itsheresomewhere Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) This really just a complete JAWM vent. Our dog has been limping during the colder months since last year. It goes away when it warms up normally. We were told it was arthritis and to bring her back when it got worse for meds. So it has gotten worse and I made an appointment. I used a new vet as our old vet has priced us out (over 90 just for a visit). The new vet came recommended by several people. First thing he did was harp on her weight. Kept telling me over and over again how overweight she is. Then he tells me what she should weigh in his opinion. It would be on the really low side of healthy for the breed. He tells me that it is probably not arthritis just her weight and recommends a crap diet. He did a lymes test as that could be the only other thing in his mind. It came back as positive and then he declared that was the issue along with the weight. By this time I am done and I just wanted to get home as did the dog. I knew no matter what I said, he was not open to listening. So he gave her antibiotics for the lyme and that was it. Did not give any pain meds as he feels if she loses weight, it will get better.Would not even x-ray the leg as he knew better. So we leave and when I get home, I look up her weight again as I kept thinking that is was not that bad for what is going on. She is a whole 6lbs over ideal for her size. We have been on meds for a week and I don't see any improvement. Poor dog is not happy. She has so much trouble getting up lately. With her breed, cancer is a huge concern so an x-ray should have been done. She is normally a very active dog but slowed down. It could be more age related or due to the arthritis. The dog is not going to exercise until she feels better. I feel she should have least have some pain meds as the baby aspirin can only do so much. Well on the bright side- the new vet that was recommended to me yesterday does not have to do a lymes test on her. Disclaimer- I know obesity is a big issue for animals. Please don't think I am dismissing it nothing. This was the more about on looking at that and not looking a the whole picture. Edited January 14, 2016 by itsheresomewhere 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 The thing I don't get is, if the dog is in pain, why would you NOT prescribe pain meds? If as a human I was suffering from Lyme's disease and was overweight and experiencing chronic, serious pain that made it unpleasant to move, I'd want some effective painkillers before I start exercising. Of course the dog needs pain medication, especially if you want her to exercise to help lose weight. Duh. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tess in the Burbs Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 that would be frustrating. It's kinda like people...they tell us to lose weight/move more, but what if you can't move b/c it hurts?? Sorry he didn't listen to you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalea Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I feel your pain. I like my veterinarian, but he harped on me about my cat's weight at his one year check up. He is a Siberian, which I have read grow until they are five years old, and have a typical weight of 16 - 20 pounds. My cat is 14.5 pounds. I'm not looking forward to getting bitched at by the vet for the next 15 years or so. Makes owning a pet not fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 The thing I don't get is, if the dog is in pain, why would you NOT prescribe pain meds? If as a human I was suffering from Lyme's disease and was overweight and experiencing chronic, serious pain that made it unpleasant to move, I'd want some effective painkillers before I start exercising. Of course the dog needs pain medication, especially if you want her to exercise to help lose weight. Duh. that would be frustrating. It's kinda like people...they tell us to lose weight/move more, but what if you can't move b/c it hurts?? Sorry he didn't listen to you. Yes. Another thing that just was peeving is that this breed has a very interesting thing with lyme. The vet had no clue on it and just blew me off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 I feel your pain. I like my veterinarian, but he harped on me about my cat's weight at his one year check up. He is a Siberian, which I have read grow until they are five years old, and have a typical weight of 16 - 20 pounds. My cat is 14.5 pounds. I'm not looking forward to getting bitched at by the vet for the next 15 years or so. Makes owning a pet not fun. I really get that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) Unless she's a small dog (and I'm guessing not since you say she's "only" six pounds overweight -- that would be a LOT for a small dog) baby/low dose aspirin won't do much of anything to help her. Plus a lot of that is enteric coated, which most studies say dogs can't absorb. You want buffered adult aspirin and cut it to get an appropriate dosage. Bufferin used to be my go-to brand, but it's hard to find. Walgreen's carries a store brand, so that's what I keep on hand now. The dosage range is 5 to 10 mg. per pound of body weight and it can be given every 12 hours. I wouldn't give it for more than a few days unless she's had recent blood work done and you know liver and kidney values are good. (Note I'm not a vet or any sort of animal care professional. I am old enough to remember the days before there were pain medications specifically for dogs and aspirin was widely used. My vet says buffered aspirin is perfectly fine to give short term, and that it's often what he gives his own dogs.) ETA: If you give aspirin make sure to give it with some food to help lessen the chances of GI upset. Edited January 14, 2016 by Pawz4me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 Unless she's a small dog (and I'm guessing not since you say she's "only" six pounds overweight -- that would be a LOT for a small dog) baby/low dose aspirin won't do much of anything to help her. Plus a lot of that is enteric coated, which most studies say dogs can't absorb. You want buffered adult aspirin and cut it to get an appropriate dosage. Bufferin used to be my go-to brand, but it's hard to find. Walgreen's carries a store brand, so that's what I keep on hand now. The dosage range is 5 to 10 mg. per pound of body weight and it can be given every 12 hours. I wouldn't give it for more than a few days unless she's had recent blood work done and you know liver and kidney values are good. (Note I'm not a vet or any sort of animal care professional. I am old enough to remember the days before there were pain medications specifically for dogs and aspirin was widely used. My vet says buffered aspirin is perfectly fine to give short term, and that it's often what he gives his own dogs.) ETA: If you give aspirin make sure to give it with some food to help lessen the chances of GI upset. PM'd you 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I am sorry about your dog. All that I can add is that it will probably need to be on antibiotics for 3 months to really get it to be dormant. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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