The Shar-Pei Forums-Health Behavior Diet & Rescue Info and Discussion Group

My aussie had a round cell tumor removed from his side today, 17 stitches. The medication sent home with him is called Previcox, one tablet per day, 4 days dose. It is supposed to be an anti-inflammatory and supposed help to keep him calmer so he is less active. I asked for something safe.

Blood work link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/wanderslion/TobyBloodWork01142011?authkey=Gv1sRgCPminq3a0L_aBw#

I've done some looking on the internet about this medication and of course there are horror stories. So I am concerned.

Surgery was this morning, no real appetite. Tries to spit up periodically. Only clear spit comes out. He's just had a bit of boiled hamburger as he is not interested in his dog food.

Does anyone know, is this previcox relatively safe?
Could I accomplish the same thing with benedryl and tylenol? If so, he is 72 lbs - how would I dose?

Also - no elizabethian collar was sent home. It was suggested that we use a t-shirt but that is not working. Didn't think he would be able to reach the location but he can and he is using his back leg trying to scratch. I believe I can dig a regular e collar out of the basement if I have to - had hoped to pick up a foam one but they are more than I care to spend for 10 days use.

Any ideas to stop him from using his back legs?

Just an update as I have been gone for awhile.
Work is swamped. Hoping to see things level out at work in February.
My rescue pei mix (Punkin) who has so many problems continues to try very hard. She has a long way to go but still prefers to stay away from people. I doubt she will ever be a 'normal' dog but she's happy and healthy.

I brought home a 5 lb, 8 week old cairn, schnauzer mix this last weekend. Total confidence. Lots of play - appears to be an excellent pup - Marley Finnigan. So far he has been very good for Punkin. Sometimes she is afraid of him. More often they run and play. Her curiosity seems to overcome her fears and that is in part what I am looking for him to do.

Any help or ideas on my above two questions would be greatly appreciated.

Lauren

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Lauren

poor love, hope he feels better soon! we don't usually send previcox home as an after surgery med...we use that more for arthritis/sore leg stuff. we send home tramadol for pain and sometimes vetprofen (carprofen) to use together. we haven't had any issues with general use for previcox that i'm aware of, most of our geriatric patients do well on it.

our proticol for after surgery care is once theyre home offer them a small amount of water, after a while offer them 1/4-1/2 of a normal meal. if they can keep that down for an hour or so they probably wont vomit, but if they vomit the water or food we request that both be withheld until the morning. try again in the am and see how they do. if they continue to vomit/have issues, call your vet.

an e-collar would be wise to use to keep him from licking/chewing, you could put a sock or some such on his back foot to help pad the foot but unless you are watching over him, keeping him from scratching will be tricky =/ good luck and keep us posted! smoochies from harrison and lucy!

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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
--Ghandi

Im not a fan of Previcox...one of my clients had her older pei on it for arthritis and it caused renal issues. I got her to switch to bromelain, HyVitality, concentrated Omega 3 fish oil (all natural anti-inflammatories) and now all she needs is a Tramadol (regular pain pill) on rare occassions and her renal issues are much improved.

Dont know much about it in short term use but at least they didnt give Rimadyl. Personally I usually ask for metacam & tramodol for post-op pain/inflammation. Metacam is same class of drug (NSAID) but milder and (IMO) safer.

Not sure what to advise on him scratching with back legs except to intervene when he does and maybe cover the incision with whatever you can. A t-shirt and boys undies or boxer shorts (worn backwards so tail can go thru fly) and then maybe tuck the t-shirt into the shorts or safety pin it...should cover whole area.

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Blessing's CSP
http://blessingssharpei.com

Thanks much for the replies. Just spoke with the vet.

I think we came to a better arrangement.
Tramadol, low dose combined with topical neosporine containing pain relief.

She said I could add benadryl with the tramadol if I felt it necessary.
Warm compresses on the site seem to help him.

At least a search on tramadol didn't bring up the possible problems of previcox.

Hoping that by keeping a cream on the site - even Vaseline will help as the wound heals and starts to dry and pull.

Thanks again.

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Lauren

Tramadol is an entirely different class of meds...it is a synthetic opiate (pain reliever) and not an anti-inflamatory.

Oh and BTW (from post above) never give Tylenol. Asprin can be given but not Tylenol.

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Blessing's CSP
http://blessingssharpei.com

I did not have an opportunity to speak with the vet when I picked him up post surgery.

The clinic had done Previcox feeling he may need an anti-inflammatory as well as the pain relief. They knew I had said no Rimadyl.

Today's conversation was direct with the vet & helped much more. As did the forum comments - thanks for being there.

The site is obviously sore but looks very good. A much larger incision than I expected. After talking, she decided that we only need availability to pain relief and something to keep the site in check and in good condition as it heals. For the most part, to help keep him away from it as much as possible.

This is a fairly new vet for me. She has done wonders with my springers ears. I fought problems through the
prior vet for several years and tons of money. Problem solved now (knock on wood).

The clinic is rather large and I think we just need to connect directly, create more of a relationship and get a couple experienced vet techs on board with my four.

Quite right about the Tylenol. Thanks for catching that - my mistake in writing.

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Lauren

glad you were able to get it re-situated. tramadol works well, hopefully he will be more comfortable and heal quickly.

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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
--Ghandi

Best wishes and hope he is on the mend! What a crew you have there!

Some days - you know? Went to Walmart to pick up the tramadol. The vet put Monday's date on the script. Pharmacist said she tried calling the clinic but no answer - closed.

Long story short we tried calling the emergency hospital who offered to help - come to the clinic, pay 89.00 - no thanks.
The emergency clinic did call back and commented that they are receiving many warnings about Previcox. I'll let my vet know.

Through this I remembered that I have Arnica montana in the house. He has neosporine cream with pain assist on the wound and Arnica montana in his tummy.

Must be working, he's in his t-shirt, trying to run and play far too much at the moment.
Punkin is in one of her 'I'm not afraid moods' so the three of them are chasing in the house while Toby is being scolded to be quieter.

Looks like all is under control

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Lauren

*facepalm* why would they put MONDAYS date on the rx??? hope that was written error............................im glad to hear he has some sort of relief, glad he seems to be doing better! hard to keep a good boy down

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"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
--Ghandi

I emailed the vets office Saturday about the prescription problem and received a call from Toby's vet on Sunday.
Due to the course I ended up taking and Toby's response, we decided to continue with Arnica montana and topical neosporine.

He has truly seemed oblivious to the fact that he has 17 stitches in his side and if left to his own devices has been running and playing with the others since surgery. He has to be hurting but there is no dispute, he is doing great!

Oddly cytology results were back today. I thought very quick since I had been told 10 - 14 days - gosh I certainly hope not another error. Results are plasmacytoma, benign. Additional comment from the vet was that they did get all of the tissue excised - nothing left so the possibility of further problems should be minuscule.

Looking on the net this does seem to be the case with the exception that I should monitor his body for changes. This will come from grooming and his periodic massages.

We now have a supply of tramadol in the house for those 'just in cases'.

Thanks again for the well heeded advice. Let me know should I have missed anything.

Thanks again all.

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Lauren

That's GOOD news!!!!