Rimadyl - Safer alternatives?

Just got off the phone and they assured me carprofen, the genetic rimadyl, is safe. All the horror stories have me pretty scared though. She'd only be on half a 75 mg tablet as needed. Anyone have anything positive to say about rimadyl?

There are side effects with all drugs, and Rimadly is no exception. However if this is for arthritis, it should be possible for your dog not to need this 24/7 every day of the year. Arthritis flares (worse in damp cold weather) so when she's okay she shouldn't need to be taking this. And you do have to weigh up the pros and cons of using any drug. Could be the benefits of being comparatively pain-free will be far better than any side effects.

You might consider acupuncture, and if you can find a hydrotherapy pool for exercise, this would be kinder than regular exercise for the time she's really feeling pain. Arthritic patients need to do some exercise, within the bounds of what they can cope with, to prevent muscle deterioration and seizing up.

Mine have been on Metacam which is similar re side effects to Rimadyl but this particular one was elderly and if using it prevented her from being in lots of pain, I felt it was justified.

http://www.rimadyl.co.uk/ This link might help?

I've used a combination of Glucosamine/Chondroitin/msm on many of my aging dogs for their arthritis and found it makes all the difference in the world in their general attitude and all the limping has stopped. I get mine here;

http://www.kvpet.com/ and I get the bottles of 120 chewables. There is a specific method of using this, so anyone that decides to try it, read the label and follow the directions carefully. Far safer than any of the prescription drugs for long term use.

As far as I know rimadyl is reasonably safe and clearly better than other alternatives (aspirins). Like any medication, yes it can have side effects, and if you know what the side effects are, you are in a good position to identify problems should they occur.

While studies have not confirmed that glucosamines and chondroitin really do much good in humans there are reports that they work in dogs. I have no idea how much that really works.

ALL medications will have their side effects. If you're needing something long-term.. your best bet is to consult with your vet. No one here can really reccommend a medication, since we know nothing about your dog's medical history. Glucosamine is a supplement that can help with joints.. but depending on how bad his arthritis is, the dog may still need pain meds on top of the supplement. You can find dog treats and foods that has this supplement, or even purchase tablets that specifically are glucosamine.

I'm not a vet I can't safely answer this question!

Why did you take your dog off the Tramadol? It's by far the safer med. Rimadyl is very hard on older dogs.

My dog has arthritis and he takes Tramadol, and he is doing so well, we go on long walks and he even runs. He's 16.9 years old. Tramadol is the safest med out there. Rimadyl wasn't even considered by my vet. He said that it could cause liver failure in some older dogs. By older, I mean like 8+ years.

Tramadol isn't expensive. I buy mine at the Costco Pharmacy. You don't have to be a member to use the Pharmacy and they have a total pet pharmacy inside of he regular pharmacy.

Tramadol is the much safer med for your dog. My dog has arthritis in his back and rear legs. He is in between a medium and small dog. It has saved him. His previous vet (he retired). use to give him Rimadyl. But his new vet said no way and put him on Tramadol. He is doing so well I can hardly believe it. Ask your vet for Tramadol. It's the safest and best med that there is for dogs with arthritis.

The funny thing is that I was in a terrible car accident when I was 16. I now have arthritis in my back, neck and left knee. My doctor gave me Tramadol. I told her my dog is on it too and she just laughed.