Jump to content

Getting Dog To Take Medication


Brookestar
 Share

Recommended Posts

I have a dog who is terminally ill, with lumbosacral disease, but also very stable at the moment providing I can get the pain medications into her. With the medications she is able to go for walks of about 15 - 20 minutes every day and continue to play with toys. Without them, I will need to euthanize her. She is a Labrador, so this really should be simple, and always has been in the past. Previously a small amount of vegemite was all that was needed. Now it is all beyond me. I have tried heated up roast chicken, eats around it, tried heated up and raw chicken mince, eats around it, tried yogurt, eats around it. Tried putting it between liver treats, walks away. Trying to shove them down her throat has resulted in her simply not being willing to come near me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is an excellent thread about this... I will try to find it and bump it unless someone else does first.

You have my sincere empathy. I've been there, and it's like someone has stabbed you with a knife and is twisting it. :(

Here we go: http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/266198-i-am-an-expert-on-giving-meds/page__p__6798868__hl__nutrigel__fromsearch__1#entry6798868

Also

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/267236-how-to-pill-when-it-gets-difficult-and-they-know-all-your-tricks/page__fromsearch__1

Edited by Papillon Kisses
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A specialist may be able to offer alternatives. In some cases of LS disease it is possible to do a steroid epidural to help keep them comfy. Apologies if you already knew about this option.

Some meds can be dissolved in water allowing you to syringe them in. Others can be compounded into liquid form in different flavours. Chat to your vet about options.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is also a game that you can begin to play each day about getting a special yummy treat. For a while don't put a tablet in there but do rapid fire fun treats and make it a big squealing game of fun and excitement. The aim is that you get them not tasting the treats because the emotional heigh of the 'event' that happens at the same time every single day is more important than the treat itself. I have used this with cats to train them to take pills without noticing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A specialist may be able to offer alternatives. In some cases of LS disease it is possible to do a steroid epidural to help keep them comfy. Apologies if you already knew about this option.

Some meds can be dissolved in water allowing you to syringe them in. Others can be compounded into liquid form in different flavours. Chat to your vet about options.

She has had two epidural steroids, the 1st one made a huge difference, the last one did nothing, that was 12 months ago, I was told by the specialist that because it didn't work, she probably would not make it to the end of the year! Not showing any signs of giving up yet, 12 months later. She has been on the maximum dose of gabapentin the only medication to assist with nerve pain for over 6 months, so I am on the final stretch.

She is having acupuncture every week, with a veterinary acupuncturist, which makes the world of difference. She is also on a range of Chinese medicine supplements, by a vet who specialises in this stuff, and when I missed them for a week I also noticed a huge decline, so I am now convinced they work. We did consult with an animal physiotherapist for a while, but it got to the point that their was nothing else they could offer.

I have spoken to her usual vet, and compounding has been mentioned, but the costs are something I really want to avoid.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For tablets, I make mince balls, sort of rum ball size with the tablet in the middle. I find they tend to pick up and pretty much swallow as they are bite size. I just toss them before meals, when dogs are expecting food. My westie will eat around anything in his dish, so I had to find something that got them down the hatch. As a last resort I just put them in, but he gets wary as well, so I prefer not to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Amentadine is another nerve pain medication that can be used in conjunction with gabapentin- but almost unheard of in AUS. Also look at pre-gablin instead of gabapentin. As you increase the dose of gaba the availability decreases so you get less bang for you buck. Pre-gablin is more reliably absorbed.

Happy to give info to your vet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There is also a game that you can begin to play each day about getting a special yummy treat. For a while don't put a tablet in there but do rapid fire fun treats and make it a big squealing game of fun and excitement. The aim is that you get them not tasting the treats because the emotional heigh of the 'event' that happens at the same time every single day is more important than the treat itself. I have used this with cats to train them to take pills without noticing.

The other day one of Malcolm's capsules dropped into my open hand in front of him as I was trying to roll it in mince. He inhaled it without thinking and looked at me for more. :laugh: This is without playing the game as such, he just knows he gets his mince balls at particular times each day.

--

Brookestar, on the cost front have you called different compounding chemists to find out their prices or checked out online chemists (they must be Aus chemists with Aus registered products)? You may find one that is cheaper than the rest. I have one such chemist but I'm in Sydney, PM me if you'd like their details as they may be able to post it. Compounding chemists can make it into beef or chicken flavoured liquid too. Apparently dogs tend to love the chicken, mine would lick it straight off the spoon!

For all these options you'll still need a script from the vet and they may charge a fee for the work writing it (calculating doses etc) but you may still end up in front.

Here are some online chemists:

http://www.theanimalpharmacy.com.au/

https://www.petscripts.com.au/

http://www.petceutics.com.au/

https://www.ovedshorseandpetstore.com.au/

http://www.petguardians.com.au/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...