I am scared of using rimadyl for my dog's torn cruciate ligament...any alternatives?

I don't blame you at all for being scared of using Rimadyl. Rimadyl is deadly. I had a healthy 2 1/2 year old Chihuahua named Gigi, who broke her leg in 2 places. She came running to the door one night when I was coming home from the store. My husband was home with my dogs and told me that as Gigi was running to the door like she always did when my husband or I would come home from being out, she slipped on my ceramic tile and went sliding leg first into the sharp corner of the wall. We immediately took her to he vet we were going to at the time (not anymore) and the vet put her on Rimadyl. I had also heard that Rimadyl was deadly and brought it up to my vet who I trusted. She told me to stop worrying, that Gigi would not be on Rimadyl long enough for it to do her any harm and that Gigi would be fine taking Rimadyl for a very short period of time. Gigi was only given #5 doses of Rimadyl. She started acting sick, so I took her back to the vet, had bloodwork done and found out, that now Gigi had Liver Disease. Within a few months, I had to Euthanize Gigi before her organs started shutting down, which would cause her to die in Agony. I was not going to let that happen and put Gigi through that kind of Agony, so I had no choice but to let her go in peace. That was the hardest and the most heartbreaking decision I had to make, but I had to put Gigi's needs first before my own. Gigi was never sick a day in her life before this happened and because of the #5 doses of Rimadyl, I lost her. I had a Necropsy done on Gigi and according to the Necropsy, the Rimadyl was what killed her. Please do not give your dog Rimadyl. Tramadol from what I understand is much safer than Rimadyl, so I would stay with the Tramadol. As far as an Anti-Inflammatory, all NSAIDS can be dangerous and deadly. I have given Metacam (i refused the Rimadyl that was suggested) to another one of my Chihuahuas named Scooby who is 2 years old, for Luxating Patella Grade 4 in both knees, which have already been surgically repaired by my current vet. He's recovering from the second surgery now and doing fine, no problem. My current vet is extremely cautious and very careful when he prescribes medications. Scooby was on Metacam only 2 times a week for Inflammation and Pain before his surgeries, had bloodwork done several times while on Metacam, to make sure his liver and kidneys were not being damaged by the Metacam and he's doing great now. He's on no more Metacam or any other medications and no medical problems at all. Scooby's Liver and Kidneys are still in perfect condition, Thank God!

Rimadyl may work fine for some dogs, but are you really willing to take the chance that your dog will not be fine taking Rimadyl?

This is Gigi.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65283194@N02/81723246...

This is Scooby.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/65283194@N02/80203876...

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RE:

I am scared of using rimadyl for my dog's torn cruciate ligament...any alternatives?

There's a website "rimadyl kills" and if you google rimadyl or previcox kills there are loads of stories of dead dogs. It sounds like VIOXX, but worst because it's still on the market. The vet prescribed tramadol which I guess is safer to give and helps for the pain, but what...

my chihuaha recently toar her acl,however since she's under 20lbs and a small dog our vet suggested rest and pain meds before surgery was an option, she has been given rimadyl and has no adverse side affects, one thing id suggest is make sure your vet does blood work for the liver and kidneys before giving it to your dog, indias test came back all clear and she takes 1/2 a pill twice a day for 2 weeks, we're hoping shes in the 80% of small dogs who recover without surgery

You're right to be concerned about Rimadyl... although it does work for relieving pain and inflammation in lots of cases, there are side effects like vomiting and diarrhea and there can be serious results if too much is given.

Plus, this is BIG BUSINESS - the pharma giant Pfizer makes it and we know they can skew their message as well as research.

For a non-pharma alternative I have used some natural remedies including Feverfew, Licorice and Cayenne with some success and canine acupuncture has worked very well for our Golden. Massages are good too I've heard. At least massage and acupuncture doesn't have horrible side effects.

Talk to a holistic vet and see what you can learn. Good luck!

I used rimadyl for my dog when she had surgeries on her back legs, and when she had several more surgeries to remove cysts and tumors from under her skin, and it only seemed to help. But I understand why you would be nervous about it, so I would talk to my vet if I were you and ask for holistic alternatives. My vet always encouraged the use of holistic medicine, and while it can be expensive, it's all natural. That doesn't automatically mean 100% safe, though, but nothing really is. Just make sure you do find something soon; dogs will act tough, because they don't want you to worry, but I've heard torn ligaments are extremely painful. Also ask about warm/cold therapies that you can do at home alongside an anti-inflammatory medicine to relieve your dog's pain.

I've heard the same, but I've used Rimadyl for 3 years with No adverse side effects, I give my 12 yr Auzzie a pill every other day so as to avoid any build up in his system. So far so good.

BUT that's my dog, yours may have ADVERSE effects; like some kids being allergic to peanuts and others not. If you chose to use it just watch and be observant to any side effects. Attached below are some of the symptoms of Rimadyl side effects,

Rimadyl is just buffered aspirin. It works very well, and it kills dogs when the vet doesn't do liver value monitoring. My dog did well on Rimadyl for a year, with regular monitoring, but then his liver couldn't take any more, so we dropped it and put him on Tramadol, which is a narcotic. He was being treated for severe case of hip dysplasia. Even with Tramadol doses as high as 200mg/day for a 60-pound dog, the dog was a little zoned out, but pain-free, which was the important thing.

Rimadyl is perfectly fine to use. Other's will disagree, but I've used it for years on my pet's with zero side effects. I have friends that are vet tech's as well and they also agree. If used in small doses and prescribed correctly, you're pet will be just fine.

Good luck!

Please don't believe *everything* you read on the internet. Talk to your veterinarian, an educated and trained animal specialist before you take the word of some unknown person on the internet. Certainly you have concerns, I can understand that, but you need to ask the vet about the safety of the product he or she prescribed and air your concerns and fears (mention what you found on the 'net) to that person, and ask for an alternate treatment (if there is one) from your vet, NOT from random strangers, the average age of which is about 13 years old.