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My 13 year old boxer seems to be in some extra pain today (and last night). She took her tramadol but it doesn't seem to always do the trick. I've contemplated acupuncture but since whatever degenerative brain thing she has started, car rides make her look like she is having a seizure. Anyone have any home remedies or things they do that help ease the pain? I just tried to massage her hips but she freaked out and farted in my face.

I say keep rubbing her hips, rub even harder and let us know how it goes

Really though, I don't have dogs but have known many people who were pleased with the results of that glucosamine condroition (sp?). My h took it for his knees and liked it too. Good luck to you and doggie!

I'm not familiar with tramadol. Can you give her aspirin? The general rule for aspirin dosage in a dog is 325 mg for every 10 pounds the dog weighs.

Heat helps, do you have a heating pad you can apply or she can lay on?

She takes tramadol (pain reliever), proin (incontinence), prednisone (steroid), and I give her glucosamine. Because she needs the steroids, she can't take arthritis meds. I've read mixed things about giving dogs aspirin. I have and it always seems to help a lot but I don't want to give it to her everyday. She seeks out cold and lays on the tile. Later I'll warm up a towel in the dryer and put it on her. Hope she doesn't fart on me again.

We did gentle massage with our Dane and when it was cold she was worse so we used a heating blanket and would have her lay on it or lay in front of the fire.
Glucosamine and chondraotin was helpful too. We could give her the anti inflammatory drugs due to gut issues. Talk to your vet about that. Lastly when my golden had bone cancer we gave him Vicodin but it made him really sleepy.

I did acupressure on my elderly dogs, I believe I saw how on youtube.

I just looked some acupressure videos up. I tried one pressure point while she was laying down and she got really quiet (she has been panting hard because of the pain) and laid there all still. Then I did a pressure message and she didn't make a peep. So either she really liked it and it helped the pain or I almost killed my dog. Hopefully what I just did doesn't give her explosive diarrhea!

I want to post here because I read a HUGE red flag in one of the posts. NEVER I repeat NEVER give a dog or cat aspirin.
I am going to say this one more time because I can't emphasize enough how dangerous this is for your pet. DO NOT EVER give your dog or cat aspirin! PLEASE!

to add to my post above..... unless you want to watch your pet die of a slow painful death, stop giving your dog aspirin.

Can I ask why? I have only given it to her 3 times. Only one pill two days in a row about 2 weeks ago. And once today. I gave her the low dose (81 mg). I researched it and I saw plenty of reasons not to but also saw just as much that said once in awhile doesn't hurt. I know Motrin and Tylenol are toxic. Because of the steriods she can't take the arthritis meds. And because of the neurological degeneration, she freaks out on car rides now. It's like she is having a seizure. My vet does acupuncture but only in the office. I was looking on Craigslist for anyone who does dog acupuncture or acupressure but there wasn't any. I have to dig deeper and find someone who could come to the house. I know this all makes it sound like she has a poor quality of life and I should just put her down, but when the pain isn't bad, she's just like a normal old dog. Doesn't run around but she gets excited when I come home and eats and drinks just fine. Earlier I put a damp towel in the microwave and draped it over her back. The things I do for my dog.

Aspirin is toxic to cats. Dogs can have aspirin but should be as advised by a vet due to stomach sensitivity.

Aspirin is fine to give to a dog. But not Tylonol or Ibprophin.

My elderly English Mastiff who recently passed away had arthritis too. She was 13. (OLD for an English Mastiff) She suffered from arthritic pain her last year or so too.

I got her a very thick termpurpedic type 6" bed and gave her baby aspirin (4) once or twice a day (she weighed 175lbs) and gluclosamine. All of these things helped control her pain.

(((TTCD)))

(((TCD)))

When our furbabies get old it's hard to watch them suffer.
If she is in pain to the point of panting it's pretty significant. Please discuss other forms of pain control. If tramadol isn't cutting it she may benefit from a narcotic.

You have to weigh the quality days against the non quality days and decide when it is time to let her go. I can tell you that when it got warmer and nicer out my old dogs did better but they still continue to degenerate.

Acupressure can and sounds like it did provide relief. Hope she's having a better day today.

I will say again..... I work at a vet.... ASPIRIN IS NOT OK TO GIVE TO CATS OR DOGS!
When given for a period of time it starts to shut down their organs...... so if you consider that "ok" to give to dogs then by all means.
I don't think people should post that certain medicines are ok or not ok for pets unless they know for certain..... having given your pet any of these medications does not mean its OK.......

