[Ania's Mommy]

I have a friend with an 8 year old rottie mix (named Avy) who recently tore her ACL. The surgery to fix it will require a 4 month recovery period along with therapy. On top of that, the vet said that Avy also has bad hips and it might be best to put her down. My friend, understandably, wants to do what she can to help the situation.

My friend is now willing to start a raw diet, and has asked for my help in getting started. I told her that while raw is the best thing she can do, that she should not expect any miracles at this advanced stage.

She started this morning with a chicken leg quarter. Avy did not eat it. So I suggested she do the tough love method.

Then my friend told me that she has Avy on pain meds for the torn ACL. Through our bad cell phone connection, I believe she said that the name of the medication was Duramax (isn't that a diesel engine?).

Soooo..... Should a dog on pain medication be deprived of food? Is starting a raw diet at this stage even a good idea?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[DaneMama]

Depends on the dog. Deranaxx is the brand of pain meds and it typically doesn't make dogs sick to their stomach. But I'm sure there are dogs that can get upset tummies from it. How long ago was the surgery?

 

[Ania's Mommy]

She hasn't had the surgery yet. We're working on raising money for it. I believe that the meds were prescribed because she is currently in pain from the tear.

 

[DaneMama]

I would go ahead and give the tough life approach a try...

 

[Ania's Mommy]

Will do. Thanks Natalie!

 

[Eurobox]

I would recommend that her dog eat with the pain medicine. I am not familiar with that exact brand, but my older male is on a pain medicine for his knees and the meds can cause ulcers in his stomach without food.

I would also ask if they put the dog under and did x-rays. My dog was also "diagnosed" with a torn ACL. My vet was willing to do the surgery the next day. I opted to go home and research the surgery options online. It turns out my vet was going to do the surery for much smaller lighter weight dogs, so I asked for a referral to a specialist. I am so glad I did. The specialist told me that you cannot diagnose a torn ACL without putting the dog under and doing x-rays. Turns out my male had arthritis in his knees.

Had I followed my "previous" vets advice, my dog would have been cut open for no reason. I would just ask how they diagnosed the tear just to be sure. I wish her luck, and I'm sure the others can speak up more about the raw.

 

[Eurobox]

Oh I almost forgot... A glucosamine & chondroitin supplement would help too! :smile:

 

[Ania's Mommy]

Thanks, Eurobox.

Because of the diagnosis, my friend has decided to start a raw diet. Sometimes, when switching a dog to raw (especially older dogs), they take a bit to catch on that they are supposed to EAT that raw piece of chicken you threw in front of them. They have been told their whole life, "No! You can't have that!", and all of a sudden it's ok? Also, they may be unsure of HOW to eat it. LOL!

I will definitely ask my friend if she had the ex-ray done. Thanks for letting me know your story!

I have also told her that chicken feet are a fantastic natural source of glucosamine/condroitin. Which leads me to my next question....

How long until she can start feeding chicken feet? In my mind, they are very simalar to chicken backs/CLQ's. Boney chicken. So, wouldn't it be okay to start feeding it now? I mean, once Avy decides to eat?

 

[malluver1005]

How long until she can start feeding chicken feet? In my mind, they are very simalar to chicken backs/CLQ's. Boney chicken. So, wouldn't it be okay to start feeding it now? I mean, once Avy decides to eat?

I see no problem in starting right away. I would. :smile: