Aching bones

[Feline]

had max back to the vets for the third time since i started this thread
arthritis is kicking in at a fast rate but he is still mental
just off the phone from the wife and she tells me, he has been prescribed with Canidryl 100mg (half a tab per day)
this is his second dose on these drugs
It seems to work well for him but I do have a concern over the long term
and at 30 quid for 15 tab seems a bit steep

It's Carprofen, an NSAID (non steroidal anti inflammatory drug). Generally similar to Metacam in effect, sometimes better for some individuals, with a similar side effect profile. I would definitely give it a full 6 weeks on the drug to properly gauge the effects- sometimes these can be cumulative so if you change their drugs too soon you never get to see the 'good as it gets' stage.
They are cheaper than many of the alternative new families of NSAID- and you are probably saving a bit by using half a 100mg rather than a whole 50mg a day.

[johnsb00]

thanks Lara,I will keep him on them for another session and read up on the side affects.
if he is going to be on them for the long term I will get them via my drug dealer.
My vet charges an arm and leg for prescriptions so I need to get the financial balance right
I also have him on supplements from my food supplier.
He was on youmove, bit he stank and the need for poo bags was negated
when out walking you needed a hosepipe instead

[Feline]

thanks Lara,I will keep him on them for another session and read up on the side affects.
if he is going to be on them for the long term I will get them via my drug dealer.
My vet charges an arm and leg for prescriptions so I need to get the financial balance right
I also have him on supplements from my food supplier.
He was on youmove, bit he stank and the need for poo bags was negated
when out walking you needed a hosepipe instead

Main potential side effects are on gut lining- if eaten on an empty stomach can lead to gastric ulcers. This is extremely rare though. But basically if you see any vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea (particularly if bloody) not related to the supplements then stop the drug, contact your vet. If they are unwell for another reason and the stomach gets upset then it's very wise to temporarily stop the Carprofen. If they are dehydrated and poorly for another reason then Carprofen like any of the NSAIDS can be bad for the kidneys. But in a dog with normal hydration and blood pressure this is really not an issue. Your vet might recommend a blood test every year or so as he gets older just to make sure his kidneys are working well, because renal failure is a contra-indication. I think I would certainly do this with my own dog on an annual basis- although I wouldn't start doing it every 3 months like some of the more paranoid people do.

[johnsb00]

thanks lara
blood test have been mentioned every 6 months, but this is for the lumps that are appearing all over him for the last few years (biopsies have been taken from these a few times)
I will make sure that they screen for any adverse affects of the medication at the same time.

max has always been sensitive in the guts department and anything out of the ordinary in the food department usually involves cleaning the carpets and opening all the windows
the wife gives him his medication inside cocktail sausages which seem to agree with his bowels

[mel]

Best wishes to Max

[HoundDog]

Oh, sorry to hear about Max. Poor Lad. Really hope he does well on his tablets and can enjoy his life. Xx

[johnsb00]

thanks houndDog
its just old age creeping up on us all

[Old Dragon]

Hope the meds work for him.

[johnsb00]

might try them myself