Medications used


Ty says:

A safe vet and an educated owner is a dog's best protection.

$4 for 30 tabs Programs


Walmart, Target, Smith's Grocery
  • Prednisone 2.5mg, 5 mg
  • Famotidine 20 mg
  • Tramadol 50 mg
Offerings can change,
call to verify
1. Reduce swelling is the purpose of using anti-inflammatories.
  • Steriods – Prednisone/prednisolone, dexamethasone, methyl prednisolone. (Note: Dex is among the strongest and longest lasting of steroids, may have more adverse side effects related to GI and urinary tract infection than other steroids)
  • NSAIDs Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – Rimadyl, Previcox, Deramaxx and others. (FDA on NSAIDs)
Anti-inflammatories can take a couple of weeks or for some dogs on conservative treatment over a month to relieve swelling.
Caution: Steroids and NSAIDs must not be given together NOR one after the other without a safe washout period of 4-7 days.
2. Pain Medications to give comfort until swelling goes down. Vets have many options in pain medications, dose and frequency to alieviate pain. Often prescribed for IVDD: Tramadol; Muscle Relaxants: Robaxin (Methocarbamol); Valium (Diazepam). Neurontin (Gabapentin) for neuropathic pain that can accompany nervous system disorders such as IVDD. It is generally tolerated and works well in combination with Tramadol.  Acupuncture can also help with pain relief and can be started at any time.
3. Stomach protector. Ask your vet if there is a medical reason your dog may not take Pepcid AC. If there is no reason, we give doxies 5mg Pepcid (famotidine) 30 minutes before the NSAID/ Steroid. Pepcid is generally considered a safe over-the-counter anti-acid for a healthy dog and good insurance. Dogs don't speak up at the first signs of stomach problems like people do. By the time we notice symptoms the problem has headed in a dangerous direction.
 

« Previous | Next »