My 14 y/o mini dachsund has been in pain for about a week. I need
something, some therapy, herb, something to reduce her pain. Here is
some info:

Until the last month, she had been a little overweight and in good
health. Then she gradually lost energy and the last few days I have to
carry her outside, and just a bit of walking and peeing will wear her
out. She comes in panting and pacing. She looks to me for HELP and
relief, and I don't know what to do. I "sit with her" for an hour and
she gradually calms down. I may put her on the bed beside me, and stay
with her till she calms and sleeps. Then she will rest for several
hours.

I took her to Vet, thought it might be time to put her to sleep. He
said: no heartworm, listened and said her heart is good, he said her
tongue color looks good too. He thinks...maybe arthritis and
pancreatitis? Gave me some pills: an antibiotic and Rimadyl for pain.
I'm thinking: SURELY there are thousands of dog owners out there who
have seen this same syndrome in dachsunds or mini dox? What is it?
What do they do to relieve the poor dog's pain? Massage? Press on the
vagus nerve? Put her feet in ice water? Something immediate and
helpful, surely.

Does it sound likely that...she would walk in from a short walk in the
yard, immediately begin stressing and panting...from "Arthritis"? or
"pancreatis"? If it actually is arthritis, does applying Castor Oil to
the joints help? Please, reply only with short, and usable advice. Not
postings like "go back to vet and do a big battery of blood tests".
That's no advice at all, and I could figure that out. I'm looking for
replies from common sense folk who have raised dachsunds and seen this
in their own dogs. Thanks.
..

"Spectre3456" wrote in message
oups.com...
My 14 y/o mini dachsund has been in pain for about a week. I need
something, some therapy, herb, something to reduce her pain. Here is
some info:

Until the last month, she had been a little overweight and in good
health. Then she gradually lost energy and the last few days I have to
carry her outside, and just a bit of walking and peeing will wear her
out. She comes in panting and pacing. She looks to me for HELP and
relief, and I don't know what to do. I "sit with her" for an hour and
she gradually calms down. I may put her on the bed beside me, and stay
with her till she calms and sleeps. Then she will rest for several
hours.

I took her to Vet, thought it might be time to put her to sleep. He
said: no heartworm, listened and said her heart is good, he said her
tongue color looks good too. He thinks...maybe arthritis and
pancreatitis? Gave me some pills: an antibiotic and Rimadyl for pain.
I'm thinking: SURELY there are thousands of dog owners out there who
have seen this same syndrome in dachsunds or mini dox? What is it?
What do they do to relieve the poor dog's pain? Massage? Press on the
vagus nerve? Put her feet in ice water? Something immediate and
helpful, surely.

Does it sound likely that...she would walk in from a short walk in the
yard, immediately begin stressing and panting...from "Arthritis"? or
"pancreatis"? If it actually is arthritis, does applying Castor Oil to
the joints help? Please, reply only with short, and usable advice. Not
postings like "go back to vet and do a big battery of blood tests".
That's no advice at all, and I could figure that out. I'm looking for
replies from common sense folk who have raised dachsunds and seen this
in their own dogs. Thanks.

Yes, she could start stressing and panting from arthritis if she's in pain.
Pain makes plenty of dogs pant. Castor oil on the joints doesn't help, but
massage may make her feel better temporarily. It won't alter the course of
the disease.

Carrying extra weight will put more stress on her joints and cause more
pain, so if it's possible to put her on a diet and lose a couple pounds, do
that. Your vet may have a recommendation regarding the best way.

If she has arthritis, the Rimadyl should help with the pain. Read the
precautions and watch for problems, although it doesn't appear to be a
particularly dangerous drug.

flick 100785

If she has arthritis, the Rimadyl should help with the pain. Read the
precautions and watch for problems, although it doesn't appear to be a
particularly dangerous drug.

And in these dogs, back problems are usually not an "if" but a "when". Give
the Rimadyl a week or so, then communicate back with the vet if she/he
doesn't follow up with you first. Sometimes veterinary medicine is a matter
of ruling out the most common/obvious in the first few days until the source
of the pain is narrowed down. If you are extremely concerned, you can opt
for a second opinion at a practice chocked with board certified specialists
or a veterinary teaching hospital. They have all the bells and whistles, but
it may not speed up diagnosis and treatment (but it may), and may be much
more expensive (it definitely will).

Spectre3456 wrote:
My 14 y/o mini dachsund has been in pain for about a week. I need
something, some therapy, herb, something to reduce her pain. Here is
some info:


Did the vet x-ray her? I'm thinking (because of weight, age,
arthritis) pain from her back, maybe narrowing of the spinal
column, slipped disc, ??? My 14 year old chi had an episode of
pain a couple of years ago. In addition to painkillers,
(morphine shot, then Deramaxx pills) the vet prescribed a course
of prednisone. She gradually improved over the course of a
couple of weeks, and hasn't had a recurrence. Meanwhile, we
removed the "steps" that allowed her to jump up and down on the
furniture and put a ramp on the porch steps.

It's one avenue to pursue with the vet, but there could be many
other causes too.

I hope she's better by tomorrow!

FurPaw


--
The Bush legacy - no child left a dime.

To reply, unleash the dog.

"DK" wrote in message
...

Perhaps you should figure it out. There is a huge difference
between arthritis and pancreatitis.

Well, if he could figure it out himself, I'm sure he would have. Hell, why
go to the vet in the first place, huh?

The dog may well have both conditions at the same time.

Treatment is completely different,
so if you are serious about relieving your dog's pain, you can't
rely on pain relief alone for an extended period of time. That's
an equivalent of torturing an animal. Either put to sleep or diagnose
and treat the cause (if that's at all possible).

Pretty harsh. There's no real cure for osteoarthritis (in dogs or in
humans). Pain relief is possible, though. If the dog has osteoarthritis
and the pain is relieved to the extent that the dog's quality of life is
improved and the animal is functioning well, it's nuts to say "either put to
sleep or diagnose."

It's also reasonable to relieve the dog's pain while running through the
various tests to diagnose the problem.

flick 100785