hunter also had Librela but we stopped due to his heightened skin irritation. I hope he feels better soon. X

Shamas mom · 14 July 2023

Anne123 said:
Finn gets librela since December and he didn’t have any side effect. The only thing I noticed is that he drinks more, but not too much. I was on Facebook in a group called Librela experiences and I read a lot of stories with dogs getting seizures. I left this group for I felt uncomfortable reading those stories. I know that people who experience side effects will look for others with the same experience….I had the feeling I didn’t belong there.
You can look into that and read some stories without ‘liking’ the page….

I completely understand your sentiments. I don't think I will go looking for horror stories to scare myself with either.

@Jelinga could be...could also be the heat? we were walking indoors, but it's still been humid. He had an event back in January 18th....which fits the description of an absence seizure.... so I'm not convinced the Librella is the culprit..if anything, it's a new thing in his body that caused stress and triggered an event.

Stacia · 14 July 2023

Shamas mom said:
I completely understand your sentiments. I don't think I will go looking for horror stories to scare myself with either.

@Jelinga could be...could also be the heat? we were walking indoors, but it's still been humid. He had an event back in January 18th....which fits the description of an absence seizure.... so I'm not convinced the Librella is the culprit..if anything, it's a new thing in his body that caused stress and triggered an event.

It could be the heat. Stress can increase 'absences'. I wish for the best for you both x