Question for the Veteranarians on the Board
 

My good old dog Max is 13 1/2 years old. Got him when he was 8 weeks old. Just a mixed breed mutt from the pound. Been healthy all his life, but things have been getting harder for him in the last year. He is mostly deaf, but still happy.

His problem is his hips. Some days it is a struggle for him to get up and around. From a suggestion by a poster on this board I started giving him glucosamine which has helped. Last weekend I had him checked out at the vets and he said Max has arthritis in his hips and has prescribed Metacam 1.5 mg/ml to help Max feel better. And he has. Getting around much better and both of us are happier. Some days he thinks he is a puppy again.

Only problem is that it costs $47 a bottle which looks like it will last less than a month. If that is what it costs to make Max a happy dog I will pay it. But is their a place to get it cheaper or a less costly alternative? Thanks from both me and Max.

Jeez, $47/mo? My wife spends that on meds in a week on a good week. My ***** is starting to get to look that way. I get prescribed 4 things and I buy 2. I like the guy that takes the WalMart 4 buck drug list into the doc's office and says if it's not on this list, don't prescribe it.

Sorry, that's a little OT. Maybe I should start another rant thread.

Check out some pet med sites.

Google it... sometimes you can find pet meds cheaper in Canada.

We've bought stuff from Canadavet.com in the past... here's their listing for it:

http://www.canadavet.com/Metacamoral.cfm

Thanks guys!

take a look at

Myvetsmeds.com....they have Metacam
use them for my critters..good service/fast.

Rika

Metacam is the brand name for Meloxicam.

Meloxicam is on Walmarts $4 generics list.

Check with your vet if you can use the generic.

You likely were told this but if not.. When using Metacam or any of the othere NSAID class meds on your dog you have to occasionally check the liver and kidney function as these can be toxic to these organs.

Have you tried Aspirin? If not, give it a try using either a low dose enteric coated aspirin or Ascriptin which is a brand that has Maalox mixed with it. Always give these meds with some food as any can cause stomach upset.

I personally don't know of a place to get these cheaper as they are all patented, but I might suggest spacing out the dosage a bit and see if that affects the pain relief. It would save money and be easier on the liver, kidney and stomach.

Have YOUR doc write you up a script for Meloxicam.
You look like you've got a little limp there...

Both Max and I thank everyone here that responded! Mark I thought about giving him aspirin, but thought I would wait for one of you docs to weigh in. That silly dog with eat anything if it has cheese wrapped around it!

Hell Dan, I don't have to fake the limp. I look as bad as Max when I first get up in the morning!

Kurt
If you do try aspirin I would suggest you take him off Metacam first .. They should not overlap. Use the Ascriptin brand as I suggested and give him 1/4 to 1/2 tab in the AM with food...depending on Max's size.

Will do. And Thanks! Max says Woof! Well if he was awake that is what he would say.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1239380427.jpg

What a wonderful pic !!

Isn't there some commerical on TV about petmeds.com or something?

I think it's supposed to be prescription pet drugs you can get via mailorder.

In my experience here locally there is no savings on most things by using PetMeds.com and you still need an Rx from you local Vet.... some Vets, I've heard, charge for this.

I'm retired so I have no financial interest either way...

Just throwing out a possible suggestion. :)

had my old Rott's on Rimadyl..
at the Vet. about 100 bucks for 1 month supply
got 3 month supply for about 180..
on some you save/some you don't.
you call in your Rx in..they confirm with Vet. = they ship.

long term..you will save $

Rika

Oh, I understand that but I was just adding my experience to the mix.

Some vets (I always did) price expensive Rx's at less of a profit margin...even near zero at times...and make up some on others that are cheap. In these cases you'll find that the internet sources will save you little over your own vet.

Maybe try Prednisone...it is a streroid but is fairly cheap in generic form.

I just did some reading about that just in case the arthritis doc wants me to take it. I won't. That's some nasty stuff.

It would work but would be my last choice as would any cortico-steroid for this purpose.