Lysodren and NSAID for OA

[Maggie Lou's Mom]

My almost 11 year old female lab Maggie was diagnosed with cushings about 6 months ago when she had pre-surgery blood work done to have bladder stones removed (for the second time in her life). She is in need of some stronger medicine for her arthritis as the DGP (natural) isn't doing the trick any more. I am wondering which NSAID to put her on, there are so many. Most popular and most expensive seems to be Rimadyl. She is on Lysodren & I don't want anything to interfere with that 2-500 mg tablets a week. Is Carprofen any good, something else? Anyone have any luck?

[Squirt's Mom]

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[Budsters Mom]

Hello to you and Maggie Lou,:)

I am so glad you found us.
Others will be dropping in shortly to say hello and to welcome you too!:)
You have come to the right place! There are many K9Cushings angels to help answer your questions and stay with you every step of the way. They love details, test results, any information you can get your hands on. The more the better. The more they know, the more they will be able help you and Maggie Lou. So, Please keep talking to us!
Hugs,
Kathy and Buddy:cool:

[frijole]

Personally I would not use the Rimadyl as it is very hard on the liver and cushings does affect the liver. If you google rimadyl there are other issues with it as well. I would also stay away from metacam. It seems like most of our members are using gabapentin and tramadol. I used tramadol (very very small dose as it is strong stuff) on my Haley as she turned 16. I also gave her adequan shots. She did fine and she was on lysodren. Kim

[Maggie Lou's Mom]

Well Maggie went to her Dr. Monday April 29th and got a shot of adequan. But ever since she appears to have no strength in her back legs. They were the ones I was concerned with in the first place since she had a limp after walking far, but now it just gives out completely sometimes. Also, she seems to slide on the tiles and smooth services more than ever. She even did a split and had to be helped up yesterday. What do you think? She is also panting alot so I'm going to get some blood work done, we may need to up her Lysodren.:confused:

[frijole]

Didn't the vet explain how adequan works? It takes a while for it to work so any changes from the first injection would not be from adequan unless it is pain from the shot itself. If I recall correctly my dogs went in every week for four weeks for a shot and then they went in once a month. The frequency might not be exact but you start off having to go in more frequently and then you taper back.

Here's a link to more info on adequan:
http://www.drugs.com/vet/adequan-canine.html
http://www.adequancanine.us/about/en/works.shtml
http://www.adequancanine.us/index2.shtml

When was the last time you had an acth test to measure the cortisol? You must have one of those done and THAT is what determines whether the dose of lysodren should be increased. Note that when you increase the lysodren you decrease the cortisol which would make the arthritis pain worse as the cortisol helps relieve pain.

How old is your baby? As mine got older their legs started to give just as you mentioned. My vet instructed me to put rugs all over my floors that weren't carpet. They need to be rubber backed so they don't slide. It helped prevent her from falling as you mentioned. I know it is so hard to watch. Kim

[Simba's Mom]

Welcome to you and Maggie, we are glad you found us, we are here for you and Maggie too.....

[Maggie Lou's Mom]

We tested blood three months ago but so concerned now with increase in drinking, more lameness in the back legs and ignoring her morning meal, which has NEVER happened in her life Im ready to run some blood work. Although in the evening I give more than the dry flood like morning and when I added the wet & some green beans she ate breakfast this morning, yesterday she ate the dry by 3 pm. Just seems like the shot wiped out all the good effects of the Lysodren. Called Dr. but haven't heard back will try again tomorrow. She is 11 on Saturday and glad I didn't get any more Adequan, also took advise and added rubber backed rugs in a few trickyer sports in the house.