I WORK FOR A VET and have seen many dogs die from aspirin because their owner thought it was "ok" to give them since we take it as humans.

We also eat grapes.... did you know that grapes are TOXIC to dogs and can kill them..... as well as onions, chocolate, among other things.....

I am begging you please do not post things that you "think" are ok to give your dog unless you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN!

Thanks everyone. She is better than yesterday but still in pain. She is resting quietly right now. I gave her 2 tramadol (doctor told me I could if she was in a lot of pain) and put a space heater in the kitchen for her. It's so difficult to actually tell what the problem is. Is she declining? Is it the weather? There is snow everywhere, out front and in back (with lots of icey snow), and did she strain her back when she went out? She will get up and walk and she is still very stiff but today she seems more steady. I took her out front and she went up and down the stairs decently. I said that she needs to retire to Arizona. If she wasn't so old and didn't have issues with her brain, I'd send her to live with my parents in Southern Califorinia. That is why my dad is there. The weather helps his arthritis pain and keeps him active. It sucks not actually knowing if this is just a bad few days or if this is serious...that stupid time thing. I've been trying to find someone who comes to the house for acupuncture/acupressure but I haven't found anything. I did however find a pet psychic. Maybe I should get her to talk to the dog and find out what is wrong with her!

[This message edited by TattoodChinaDoll at 2:20 PM, February 16th (Sunday)]

OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS

You may help to ease your pet's symptoms with the use of some over-the-counter medicines.  However, it's never a good idea to just assume a human medication will be a safe and effective treatment for your pet.  Contact your veterinarian before starting any medical therapy, to discuss your options.  Always let the veterinarian know your pet's symptoms and what you have been treating it with.  As with all illnesses, persistent symptoms warrant a trip to the doctor's office.

WARNING!  DO NOT GIVE!

Acetaminophen(Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) are toxic to both cats and dogs, even in small doses.  Many medications can be highly toxic to cats, including Pepto Bismol, Kaopectate and aspirin.
Here is a list of over-the-counter medications that can be safely used for your pet.  Please read everything before administering an OTC medication to your pet.  If it is not on this list -- do not give it!
 
IMODIUM(loperamide):
Can be given to some dogs and cats for diarrhea.  WARNING: Certain dog breeds related to Collies may have adverse reactions to Imodium (loperamide).  Do not give this medicine to Collies, Shelties, Australian Shephards and Long-haired Whippits. See this site for more detailed information.  (Thanks to Ken Brookner for this correction.)

For those animals for which this medicine is appropriate give 1 teaspoon for every 20 pounds.  This dosage can be repeated every 4-6 hours until symptoms begin to resolve, not to exceed 24 hours.

PEPTO-BISMOL:
Can be administered to dogs (never cats!) with upset stomach or vomiting.  Give one teaspoon per 20 pounds of weight every 4-6 hours for 24 hours, or until symptoms begin to resolve.

BENADRYL(Diphenhydramine):
Benadryl is an antihistamine that helps relieve swellings and itching from allergic reactions and is used long-term to treat allergies.  The dose is one milligram for every pound given twice daily.  (Although safe to use, Benadryl is not very effective in cats, and other antihistamines are more commonly prescribed.)

Benadryl Dosage
Twice daily
Dogs
(1 mg per pound) Cats
weight amount
12 lbs 12 milligrams
(pediatric dose)   NOT
  EFFECTIVE  
25 lbs 25 milligrams
(1 adult capsule)
50 lbs 50 milligrams
(2 adult capsules)

ASPIRIN:
Can be given short term to dogs (never cats!) to help relieve inflammation and pain.  Buffered Aspirin (Bufferin) is easier on the stomach but regular (non-coated) aspirin can also be used.  Aspirin may be given once or twice a day.  Always give aspirin with food.

Aspirin has potent blood thinning properties, and continued usage may be dangerous in some animals. For long term pain relief there are safer veterinary-specific alternatives.

Aspirin Dosage
Once or twice a day, with food
Dogs Cats
weight amount
less than 10 lbs ½ baby aspirin   NEVER!  
10-30 lbs 1 baby aspirin
30-50 lbs ½ regular aspirin
50-100 lbs 1 regular aspirin
over 100 lbs 2 regular aspirin

DRAMAMINE (Dimenhydrinate):
Dramamine is an antihistamine that works well at preventing motion sickness in both cats and dogs.  This drug works best if given at least ½ hour prior to travel. 

