Experience with Gabapentin or Deramaxx?

Falada45

I took Arabella in this morning for her 6-month check up. She's turning 15 in March! She's only had two seizures in the past 7 months, which is very good for her.

She's finally to the point where I think she needs something stronger for her arthritis pain. Previously I've only had her on a glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM supplement. The vet gave us Deramaxx combined with Gabapentin to try first. 

Has anyone used this combination to treat arthritis?

dexteroni

We were at this same stage with Dexter last year - he was on Cosequin and Omega 3, and needed something more.  I haven't heard of Gabapentin but I read up on Deramaxx, and it's one of the medications that causes organ damage, so we decided to try a natural/holitic approach instead.  Now he goes for acupuncture and is on Animals Apawthecary's alfalfa/yucca supplement and a much higher dose of Omega 3, in addition to the Cosequin.  They have helped a lot, especially the acupuncture. We also use a heating pad in cold weather, which he seems to like.

I'm not totally against using Deramaxx if he needs something stronger or if we find ourselves in a situation where he's very old and we're just trying to keep him comfortable.  But until then I'd like to stave off any organ damage as long as possible. 

jen812

I didn't know that Deramaxx causes organ damage. Lady was on it for a good 5 years. I don't remember exactly how long, but it was quite a while. She never had any issues with her organs as far as I know. I suppose every dog is different. Good luck.

aggiebug

deramaxx is an nsaid so its in the same famiy as ibuprophen. (but safe for dogs) there was some concern about its effects on liver and kidneys. but honestly the risk is very very low. its about as safe as ibuprohpen is for us. gabapentin is a stronger drug. and usually saved for later after drugs like deramaxx don't work.

NCSmilinAngel

  Zoey has been back and forth between rimadyl and deramaxx (both are pretty much the same thing). She is on rimadyl right now. Both list liver/kidney failure as a possible side effect. I give her two milk thistle capsule's a day (help with liver function) and she gets a blood test done every 6 months to make sure everything is good. I have never heard of gabapentin, though.