adaquan injection for Dogs-Tuckers life saver!

[jallen3743]

Hi All,
I just wanted to update everyone on Tuckers progression with his leg wounds and his arthritis.
In the last post, I explained that our Vet had me cleaning and dressing Tuckers hind leg sores twice a day with H2O2, packing them with Neosporin and bandaging.
No Antbiotics and Tramadol for pain. After two days and because he was putting more stress on his front legs, Tucker could not walk at all. That was it for me!
I took him to another Vet I had used years ago for my Golden and things drastically changed. He gave him an immediate injection of Amoxicillin, 500 mg BID (twice a day), Packed the wounds with antibiotic and said to leave them alone for three days-then change and an injection of Adaquan for dogs. He does not agree with the Tramadol, but agreed to keep him on it for awhile.
It took four days, but on day 5, Tucker was able to get up on his own and walk the length of the house. We still have to carry him down the stairs to go outside, but once there-he walks!!
I had prepared myself and said my goodbye prior to going to the second vet. I love my dogs dearly, but I also don't want to prolong their pain. The vet said-"No, we could heal the wounds and at least keep some of the arthritis at bay".
I will admit that I was skeptical, but it is working. One wound has healed completely, the second ( because it was to the bone) is healing well, but will take about two months. He had his second injection of Adaquan yesterday and is doing remarkably well. I also supplemented his food with liquid vitamins and fish oil. (thanks to Angie for the suggestion!).
I don't know if anyone has ever used Adaquan Canine, but I am very impressed. It is expensive though, but well worth it. One of articles http://www.caberfeidh.com/Adequan.htm states that it helps to rebuild cartilage naturally. Whatever it does seems to be working and we will have our happy boy around for a little while longer.
Thanks for all the help, support and info.
Jo'Ann
Tucker (13,BC)
Toby(12,BC)

[ajones]

Wow, that is such great news! Good work trusting your own instinct and seeking a second opinion, which has clearly made a world of difference for Tucker and for your whole family! I am so glad to hear the supplements are helping--along, of course, with the new vet's overall treatment plan, including the adequan. I had generally heard of adequan's benefits, but Tucker's experience is a very powerful testimonial to how much it can really help.

Thanks for sharing this positive update, and here's to many more happy days ahead for Tucker!

[kgunther]

That is great news. I know several people who have used Adequan with great success. My mother just started using it for her lab who has some arthritis in his hips. He has only had one injection but she too seems to think it is helping. I am curious about your reference to the cost. My mother is paying $22.00 per injection and her vet said that after the first month, one injection a month should be enough. How does that price compare to what you are paying? I only ask because I have always been amazed at how prices can vary from one vet to another and from one part of the country to the other.

I hope Tucker continues to progress and get better and better each day.

Kristy

[jallen3743]

Thanks for the kind thoughts Angie and Kristy.
In answer to your question Kristy- the Vet charges $35.00 for the visit and $50.00 for the injection each time Tucker has to go. It is very pricey, but he is worth every penny. I think I will have to get a second job though to pay for these visits if it is going to be every week or so. Vet bills for this month have topped 1K. He will have 3 injections in three weeks by next Thursday, so the coffers are getting a little short.
I think I will ask the Vet to let me buy the med. in bulk and I will give it to him myself. I don't like doing the nasty deed, but I have in the past for other animals and it does save a ton of $$.
I am really amazed that the Adequan is working so well. Tucker walked by himself in the yard today and grabbed his ball! I didn't want him to try to run, so, no playing, but he held on to it for dear life. I am hopefully optimistic.
I will let you know how it goes.
Jo'Ann

This was Tucker last week on pain meds

tucker 8 24 10.jpg (39.18 KB) Viewed 1630 times

and this was Tucker yesterday!! Big difference!

tucker feeling better.jpg (29.57 KB) Viewed 1635 times

tucker at dr johnsons.jpg (24.09 KB) Viewed 1638 times

[ajones]

Thanks for sharing the photos of handsome Tucker now! It is just amazing, isn't it, how much difference it can make to find the right treatment for that particular condition at that particular time?

I think your idea to investigate giving the adequan at home is a good plan. I hope your vet will work with you on it--or at least that you can shift to a less frequent routine, like monthly, that will be more financially manageable. I sure know what it's like to have those giant vet-bill months, and a person's budget can only sustain so many of them a year.