Potential Rimadyl reaction (Bugsy) - help!(UPDATE pg 2)

I'll go out on a limb and say that I doubt that it's the Rimadyl. 

He's been exposed to too many new things in a short period of time that could easily cause GI upset.

 Thanks - I am trying to lean that way - but he has never really had GI issues.  Usually if a food (like her treats) contain an allergen he has hives and skin issues.  He can get loose poop from it but it passes quickly.

I was doing OK until I saw the blood.

As someone who personally has never had GI issues is there anything i should do for him?

Poor Bugsy.  Hope the poop issue resolves.  My little Willow had what sounds to be almost the same thing you're describing and she was given something by her doctor that helps to coat her intestines.  I'm sorry but I don't recall the name of it (it was in a tube and was black....maybe someone else knows what I mean).  I was also told to wait at least a full day to feed her after her first dose.  It did the job fairly well.  I know the blood thing had me pretty upset and concerned.  He told me large quantities of food (among other things) could cause it if she wasn't used to it.

I hope you figure out what's wrong.

Hugs for Bugsy.

Johnny & Tessy

Just plain old pain, or being frustrated about "can do this the way I always do" can cause gi upset.  easily.  Literally it is super easy when there is any sort of 'stress' for gut bacteria to flourish and over-grow.  Add to that a change in food and it could definitely explain some collitis (constipation and then loose stool).

However, according to my "Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat" (Dell Ref, 1998) yeah, one of the typical side effects of Rimadyl (Carprophen) is vomiting and diarreha. 

BUT -- typically you're also looking for dark/black stool (literally evidence of gastric bleeding) not *light* stool. 

If it were me I'd probably add valerian root or passion flower capsules (adult human dose twice a day of either) and reduce (but not elminate) the Rimadyl.  The relaxant will keep the joint looser so less Rimadyl should be able to actually *do* more.  It may also help you get thru this time with less side effects.

I would also probably add chamomile and slippery elm.  Maybe 1/2 teas. slippery elm powder and the contents of one chamomile tea bag brewed in 1/2 c. boiling water -- let cool and add to his food (1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the afternoon).  The chamomile is a light nsaid but it will help soothe the stomach in a big huge way AND the slippery elm will help protect the GI tract.  Slippery elm is a good anti-inflammatory for the intestinal tract. 

You may see some loose stool (and right now loose is WAY better than him straining and having to over-use that leg to potty) but it should calm down the areas that are bleeding.

If you were seeing RED blood in the stool then that's lower intestine -- if the blood was coming from the stomach, liver, etc. it would be BLACK in the ***.  But bloody *** means it's irritated way way low -- almost to the end of the intestines (i.e., not digested -- it's just got the intestinal tract all sore.)

The vet would probably give metranydazole -- but that too is hard on the liver. 

I would personally fast him for 24 hrs unless he needs to have food with his other meds. Give his gi tract a break.

kpwlee

I was doing OK until I saw the blood.

I know exactly how you feel. I posted a few months ago that Sassy had some of the very same poop issues. It resolved completely within a couple days and I still have no idea what caused it. After alllllll the different things Bugsy has ingested over the last few days, it'd be close to impossible to pin it down to any one thing. I've used Rimadyl with current and past dogs with no problems, but I know that it's had some bad press. If it were me, I'd go back to basics on food for a few days and see if everything resolves. As far as treats when he's rehabbing, can you bring something along for the tech to give him? Sassy's allergies are so bad that I always carry fresh carrots to the vets with me. I just can't take chances that they'll throw her somethng that'll cause a flare-up.

 I had my girl to have a bad reaction to Previcox. It would seem that only very small percentage of dogs will have bad reaction to these, but some of them, if they do, it can be very bad.

While your dogs problem could be caused by something else, personally, I would stay away from this by all means. There are other treatments.

We have done stem cells,  our canadian version to Adequan injections, low lever cold laser, supplements. Acupuncture can also work really well. Supplements MSM, glucosamine (many products available), omega 3, even enzymes are anti-inflamatory.

So as I said, while lot of dogs seem to only benefit from Rimadyl and such, and shile the problems could be caused by something else, I would definitely stay away from these meds, since there are other options which minimal to none potential of damage of your dog's health.

I figure adding some probiotics never hurts and might help, particularly after a antibiotic treatment.

All this 'novel' stuff that made it into his digestive tract could of course also be the cause, including new food, even though similar.

 But personally, I don't want to see NSAIDS in my house, period.

Jana

Bring your own treats to the rehab session, that way you'll be save.

 Thanks everyone - processing it all.

Cathy I had my own treats  and stated he needed to have his. Double 

Julie I am not sure that I could deal with him fasting as well as inactive and bored - seriously!  For him he had a light meal tonight.  I'll see how things are in the morning

I feel that it's important to keep the pain under control post op so he doesn't favor the leg any more than necessary.  You may not see signs of pain but he can subtly put more weight on the other side if his repaired side is hurting.  As we know, dogs don't always let us know when they hurt.  I think talking to your surgeon tomorrow will be helpful. 

 How's Bugsy doing today; I hope his stools are better.

 Thanks for asking Janice - unfortunately this morning he had more soft poop and DH took him out a bit ago and said he went but couldn't see it.  I have given him ground beef and rice to try and settle things.

I gave him a Rimadyl last night and tonight as I was worried about his leg.  He was clearly in pain by 8:30 or so last night.  He went to his therapy today and has been fine energy-wise. Today he has hardly had anything to drink, other than a large drink in the water tank treadmill

I spoke to the vet and he said it COULD be Rimadyl effecting his GI.  Just need to see if it clears.

Also found out that there was egg in the treats the therapist used - but I wouldn't expect that effect to last so long.  So we will see in the morning.  he's out for the night now.

It isn't diarrhea as it is controlled and only during normal times for him.  I'm upset because I worry as he heals that his nutrition isn't optimal like this and also that we had been doing so well with all his issues this feels like we may have set off a reaction.  Fingers crossed he's pooping as normal tomorrow

Hope Bugs is feeling better!!

Aww poor Bugs, the boy here sympathizes, his new diet of brown rice and mackeral is not in with his wanting the vanilla buttercream I ate earlier.

As for the therapist and his treats, make him  eat them, your dog has allergies and is recovering, he can bend and use yours like it or not. And you can tell him I said so. If that don't work send me the address I will ship Kord over.

 Jasmine was on pain meds only post-op--and she had 6 surgeries total in the last year. I do believe in pain control, but I have very strong reservations against NSAIDS.