advice needed please

[daydreams]

hi, not had a good 24 hours with bracken and would welcome some comments and advice.  Bracken sleeps in our bedroom in her own bed, yesterday morning at 1:30 she cried out, called her to see if she was OK and she was limping and her back legs seemed to be giving way, rested her overnight and no improvement in the morning so took her to the vet.  Bracken last week did seem to limp with her left leg, it didn't affect her too much, so we rested her over the weekend and she seemed fine, Friday we had a lovely walk and she ran and chased her ball and enjoyed sniffing and exploring as she normally does, but as i say, yesterday morning at 1:30 she cried out and her back legs seemed to be giving way.  we got an appointment with the vet who prescribed RIMIFIN, which i understand contains CARPROFEN. there has been no improvement with her symptoms and although she is able to walk, her back legs do have a tendency to give way, .  i know it's not always the best thing to look things up on the internet, but i have read some horror stories regarding RIMIFIN , which contains CARPROFEN. 

I will be taking her to the vets if there is no improvement, but what do you guys think about this, should i continue with RIMIFIN, or what.  Personally, i am one that hates taking medication at all, which might  be clouding my judgment, i just want to do whats best for bracken



would welcome your advice

thanks

Maria

[bracken]

Sorry to here Bracken not well its awful to see them in pain 

I have not used Rimifin but its like so many drugs if you read the side effects you would not be happy taking them. My Bracken has been on Metacam for years due to his back legs and he is 13 it also has problems with side effects but I have no choice as it keeps him pain free which is a must 

hope she is better soon  keep us posted 

[Helen]

most drugs can have side effects, particularly long term - you have to balance out whether the risk is worse than the affliction which is a really difficult thing to do.

TBH I would take her to the vets and ask for further tests/xrays asap - if she's collapsing on both back legs now I doubt whether this is a joint issue which is what the Carprofen will have been prescribed for 

[daydreams]

many thanks for your prompt replies, today i will continue with the rimoprin, and i will be taking her to the vets tomorrow asap.  Bracken is 9 years this august and up until now has behaved just as a puppy, infact on our walks, because she is so full of life and barking after her ball, they are suprised when i say she is 8  yrs old.   gosh what they put you through hey?

i will keep you updated re progress

thanks
maria

[jann]

As others have said, you will find all drugs have side effects, but it doesn't mean that all dogs will experience them.

 Did your vet explain what he thought the problem was ? I think I would take her back to the vet tomorrow if she isn't improving at all.
 

[daydreams]

Hi Jann, , yes the vet thought that it was muscular skeltal,  gave her an injection yesterday am, with Rimifin  and to continue tablets, twice daily starting today, as yet no signs of any improvement, although i do appreciate its early yet, she will continue to be spoilt rotten today and if no improvement i will take her to vet tomorrow

Maria

[jann]

  I just wondered whether it is a leg or back problem ? I hope she starts to improve today