Saturday, February 25, 2012

Arthritis medication for Dogs

So your vet is telling you your dog has arthritis....
Did you know that arthritis medicine for canines is big business? 

The drug Rimadyl is one of the DVM's top bestsellers.  It has been prescribed to countless numbers of dogs in the United States and many other countries. Many vets and dog owners give praise to the drug but it has also stirred up much controversy with some pet owners complaining that nobody warned them of its bad side effects and risks.
The drug carprofen, also known as Rimadyl, Imadyl, and Imafen is a a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for dogs and cats.
Most dogs respond well to carprofen use, but like all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications used in humans and animals, it is capable of causing gastrointestinal, liver and kidney problems and other side effects including: decrease or increase in appetite, vomiting, change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black, tarry or bloody stools), change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression), yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes known as(jaundice), change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed), change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell), change in skin (redness, scabs, or scratching), and liver or kidney problems

Contemplating on whether to give your dog Rimadyl or any other arthritis medicine is ultimately a personal choice and should be research as much as you can before making a decision and do discuss it with your veterinarian.

There are other options to look too.  Natural alternatives that can help relieve your pets symptoms and give them better over-all health.

Whichever route you decide it up to you, I tend to go the natural route first before putting my pet's physical health in jeopardy. Be sure you have thought it through before giving your dog something that could be potentially harmful to them. Your pets depend on you to make the right decisions for their care.

Natural Alternative To Rimadyl
www.nuvet.com/44299   NuJoint Plus
http://www.pipschoice.com/   click on  Agility to go right to the page for more information.

2 comments:

My pet's care said...

This blog is spot-on for those dog owners who want the best for their best friends. Most veterinarians will go to a prescription med because that is what is natural for them. I feel that as a pet owner, I am responsible for being informed of the alternative for my pets. Granted there may be side effects to natural remedies, but like to consider the overall health of my dog when opting for a treatment. Supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin or shark cartilage were very helpful for my aging lab mix. We should also keep in mind what supplements can be used to combat the negative effects of mdications.
Thank you for this post. It is valuable to all pet owners.

spotts said...

Thank you for your kinds words. I am a researcher at heart and love to share with pet owners what I find that helps. I am looking to network with caring people. Want to help spread the word about great health? Join me and make some money doing what you love to do. http://www.pipschoice.com