Rimadyl After Desexing?

[Reddii]

Mr 9 months (BC and VERY well endowed) has just been desexed. The incision itself is fine and seems to be healing well, but the scrotum is quite inflamed and a bit swollen.

We took CK back to the vet because it just didn't look right and after speaking with one of the nurses at training she thought it would be a good idea.

OH took the little man in and came away with some anti-biotics for what the vet felt was an infection and 3 days worth of Rimadyl.

Having read some interesting things about the drug I was wondering if anyone had an opinion about whether it is an appropriate drug, given he wasn't in major discomfort. If so should we have been told to look for any side effects or am I just being paranoid?

Cheers.

Tony

[Golden Rules]

JUst bumped another thread on Rimadyl for you.

[Janba]

Rimadyl is an anti inflammatory so he may have been given it for the swelling.

My older boy was given rimadyl after his desexing because he also had a difficult tooth extraction at the same time. There was no problems and probably because of it the scrotum didn't swell much and he didn't even try to lick it.

[monsterpup]

When my boy was desexed I asked for an alternative pain-killer. I'm sorry, I can't remember what it was, but it wasn't an NSAID.

You have every right to ask for something else with less risk - my vet was perfectly happy to find me an alternative.

Personally, I think Rimadyl is way over-prescribed. It should be kept for use in dogs with severe arthritic pain, etc, where the risk is worth it.

Hope your boy is ok after his "de-jewelling".

[Reddii]

When my boy was desexed I asked for an alternative pain-killer. I'm sorry, I can't remember what it was, but it wasn't an NSAID.

You have every right to ask for something else with less risk - my vet was perfectly happy to find me an alternative.

Personally, I think Rimadyl is way over-prescribed. It should be kept for use in dogs with severe arthritic pain, etc, where the risk is worth it.

Hope your boy is ok after his "de-jewelling".

Thanks all for your responses. I just have a feeling that this vet tends to over prescribe/sell every time we go in there - he's caring and personable, but we always come away with more than I feel we need.

Problem is that OH took him to the vet and she tends not to ask as many questions as I do or look behind why we are doing something.

It's only another day on the stuff and CK is MUCH better today - the problem area is not nearly as angry looking. I think in future that we will be looking to our 'other' vet for anything other than the dreaded annual shots. Both vets know we use two for different things so there is no problem there.

Cheers.

Tony

[KitKat]

I actually 'made use' of the pain Sabre was in after he was desexed - they had to go in and find the hidden testicle...lol. He wasn't quite as energetic due to the fact he was feeling a bit sore and sorry for himself - i thought about getting him painkillers...but i figured if he can't feel it he'd be his enthusiastic self again too quick.

He had quite a bit of swelling and then rubbing of and around his sac but i just kept checking it a few times a day and put pawpaw ointment on the rubbed areas. He trashed his headcollar three times in 2 days until it wasn't even able to be glued/taped back together...so again we just kept an eye on him without using the headcollar. He didn't bother the two stitched areas too badly - but my suggestion is to keep him as quiet as possible for the first couple of days :rolleyes:

It is normal for the sac to become swollen after the op- even to look as if the dog has not been desexed - some look worse then others eg red and angry looking etc. It does tend to be worse at the beginning if the dog isn't kept quiet to start with...lol...often easier said then done!

[Reddii]

I actually 'made use' of the pain Sabre was in after he was desexed - they had to go in and find the hidden testicle...lol. He wasn't quite as energetic due to the fact he was feeling a bit sore and sorry for himself - i thought about getting him painkillers...but i figured if he can't feel it he'd be his enthusiastic self again too quick.

He had quite a bit of swelling and then rubbing of and around his sac but i just kept checking it a few times a day and put pawpaw ointment on the rubbed areas. He trashed his headcollar three times in 2 days until it wasn't even able to be glued/taped back together...so again we just kept an eye on him without using the headcollar. He didn't bother the two stitched areas too badly - but my suggestion is to keep him as quiet as possible for the first couple of days

It is normal for the sac to become swollen after the op- even to look as if the dog has not been desexed - some look worse then others eg red and angry looking etc. It does tend to be worse at the beginning if the dog isn't kept quiet to start with...lol...often easier said then done!

We've been keeping CK quiet for the last 5 months after his broken elbow - another week hasn't hurt!

I'd just had the big chat from the nurse when I went to pick him up on Tuesday night then she went in to get him. I was standing calmly all ready to receive a dopey eyed sook and down the hallway from the recovery area came bounding the dumbest looking BC you've ever seen, complete with idiotic grin!!

It's slowed him up a bit, but this morning he was back to his usual nut bag (pardon the pun) self. I'll check with the vet and see what they think about training on Monday night - I might have to turn up with an imposter......

[KitKat]

Yup...know the feeling...Sabe 2 hours after the op started howling once he heard my voice at the front counter and then dragged the vet nurse down the hall way in his efforts to get to me. I was hoping for him to be quiet for the 2nd time of his life...

