Dog pain question am I being unrealistic

Holidays_are_coming

Holidays_are_coming

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 April 2008
Messages
6,448
Location
Northamptonshire
Visit site
My dads dog has had many problems over the years and for the last 2 years has been on Trocoxil for neck pain, in the last 6 months he has started to show pain so I took him back to the vet and we did x-rays and he was developing spondylosis of the spine (he is a cavy so its to be expected), he struggles to even jump in the car but on the flat is fully mobile, we have changed him to previcox and it really helped for about 2 weeks, then he started showing pain again, so we tried adding in tramadol, which just made him sleepy with no change in pain, he is now on Gabapentin, which was helping but today twice he settled then struggled to move again. He saw a Chiro just before christmas which helped him, but he seems to be back to square one.

I launched trocoxil so have been taught that no dog should have to be in pain, but my vet seems to be at a loss, and he cant make jasper so pain in the consulting room and Im starting to think he thinks Im mad!!

His weight is perfect at just over 10kgs, and he had a liver and kidney function test and all is good even though he has been on Pain killers for years. He gets picked up to go up the stairs, but Id hope he could could pop up a single one.

So should I keep pushing to get it sorted, I feel like a neutrotic owner!! He is insured with Pet plan so money is no object, I just really want the boy to enjoy the rest of his life - he is 6 so hoping he has a few years left!!!

Left over christmas food to share before the health kick starts tomorrow!!
 
Second opinion perhaps?personally id say one of the university hospitals but like i said thats a personal choice thing.A different practice to the original would always be a choice for me with second opinions preferably specialist..

You say the dog has also had a number of different issues..could it be that now there is another issue at play?another work up of the case might be a good idea if nothing else a fresh set of eyes could help.

Spondylosis....its a degenerative condition.Many dogs can have it with no effect.Others can be seriously affected and worsen as it increases with time.Had he radiographs taken originally for the neck pain?any difference in them between then and now?
Your vet does appear to have tried a number of the drugs that are typically known for being good at managing chronic pain,tramadol,gabapentin....was any other nsaid used apart from the Trocoxil?any steroids used?

Id serious consider reworking up the case...just in case another issue could be found or to see if there is degeneration going on by the spondylosis worsening..

Also look at his levels of pain...what exactly what causes him to have his good days.what exactly will cause him to be uncomfortable..is it on a cold or wet day?increased activity decreased activity,certain positions of siting,only after he pushes himself jumping climbing?.....could it be remembered or anticipated pain to a certain degree?are their consistent triggers?

Supplement wise-some might help though im still not convinced personally some people do like them.Omega 3 fatty acids could be helpful...
Acupuncture is another thing that could be considered.It has been shown to help in humans with chronic pain..its another option.
Swimming might be also helpful to increase his suppleness and loosen some of the tension in his muscles.If hes not able to do full range of motion,jump etc he may be compensating and adjusted stance to avoid pain he may sore or tense...the easier movement in water could help him overall.

Apart from his occasional pain is he otherwise well?
 
My old GSD had spondylosis, most of the time she was fine but used to have pain flare ups when she cried in pain and could hardly move. My vet put her on cartrophen injections, one a week for a month, then as far as I recall every 3 months. This regime kept her pain free for over 2 years until she was pts for other health problems.
 
If you think your dad's dog is in pain then yes, keep pushing to get it sorted. I think a second opinion is a good idea and whether your vet thinks you are over-reacting or not you are within your rights to ask for second opinion or a referral to a specialist if you want one.

I'd try to get him sent somewhere with specialists in orthopaedics/neurology and access to MRI scan as, while it could be the spondylosis seen on x-rays, it would be worth imaging his spinal cord and looking for disc problems etc etc. Some of the specialist hospitals have pain clinics as well and they might be able to offer some additional options for keeping him comfortable.
 
Are you sure its not syringomyelia?
that is very very common in cavies and can cause the kind of pain you describe, esp around neck area, without being any evidence on xrays?
If insured would be worth an MRI scan?
 
I know MM mentioned cartrophen injections - I didn't know they were for pain control too but our goldie had her last of 4 injections last week (she has severe hip dysplasia) and at 10 years old went out for an hour and a half walk yesterday, kept up with our 12 month old GSD and hasn't limped once since - great improvement with her.
Deff 2nd opinion, if the gabapentin isn't working (on that myself, I know its a very good painkiller targeting the nerves but you do have to increase it until it has an effect in humans) then maybe someone can suggest something different and try and stop the pain from a different angle?
K x
 
