ANSWERS: 2
  • I'm so sorry to hear about you and your dog having this experience...I assume that perhaps you are simply trying to make her comfortable until you have to make the final decision? (as opposed to currently active treatment to try and get it into remission?) I found this site, which unfortunately is addressing the use of this medication from an joint perspective, not cancer pain management. I'll include it just so you can read up on it in general...it does suggest that it comes in 50mg too. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_tramadol.html The main issue is her weight...that's what the Vet is using as the primary factor in dosage. I would suggest that you just call the Vet and update them that you believe this amount at these times is no longer providing enough to manage her pain levels, and why you feel this way...based upon her behaviors, actions, reactions. I'm so sorry, but if you are at a point of just trying to manage her pain...it may be getting close to the time you will have to decide to have her put down, as the best thing for HER. If so, please know you have a ton of animal lovers at Answer Bag...most of us have been though this at least once and most of us multiple times over the years with our own beloved animals...it's never an easy decision to make...it hurts like hell. But, ultimately, it is the most loving thing we can do...when there is nothing else to be done. I go by quality of life. If my dog, cat, horse is simply not having much fun at all every day..then I have to say good by. As long as MOST of the day they are still able to take pleasure in life...little walks, eating, some play..they LOOK HAPPY..then I will wait to make that nasty phone call scheduling the last visit. If they don't look happy much at all anymore, I can't make them stay, just because it breaks my heart to say good by for now. Your dog knows you love her...she has always known. She is NOT afraid of what happens after she is done here, she would only be afraid of another day of pain. She lives in THE MOMENT she is in...all WE can do is to try and be sure each moment is as wonderful, happy and comfortable as it can be. Just remember, you have a whole lot of folks here who will cry along with you when that time comes, you are not alone...and I have faith that your girl will also keep a watch over you too...I believe we do see them again someday. Let us know how BOTH OF YOU are doing.
  • I wrote a very long reply then realized I wasn't registered. I think it is a good idea to ask the vet about upping the Tramadol. My dog has been on it for spinal surgery and the we found out she has metatastic incurable cancer. She's only about 10 lbs and on 15 mg 2x a day. It's so tough because we cannot ask them how they're doing. She is also on prednisone and gabipentin for the spinal surgery and Pepsid because the medications can cause our pups tummy problems. I know that like me we will never come to terms with putting out pups to sleep, but we also know it's not about us. We cannot imagine our pups living in extreme pain. My Neurologist gave me Tylenol 3 as part of the palliative care. He said as of now she's not ready for it. But as her pal I just want her out of pain...still I'll wait. The worse part is Chelsea is beautiful and healty to the eye you would never know she had cancer. Even the Neurologist cried when he said it's going to be tough because she looks so darn cute and healthy. I'm lucky that my doctor not only treats my pup but helps the family. He also took over the palliative care from the Oncologist who just wanted to use my dog as a guinea pig for new medication even though by his own admission she only had a 10 percent chance of slowing the cancer down. I guess I understand his motivation, but Chelsea's my companion and I can't see doing something like that. I have had pets live into their teens but they always died in their sleep without pain. This is just so hard to come to terms with, but like you I know it's all about the pup and I'll do what is right for her. I've been praying to St. Francis, so I'll add your dog to the list. *HUGS*

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