My husband and I think my teacup Maltese who is almost 9 months old, found a 200mg pill of Pyridium that my husband must have dropped on the floor. I take it for Interstitial Cystitis. She threw up twice, one right after the other, and got the majority of it out of her system. I’m still expecting to see yellow/orange urine on her puppy pad though. We started researching online to see if we needed to rush to a vet and found some interesting information that made me feel a little better. Some vets actually do use Pyridium and others say ‘no way.’ I read that it’s controversial to give dogs bladder meds that us people use like "glucosamine, Durlactin, pyridium, and urinary antispasmodic tablets containing methylene blue dyes. (They are) sometimes used for either their coating-soothing properties or anti-inflammatory properties." But, why is it controversial? It makes sense for an animal to need these meds for the same reason we need it, but has there really not been enough studies on the dog’s urinary tract system to know? If not, it’s rather embarrassing for researchers… I thought I might run into someone here who can give me more answers. Should I be worried or relieved?
The dye in Pyridium is orange, much like Iodine.
Thank you so much April. I am going to assume that since she is acting fine she is okay. Hubby and I are going to be even more careful than we were before about my meds because I don’t want her eating any of the others. It could possibly kill her so I’m thankful it was only a Pyridium.I won’t know for sure though until I see it in her urine.

She hasn’t peed in over an hour because she took a nap in my lap. I’m just trying to keep her active with plenty of water so she can start to get it through and out her system.

My two dogs are at an age where Glucosamine will be beneficial to them. One dog has a limp once in awhile and the other is slowing down. I went to the Pet Supply to find that Glucosamine for dogs costs + for a bottle of tablets! I get Glucosamine for me at Walmart for . I’ve compared the labels of both and found ZERO difference. I ground some up in my coffee grinder and added it into the dogs’ drinking water and within two days, both are playing and running like 2 year olds again. So I doubt there’s any difference. What do you think? Any vets want to weigh in on this? My vet thinks it’s great and if they don’t have any allergies, just continue.

My 9 month old German Shepherd puppy was diagnosed with Hip Displacia about 3 months ago. From what the Veterinarians tell me, he was practically born with it and there was nothing we could do to prevent it. I have him on Cosequin Glucosamine tablets, which help but I’m trying to find a dry dog food that I can feed him that will give him a double boost of good vitamins and minerals to delay the inevitable hip surgery. I don’t want to give him the surgery until he at least a couple years old because I’ve been told by many Vets it only is guarenteed to last 4-5 years tops. So I figure if I do the surgery to young, he won’t live past 5 and that breaks our hearts. Plus the surgery is extremely expensive and I need to save some major $$$. So I’m looking for a good dry dog food that will also help improve his health so we can give this dog the best quality of life. I am up for anything at this point. If anyone knows of any better pills either, that would be helpful! I’m stationed in Germany right now and the Veterinarians either don’t speak good English, or are unqualified American Veterinarians that don’t know anything about prevention and treatment for this disease. So I’m stuck! Thanks for any info! It would be great if there were people out there who are Veterinarians who could answer this question so at least I know I’m not going to hurt my dog. Any answer I get I will follow up with my puppy’s regular Vet, just in case. Thanks!

I was wondering if any1 can point me in the right direction for some holistic care for my very special dog.
Ok, my dog is 7y/o and I have recently seen her getting stiff–limping after hiking in the woods or after she’s asleep for awhile. I did get a veterinarian diagnosis…pain meds, and glucosamine. I have started feeding her dog food w/ glucosamine in it, actually its "large breed 50+lbs" my dog weighs about 55bs.
But, I don’t want to cover her problem up with a dose of pain meds, so I declined the pain meds from the vet. -she doesnt seem to be in pain, more like stiff. If need arises I will put her on some but I want to do more for her.
I don’t have holistic vets in my area, and when I asked my vet about holistic care..he gave me a strange look.

I was hoping to get some answers from some of you that are treating your dog with holistic care.
What type of products do you use/reccomed? and do you see the benefits from it?
Can you link me to your favorite holistic web site?
Anything else you would like to add about your experiences with your "stiff" dog and holistic care?

I know this product is not holistic, what do you think of them?
Glyco Flex II -soft chews http://www.entirelypets.com/glyco2soft120.html

Here is a pic of my cute Rae-Rae
http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view/13/480926465/Snowy_Daze/100_7396.jpg.html
and one more…
http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view/13/480926465/Views_from_a_Wolf_Dog_001/creekerz.jpg.html

Thanks.

I WILL NOT EVER GIVE MY DOG IBUPROFEN….That will KILL my dog..if I wanted pain management then I would get previcox or other similar product.

PS..Jonsey Buffered Asprin is the ONLY human pain med that can be used on dogs.