Thanks so much for this helpful site! I have a 9 yo German shorthaired pointer, Vayla, who due to hip dysplasia was recently started on Rimadyl. I am discontinuing this toxic med and will try Traumeel and/or Zeel in an attempt to improve comfort to her little hind region (she was a pet shop dog – urgh!!). Chondroitin and glucosamine as well as vitamin c treatments over the past several years were largely unsuccessful.

This site was just the kick in the butt I needed!

xoxoxo
Lisa and Vayla

I’m so sorry to hear your bad news.

And thank you for sharing your experience with the readers here so pet owners can learn that there are indeed significant dangers with Rimadyl and similar drugs.

I’m actually very surprised by the number of reports right here on this site about extrememely serious repercussions from using Rimadyl and similar (or identical?) drugs. My understanding (I could be wrong about this) is that Metacam, and perhaps Cartrophen are similar to Rimadyl.

To put the number of reports here in perspective, there are currently 105 posts (or articles) on this site, and 252 comments. These posts cover a myriad of different subjects, and 8 general topics.

There are 12 comments on this particular article about Natural Arthritis Care for Your Dog (not including mine), and 4 of them (one third) are about catastrophic effects of these drugs, including at least 3 which resulted in ultimate death.

I find this very scary.

Obviously, I was well aware of the potential dangers of Rimadyl, but this very high number of reports of tragedy is alarming.

Granted, pet owners who have had a bad experience with these drugs would be more likely to leave a comment here than pet owners who have used these drugs without incident. But even so, I’m very surprised to have 4 reports of tragedy right here.

The clear message is never let your vet prescribe Rimadyl or other similar drugs if there is any alternative available at all.

For arthritis in pets, there certainly are alternatives – see here – http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com/NaturalArthritisTreatment

Regards,
Brigitte

Thanks for your suggestions. It’s great to hear that Suki is now pain free.

Regards,
Brigitte

Wow, it just goes to show what natural remedies and a good natural diet can do for a dog.

A holistic approach is just so important. Treating symptoms with drugs is just a surface bandaid solution at best.

And I’m with you, Felicia, on asking questions. I’m amazed at how many pet owners take what their vets say as gospel without ever questioning anything. I’ve found that vets will often offer what they perceive to be a “quick fix” by using drugs that are “likely” to cover a range of problems that the dog “may” have. But when you question this approach, and say you don’t want your dog being given drugs indiscriminately, they will often suggest a less radical treatment. So it’s obvious that there often are alternatives that you may not be being told about. So ASK! and question, and keep asking and questioning!

Regards,
Brigitte

I couldn’t agree more that feeding a dog a raw diet makes an amazing change in their body. The excess grains in commercial food build up over time and have no where to go so they actually migrate to the joints causing numerous problems along with arthritis.

Along with Traumeel or Arnica for a limp or minor injury Cetyl M works very well for arthritis and aging joints. The one carried by Resource Products contains glucosamine and bromelain root (a natural anti-inflammatory) and I have been using it now for a bit on my own dogs and have seen a positive change.

Our vet wanted to put our lab on Rimadyl when he tore his ACL (which he is still recovering from) but we refused. A few days with Traumeel and he did great. Thanks to accupuncture, homeopathic care and the fact that he has been raw fed for 2 years he is up to a 1 1/4 mile walk per day at 8 weeks post injury.

I always look up a drug before I adminster it to my pets or myself. You can never ask enough questions!

Felicia

That’s a fabulous gesture to have given the compensation you received to the Sheltie Rescue. I really commend you for that. We should have more people like you in the world.

Regards,
Brigitte

http://www.naturalhealthconsult.com/Monographs/traumeel.html

A Nsaid almost killed Crystal, Metacam put her in complete kidney failure. I sued the Vet for using it when she had high Kindey # to start with and used without my knowledge. I won and gave $ to Sheltie Rescue in her name.

Billie

No wonder your labradors have lovely healthy coats with the really healthy food and supplements you’re feeding them (as well as the oatmeal shampoo!)

Regards,
Brigitte

Sorry, I missed your post until now.

Unfortunately, I don’t know of an odorless shampoo. Hopefully someone else reading your request will be able to assist with this great cause.

I’ve just given a monetary donation at Give2TheTroops.com .  Hope it helps in some small way.

Regards,
Brigitte

I’m so terribly sorry to hear your sad news. You must be devastated. And to know (or suspect) that this may have been caused by a drug that has caused this side effect (death) many times before must be almost too much to bear.

Regards,
Brigitte

We had a beautiful Labrador Retriever named Sabine, we took to the Vet on Monday because she had hurt her shoulder, they gave her pain relief and sent us home with Rimadyl. The next morning she was still in alot of pain so we took her to our own Vet, where they did an xray. I picked her up from the Vets on wednesday and was told she had a chiped shoulder bone rest and medication and she would be fine she had 2 dosages of Rimadyl one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday. Thursday morning she was vomiting very badley so I took her straight back to the Vet where they put her on a drip and did blood tests she didn’t make it she died that day at 5.50pm. Pfizer have asked to do an autopsy, This won’t bring a beautiful Sabine she would have been 3 year old on the 15/4/08. This should not happen I would never have given her this medication if I had known, dog’s don’t die from a chipped bone.

In memory of Sabine

If any of your followers out there are inclined to help the K-9 units overseas, please log on to Give2theTroops.com. There is a link called Items Requested, scroll down to K-9 needs. It gives information on items needed and approved. Thank you. Doris

Last week, he started vomiting and was taken to vet hospital, he has had blood tests and his ALT were 3229 (should be in the range of

Absolutely a natural diet is better for our dogs, and contributes to their staying fit and healthy for much longer than commercially fed dogs.

Hannah must be in great shape for the change in her diet to have reversed her arthritis.

Many dogs do eventually suffer from arthritis, though, even when fed raw meat, as my dogs are. And if this happens, it is of course important to keep on the natural track, and not give them drugs unless there is no alternative. And to stay away from Rimadyl and similar drugs at all costs (unless your vet has a compelling reason that convinces you it’s the only alternative for your dog).

Regards,
Brigitte

My dog, Hannah, who is a rescue dog, had arthritis when I adopted her at the age of 11.

When I changed her diet to natural, raw meat, the arthritis disappeared within a week or so. I was so very surprised. She is 12 now and gets out free-running and roaming in the woods every day from 2 to 6 hours (depends on what kind of interesting things she finds). She is a very happy, tired dog when she comes home, but no sign of arthritis.

I just wanted to let you know. Raw meat is natural to dogs and cats. Food must be the main problem for our pets. Processed food is bad for us. It must be bad for them as well.

Sincerely,

Miyako and Hannah