Dramamine Dosage
½ hour prior to travel
Dogs Cats
weight amount
small 12.5 milligrams 12.5 milligrams
medium 25 milligrams
large 50 milligrams

TAGAMET (Cimetidine) /PEPCID-AC (Famotidine) /ZANTAC (Ranitidine):
Reduces the amount of stomach acids and can be dispensed to dogs and cats suffering from ulcers, acid reflux or belly ache. Sometimes they are used to prevent ulcers in animals taking other medications. These medications are given once to twice daily. It's best to discuss the exact dosage with your veterinarian.

Tagamet/Pepcid-AC/Zantac Dosage
one or twice daily
Dogs Cats
weight amount
less than 20 lbs ¼ tablet ¼ tablet
20-60 lbs ½ tablet
over 60 lbs 1 whole tablet
HYDROCORTISONE:
Can help to relieve itchy, raw or irritated skin. It can be used topically to reduce itching from hives, hot spots, and insect bites and stings. Apply a small amount up to two times daily.

GAS-X (Simethicone):
Simethicone is used in dogs to help with unusual flatulence or gas discomfort. Any dog suspected of Bloat should get 2 doses immediately before transport to the Emergency Clinic.

GAS-X Dosage
Dogs Cats
weight amount
small ¼ adult dose ¼ adult dose
medium ½ adult dose
large 1 adult dose

GLUCOSAMINE:
Glucosamine (and glucosamine in combination with chondroitin sulfate) is used to treat joint pain associated with arthritis. This is a long term treatment and its effects may not be immediately noticeable.

Glucosamine Dosage
total per day
Dogs Cats
weight amount
under 25 lbs 500 milligrams 500 milligrams
25-50 lbs 1000 milligrams
over 50 lbs 1500 milligrams

ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENTS:
Are helpful in the treatment of small wounds, bites or minor infections.  Always thoroughly clean the wound with soap and water first.

ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP:
Can be use to clean any wound or injury.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE:
1 - 10 teaspoons given orally can be used to induce vomiting in dogs.  (See toxicities.)  Never induce vomiting unless being directed to by a veterinarian.  If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially posionous substance, call the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.  Hydrogen peroxide is not as effective to clean wounds as antibacterial soap and water.

NASAL SPRAYS:
Saline nasal spray and pediatric nasal sprays (Little Noses) can be given in kittens, cats, puppies, and dogs to alleviate dryness and nasal congestion associated with a cold.  No other type of OTC nasal medication should be used unless prescribed by your veterinarian.

Source: Walker Valley Veterinary Hospital

[This message edited by sadtoo at 2:36 PM, February 16th (Sunday)]

My dog really responds well to glucosamine + chondroitin.

T/j
I remember when Stella (my Mastiff) was a puppy and she was chewing on some stuffed bunny toy she had. I was watching her and thinking, "I should probably take that away from her...." when she suddenly gulped it down.

This was the weekend, so I called the emergency vet clinic and told them what happened and they told me to give my puppy some hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. I asked them how much to give her and they said, "So and so tablespoons or 1/2 a cup for a 50lb puppy. How much does your puppy weigh?"

140lbs

So my husband held her down and I got out the turkey baster. Then we went out side and waited. Sure enough she started to heave and up came bunny!

[This message edited by sadtoo at 3:08 PM, February 16th (Sunday)]

T/J related to Peroxide (H2O2)

As a mom of a Lab -

So my husband held her down and I got out the turkey baster. Then we went out side and waited. Sure enough she started to heave and up came bunny!

I have done this trick many times. We even have a Turkey Baster that is the "Dog Baster" we keep it in a bucket with the H2O2. LOL
Had to do this for other dogs in the past, but the best, was when my current lab decided to eat 7 2inch thick cut pork chops, raw. When she vomited them up, they were whole. Intact, no teeth marks or anything.

She is unbelievable.

End t/j

I think I have my answer to what is wrong. I think it's time for her to go. We just started day 3 of no eating or drinking. Yesterday she was in soooo much pain. Even the two tramadol did nothing. She has episodes of not being able to get up and it's like her back legs are paralyzed. And when she can get up and walk around her back legs drag and knuckle. She just doesn't look like happy. I slept downstairs with her last night and for most of the night she was panting, pacing, circling and dragging her leg. I got up and tried to give he water out of a water bottle and she wouldn't have it. I have an appointment at 2:15 at the vet. If he says otherwise then this dog is immortal. It's difficult to say how I feel because we are in off topic but all I can say is I'm losing again. Losing something that has loved me no matter what.