Question:
My 13-year-old collie/shepherd mix was put on Deramaxx (50 milligrams per day) by her veterinarian for arthritis. I gave her one dose after food and it caused Becky considerable discomfort. Her symptoms included heavy panting, decreased heart rate, extreme restlessness all night, anxiety, nervousness and pacing. I feared a heart attack was imminent. The entire night was spent keeping her calm.So I now have her on chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM. Sometimes she has difficulty getting up. Should I give her aspirin?.
K.H., North Miami, FL Sep 11, 2005
Answer:
I trust you reported the serious adverse drug reaction to the veterinarian who prescribed the new medicine. I would like to hear from other readers with similar experiences.Buffered aspirin can be given to dogs twice daily with food at a dose of 100 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight, for three to four days at a time, provided the dog is otherwise healthy. This may help. However, long-term use of aspirin, ibuprofen and other similar drugs can actually worsen cartilage degeneration in arthritic joints. Massage therapy, acupuncture, a soft bed and therapeutic magnets taped over afflicted areas will also help.
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