Alternatives To Nsaids

[Fit for a King]

I do not want my vet to use Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx or in fact any NSAISD for post opertaive pain and inflammation. Has anyone gone through canine TOPL or TTP surgery with an alternative? Any suggestions pls?

[Golden Rules]

There's nothing wrong with those drugs when used short term. They are very effective as pain relief. In fact I'm not sure there is anything more effective than those drugs other than maybe a fentanyl patch?

You don't want your dog to be in any more pain than absolutely necessary do you?

The risk with those drugs is when they are used long term.

My boy has had 3 cruciate ops, and the first week or 10 days after the op is the worst and they really need good pain relief.

You probably need to go back and talk to your vet re other options if it concernes you that much.

eta - sorry I couldn't be more helpful to you

Edited January 22, 2010 by Golden Rules

[fifi]

Fentanyl patch would be my choice for the first 72 hour acute pain.

fifi

[Fit for a King]

Thanks Golden Rules - I don't necessarily believe they are safe for all dogs short or long term. I know in my breed Metacam is contraindicated and after all I have read about negative reactions to Rimadyl I do not want to risk it. I certainly don't want a dog in pain but pain is better than dead. The vet organising the surgery (but not performing it) poo poos any suggestion that NSAIDs are unsafe - despite the warnings on the label and the consumer sheets. hence I want to be able to suggest alternatives.

I'll go have a read about Fentanyl - thanks to both of you

[fifi]

Also, have a look at the newer generation nsaids like Previcox, for post orthopedic surgery I'd be going Fentanyl patch & previcox for short term use.

here's a link to some pretty good info - US names for the drugs but he does give examples of generic names too.

http://www.2ndchance.info/pain.htm

Sighthounds can be very sensitive to nsaids as well, I am VERY careful with them & only use if necessary for a short term issue.

fifi

[Fit for a King]

I've had two dogs literally fall over within 15 minutes of their first dose of metacam...once I started digging overseas found it wasn;t unusual - anecdotal evidence only of course. Now am VERY reluctant to use anything like it..ie any of the COX-2 inhibitirs.

Thanks Fifi will go have a look at the links and see what I can find.....looking at some of the fentanyl sites they warn against usage unless you are already an opiate user - obviously they were referring to humans but that's a worry! Will keep reading the canine specific aspetcs...

Edited January 25, 2010 by Fit for a King

[Lab_Rat]

Hi Fitforaking - I understand your reluctance for using nsaids! I do believe however that some sort of pain relief and anti inflammatory are needed for dogs post surgery- however not being in the know of such drugs I cant recommend any, sorry!

Our last ridgy had a front leg amputated when she was nine years old through osteosarcoma. After surgery she had pain relief patches (possibly Fentanyl) which worked wonders for her. I cant remember how many she had all up, it was a few years ago now, but she had one when she came home which I do remember removing and replacing it with another. Im not sure what other drugs she was on at the time, perhaps rimadyl.

Are there other alternatives?? I recall my sisters dog being on Tramal for severe pain relief. Are there other anti-imflammatories available, steroidal rather than non-steroidal??

I hope you find an alternative for your dog. Let us know what you do find please, I would be interested to know whats out there!!!

Rat

[Kelly_Louise]

I second the Previcox suggestion! We used them post op after Chloe's knee surgeries - and now that she has arthritis, we give her half a tablet on very bad days. They work brilliantly, quickly and as far as I can see have very little side effects.

[CavsRcute]

Would Tramadol be useful, although it is only a pain killer and I don't think that they are an anti infammatoires.

My girl has just had them after her tonsillectomy

[curlygirl]

My CCR has had both hips removed ( done at different times ) and she has had tramadol/tramal as pain relief. I found it worked really well. The clinic I work at also used fentanyl patches.

[westiemum]

My older westie boy (10 years) had both Metacam and Tramal post op after major surgery, short-term - left ear ablation. He did very well on them and it managed his pain and inflammation very well. Recent dose of Previcox - seemed to work well too. A few years back he had a Fentanyl patch after and ACL repair - did very well on that too. Doesn't seem to have any long term side effects at all.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[stormie]

I understand your concerns and would be using Fentanyl, but I also think some sort of anti inflammatory is needed after such a major surgery. I agree with fifi's recommendations.

[Fit for a King]

Thanks to everyone for your input. I have printed off some info and will take it when I see the vet Wednesday for x rays.