hello...sorry to hear he's feeling bad, but I'm sure being a cavy you'd never know to look at him, having had two they just smile & wag where most dogs breath!
Now, very sorry to bore with my history but some of the meds you mention, I have been on,also for pain so i understand your saying they don't work- the gabapentin and the tramadol-not to mention the numerous others, *boring bit*including naproxyn & codeine before Christmas 2010 I was on 36 pills a day & still in pain with virtually no mobility.I also felt so AWFUL it was untrue & the concoction made me repulsed at food(I'm the biggest foodie ever)i was barely able to lift my head & became zombie like & anorexic, tho felt sick from the meds & dizzy 24/7. I stopped all the meds & have self treated ever since with heat & hydrotherapy(spa 4 hours a day) *end of boring bit* ..so i have two suggestions...the sauna is not an option, but you could try an infra red lamp to help him and also hydrotherapy-swimming and water are the best remedy ever (biased I know but they are totally natural and you are totally in control..if you can't afford hydrotherapy, you can get a bouyancy jacket on ebay or via a website(mind your dog.co.uk will direct you to xtradogs.com(?) you can then put him in the bath or buy a special plastic trough sized tub just for him if squeamish about the bath there are many ways you can help him with water without spending a fortune,,,speak to your vet & try contacting Nick Thompson(?) he's a natural/holistic vet based in Bath & London...it is VERY much worth even speaking to him -lovely man & genuinely cares..also written alot for numerous books & has a very good reputation.I hope he feels better very soon both mine reach ripe old ages of 12 and stayed young till the last x
 
It's defo not the brain thing, neck injury was a accident, where he fell and it caused spinal damage but it looks better on x-rays now.

My dad has called to say he has been crying again tonight, both vet and chiro both say swimming would be really bad for him due to the position he would be in.
 
Holidays_are_coming said:
It's defo not the brain thing, neck injury was a accident, where he fell and it caused spinal damage but it looks better on x-rays now.

My dad has called to say he has been crying again tonight, both vet and chiro both say swimming would be really bad for him due to the position he would be in.
Click to expand...

I know 2 Cavis we had in with spinal injuries (one had lost use of full back end) when I worked at a canine hydrotherapy place went for their swimming session hooked up to a little sling type thing, so their neck wasn't bent upwards out of the water if you see what I mean? They didn't actually swim anywhere just the motion of it. If that wasn't what you meant by position, ignore me.
K x
 
Ostrich said:
FFS it is NOT "very very common" in CKCS at all! Jeez I just love generalisations with no substance about breeds :o:o:o
Click to expand...

ffs back to you actually!
I'm a small animal vet with a particular interest in cavaliers, having bred them and having several big Ckcs breeder clients, I think that in this case I do actually know what I'm talking about and am not making generalisations or jumping on bandwagons thank you!
 
Holidays_are_coming said:
It's defo not the brain thing, neck injury was a accident, where he fell and it caused spinal damage but it looks better on x-rays now.

My dad has called to say he has been crying again tonight, both vet and chiro both say swimming would be really bad for him due to the position he would be in.
Click to expand...

if swimming not an option, then do give Nick a try..I wonder if your insurance would cover alternative therapies like accupuncture?you seem to care, so I would say worth a shot...btw when i said swimming, I didn't mean literally,they do offer assisted where the dog is literally floating and no pressure on limbs/spine neck etc hard to visualize unless you've seen it, wouldn't want you to miss an opportunity if there was one tho i appreciate there may not be. Without wishing to sound awful if he is unable to cope with being weightlessly supported in water as 'not swimming' suggests with vet & chiro saying no, then to me that does not sound good. I broke my neck & back (every single vertebra & sternum& spinal chord damage) so am not just trying to throw random bits at you without any appreciation of his injury, my original dr & chiro too did not advise swimming either so I just went & floated(badly) if he's crying it sounds like pinching nerve or some chord damage? that can come & go which would explain your vet not always seeing him in pain when examined(if I read early post right, if i miss read, then sorry)...if that fails, try finding a zoopharmacognosist, one I can recommend is Caroline Ingraham, long shot again, tho you say money is no odds as its insurance & you sound like you are still open to suggestions...so just suggesting!x
 
KellysHeroes said:
I know 2 Cavis we had in with spinal injuries (one had lost use of full back end) when I worked at a canine hydrotherapy place went for their swimming session hooked up to a little sling type thing, so their neck wasn't bent upwards out of the water if you see what I mean? They didn't actually swim anywhere just the motion of it. If that wasn't what you meant by position, ignore me.
K x
Click to expand...

this is what I was trying to ramble about, but not quite as concisely...the sling thingy!no pressure on them at all and you can go in with them in some hydro places they let you swim the dog if dog feels easier with you than the staff:-)x
 
SaharaS said:
this is what I was trying to ramble about, but not quite as concisely...the sling thingy!no pressure on them at all and you can go in with them in some hydro places they let you swim the dog if dog feels easier with you than the staff:-)x
Click to expand...

Yep I cross posted haha.
Yeah they did that where I worked and it worked fab for most dogs who were a little uneasy without their owners :)
K x
 
KellysHeroes said:
Yep I cross posted haha.
Yeah they did that where I worked and it worked fab for most dogs who were a little uneasy without their owners :)
K x
Click to expand...

thank you...I won't sound quite so bonkers now:-)hmm..this is fine for people with nice petite breeds...imagine owners have polar bears with separation anxiety & this particular owner can't actually swim...not so easy...then the owners need hydrotherapy too, but luckily as you say, there is a winch thing to help bedraggled owner out too x

hope he is on the mend very soon and as pain free as poss...please keep us updated x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top