Bronx did the whole..."oh woe is me...no energy...mummy help me" act

If he's not tender and the swelling has gone down then CK shouldn't be too bad for training...if not and you bring an imposter...Bronx will probably be even more interested!

[Reddii]

Yup...know the feeling...Sabe 2 hours after the op started howling once he heard my voice at the front counter and then dragged the vet nurse down the hall way in his efforts to get to me. I was hoping for him to be quiet for the 2nd time of his life...

Bronx did the whole..."oh woe is me...no energy...mummy help me" act

If he's not tender and the swelling has gone down then CK shouldn't be too bad for training...if not and you bring an imposter...Bronx will probably be even more interested!

She is a pretty little thing, but the imposter won't want to know - she is amazing - totally focussed on one of three things.......tennis ball, tuggie or me probably in that order.

Sorry to break it to you, but Bronx is 'only' a dog.

The only two dogs she has any interest in (apart from CK who is like an annoying little brother that has to be pulled in to line occasionally) are our in-laws' bitsa and sometimes a little kelpie girl at flyball. Makes training that much easier - one less thing I have to contend with any way!

See you Monday.

[Rappie]

In short - prescribing Rimadyl (or any other NSAID) in this situation would be appropriate. It was a course of short duration to treat inflammation at a surgical site.

Rimadyl use often gets met with a hysterical response from owners. It is true that there are many horror stories published and NSAIDs in general have recognised side effects, keep in mind that carprofen (under all brands) is probably one of the most widely used NSAIDs in veterinary practice and has a wide safety margin.

All drugs have potential side effects, and in a lot of cases NSAIDs especially can be used inappropriately and in patients where they are not the best choice. I quite enjoy it when I can talk honestly to people who have researched drugs on their own and we can discuss the how and why of what I am doing, so I hope that this isn't construed as denying that they can cause problems. I try to inform all my clients of potential problems, I want them to let me know ASAP and I try to encourage regular monitoring of liver / kidney function of any animal that happens to require long term treatment.

[KitKat]

She is a pretty little thing, but the imposter won't want to know - she is amazing - totally focussed on one of three things.......tennis ball, tuggie or me probably in that order.

Hehehehehe I know better then to get between a BC and a tennis ball! Or any of their fav toys for that matter! I've been taken out at the knees, BC smooched and had said toy tossed at me several times And not just from the same dog!

But yeah...having such great focus is sooo handy in training...lol - my boys follow me with their ears, but their eyes are watching everything else

Hope CK is fine for training Monday...or if not then I'm sure the pretty girl will star instead See ya then

Edited August 17, 2007 by KitKat

[Reddii]

In short - prescribing Rimadyl (or any other NSAID) in this situation would be appropriate. It was a course of short duration to treat inflammation at a surgical site.

Rimadyl use often gets met with a hysterical response from owners. It is true that there are many horror stories published and NSAIDs in general have recognised side effects, keep in mind that carprofen (under all brands) is probably one of the most widely used NSAIDs in veterinary practice and has a wide safety margin.

All drugs have potential side effects, and in a lot of cases NSAIDs especially can be used inappropriately and in patients where they are not the best choice. I quite enjoy it when I can talk honestly to people who have researched drugs on their own and we can discuss the how and why of what I am doing, so I hope that this isn't construed as denying that they can cause problems. I try to inform all my clients of potential problems, I want them to let me know ASAP and I try to encourage regular monitoring of liver / kidney function of any animal that happens to require long term treatment.

Thanks Rappie,

I guess that's part of my thought process. Would have been nice to know what the potential for problems is, rather than the 'take this it is good for him' approach.

Part of the problem as I said is that OH is very accepting of what professionals say where as I'll ask questions to the point of being painful. I'm not hysterical, just looking for some opinions on whether the drug is appropriate. It has definitely helped and the boy is much better again today.

Cheers.

Tony

[Poodle wrangler]

I gave my dog some Mobic (another NSAID that's OK for dogs) but just used the human kind (vet suggestion) at a dose recommended by the vet.

NSAIDs reduce inflammation, so reduce pain as well and are really effective. Side effects can happen, usually gastrointestinal (e.g. ulcer or bleeding) but is uncommon after only a few doses.

These type of drugs are commonly used in humans post-op with minimal side effects, so don't worry. My dog was fine, but didn't seem sore day 2, so I didn't give him any more.

[BenjiMom]

Glad you mentioned mobic, cause my partner uses it for his back pain. We will have our pup desexed at around 6 months...handy to know I can use the mobic, will ask the vet how much to give him though, no guessing games here.

[Reddii]

just spoke with OH and CK is running around tossing his squeaky toy in the air and catching it - sure sign he is on the mend and going insane after 4 days either crated or in his run without a walk!

Can't wait to get home and get a big kiss! (from OH as well )