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Louie is a beautiful boy! Its so hard to find out that one of our "kids" has a health problem. It sounds like you are doing a great job taking care of him, he is very lucky. I would caution you about the Remadyl. If at any time when he is taking it he starts acting the least bit strange, maybe throws up, has runny stool, or goes off his food, stop the Remadyl and check with your vet. A good friend lost her dog after she had taken it for only a week. You could ask your vet about Traumeel or Zeel http://www.healthypets.com/traumeel.htm ... OgodOEYASA You can do a search online and read more about them. Hope your baby does well.


Laura

maikinda wrote:Louie is a beautiful boy! Its so hard to find out that one of our "kids" has a health problem. It sounds like you are doing a great job taking care of him, he is very lucky. I would caution you about the Remadyl. If at any time when he is taking it he starts acting the least bit strange, maybe throws up, has runny stool, or goes off his food, stop the Remadyl and check with your vet. A good friend lost her dog after she had taken it for only a week. You could ask your vet about Traumeel or Zeel http://www.healthypets.com/traumeel.htm ... OgodOEYASA You can do a search online and read more about them. Hope your baby does well.


Laura

Thank you Laura. Although in my previous post, you'll note I am now having issues with his tail.

But in regards to his hips, he has been benefiting very well from Pet Naturals by Vermont Hip + Joint supplement.

Have you used Traumeel or Zeel for pain? Have you any luck with the product? I am very interested in all natural products and noticed that it is a natural product. Wondering if you need any kind of prescription for it? Gonna look into this...

-Glue

Great to hear that the joint supplement is helping. I do use Traumeel ad Zeel both for my dogs. It is also for people. I always try to look for a natural product. You do not need a prescription for either one of these. Of course you should check with your vet and make sure he is ok with you using it. You might want to print out the information on it and take it in with you. Not all vets are familiar with it unless you are using a homeopathic vet.


Laura

I use Traumeel for Cocoa when her elbow bothers her (although luckily it isn't giving her any trouble this year). I try to stay away from prescription anti-inflammatories whenever I can.

Thanks guys. I think I will give Zeel a try, seeing as its better for osteo and arthritic related pain (and since he has hip dysplasia, this may be a better option).

Also, I am having issues with his tail... Has been chewing at the base of it and I have noticed some redness and a scab or two (not to mention some hair loss from the area). There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it (no bites, wound, ticks, infection, fleas). Maybe a hot spot? Redirected pain (from hips)? Dry skin? It occurs right where the tail curls up to his body. Sometimes he will chase his tail to get at it, or will sit down abruptly to chew or lick it.

I'm thinking about purchasing bitter apple and seeing if when he doesn't bother it does it heal back up. I cleaned the area with a betadine solution yesterday, dried the area, and applied some hydrocortison and it seemed to alleviate some of the need to want to chew it. Also trying the Dermapaw salve to see if that helps naturally.

-sigh-

Has anyone had this issue before?

-Glue

A small update. Louie is doing much better on the Zeel that was recommended by this forum. He has been on it since... December? Acts like a puppy again. Yay! And I've figured out why he bites his tail. Perhaps, an indirect way to deal with the pain from his hips? But no more whimpering.

We've also changed his food to Acana Pacifica back in January which has a lot of joint support.

We have not gone to a specialist yet, but I do want to start him on water therapy and I am wanting to get his shoulders xrayed also. Money has been very tight and I'm currently juggling two (unpaid) internships and a part time job. Busy bees we are!

DrewBear wrote:

gluesticks wrote:I've contacted my pet plan insurance and they have confirmed that they will cover the congenital problem (because it was diagnosed AFTER the plan had been created a year ago) and will reimburse us anything up to $10k for any surgery plans. This in itself is a burden lifter!

That's great news! Would you mind sharing the name of the insurance company?

I'm sorry I never got back to your DrewBear. The pet insurance we have is Petplan. Costs us roughly $450 a year and will cover congenital issues or preexisting ones so long as they are showing clinical signs AFTER insuring with them. Worth it in my eyes. =)

gluesticks wrote:

DrewBear wrote:

gluesticks wrote:I've contacted my pet plan insurance and they have confirmed that they will cover the congenital problem (because it was diagnosed AFTER the plan had been created a year ago) and will reimburse us anything up to $10k for any surgery plans. This in itself is a burden lifter!

That's great news! Would you mind sharing the name of the insurance company?

I'm sorry I never got back to your DrewBear. The pet insurance we have is Petplan. Costs us roughly $450 a year and will cover congenital issues or preexisting ones so long as they are showing clinical signs AFTER insuring with them. Worth it in my eyes. =)

No worries. You actually mentioned the company in another discussion. Petplan was the top choice here: http://www.caninejournal.com/pet-insurance-comparison/ ...So that's what I ended up using also. A bit more expensive based on my location, but definitely worth it for peace of mind. Thanks again for sharing your experience with Petplan. It's reassuring.