Don t let arthritis slow down your dog!

Transcription

1 Don t let arthritis slow down your dog! abcd DOG CAT ACUTE CHRONIC PERIOPERATIVE INJECTABLE ORAL SUSPENSION CHEWABLE

2 Keeping your dog in the prime of life Is your dog at risk of developing arthritis? As your dog ages, various health problems can arise. Arthritis in your dog may go unnoticed or develop slowly over time. METACAM is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. The development of METACAM has enabled dogs worldwide to live longer and more comfortable lives. One of the most common causes of impaired mobility is arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition causing degeneration of the joints. As arthritis worsens, movement becomes increasingly more painful for dogs. Bones and joints most commonly affected are the hips, knees, elbows, shoulders and spine. Hip with severe arthritis Normal hip Factors that can contribute to the development of arthritis include: Injury Being overweight Overly vigorous physical activities Normal aging Inherited developmental abnormalities of the bones and joints

3 Recognizing pain can be difficult Learning to recognize the signs of pain is the first step in treatment for your arthritic dog. Individual dogs exhibit pain differently, and often may try to hide their pain. Dogs seldom complain until they are in extreme discomfort. Early treatment of pain and inflammation helps control the progression of arthritis and allows your dog to remain comfortable longer. Recognizing Pain in Your Dog ABNORMAL POSTURE: Prefers lying to sitting or standing Shifting frequently VOCALIZING: Crying/whining None, when they normally would ABNORMAL GAIT: Limping Stiffness, particularly after resting Sitting or resting in abnormal position Trouble getting up from laying or seated position Lagging behind or tiring easily during walks BREATHING: Panting excessively ACTIVITY: No longer able to do the things he/she used to Reluctance to go for walks/climb stairs Restless Shivering/trembling RESPONSIVENESS: Cries or tries to bite when handled Withdrawn APPETITE: Changed GROOMING: Licking or chewing in one area Doesn t respond in situations that he/she used to If you have placed a checkmark beside any of the above behaviours, your dog may be in pain. Discuss these signs with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action.

4 Why METACAM and not a human pain control medication? (ASA, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc) Treatment of arthritis is aimed at reducing pain and stiffness thus improving quality of life. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID s) are commonly used to treat arthritis in people and dogs. There are many different NSAID s available today, ASA may be the most well-known for use in people, but is not approved for use in dogs. ASA may cause stomach upset and irritation to the intestines which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and possibly more serious side effects. Because dogs are more sensitive to NSAID s than people, METACAM was developed with the specific needs of the dog in mind. METACAM and your dog METACAM is a NSAID for dogs which targets pain and inflammation while minimizing side effects in the internal organs METACAM has been developed, researched and tested specifically for dogs METACAM has benefited millions of dogs worldwide 1 If your pet is on METACAM, it should not receive an additional NSAID. METACAM is the #1 NSAID for dogs in Canada 1 METACAM may not be suitable for all dogs. Existing medical disorders, other medications and individual tolerance differences may be contraindications to the use of certain drugs. It is important to discuss these and the potential side effects of any medication with your veterinarian prior to use. In prolonged use situations, your veterinarian may recommend periodic health monitoring of your pet. If any side effects do occur, discontinue use of the drug and consult your veterinarian. areas where METACAM is most active areas where minimal activity occurs to protect internal organs

5 METACAM Oral Suspension and Chewable Tablets for Dogs easy solutions for pain METACAM Oral Suspension for Dogs is a palatable honey flavoured liquid that can be dispensed directly into your dog s mouth or on their food. METACAM Chewable Tablets for Dogs are also available as an alternative to the liquid. Accurate, Exact Dosing the liquid dosing format allows your veterinarian to prescribe a dose to treat your dog s exact needs The chewable tablet formulation can be used short or long-term. Tablets are chewable and can be easily be split in half. EASY ONCE-A-DAY DOSING Lean Body Weight It is important to determine if your dog is at its ideal weight. Please discuss this with your veterinarian as the dosage of METACAM may need to be adjusted accordingly. For Small Dogs The METACAM bottle is a calibrated dropper bottle. Administer two drops per kilogram of lean body weight on your dog s food or directly into your dog s mouth (at meal time). OPTIMAL DOSING Once clinical signs are controlled, downward dose titration of METACAM may be a possibility under the supervision of your veterinarian. SPEAK TO YOUR VETERINARIAN TO SEE IF DOSE TITRATION IS RIGHT FOR YOUR DOG. Shake well before administering medication. For Large Dogs Use the syringe supplied with the METACAM bottle. This syringe fits directly onto the METACAM bottle and is calibrated in kilograms. Draw up the appropriate amount of METACAM into the syringe, based on the dose prescribed by your veterinarian and dispense on your dog s food or directly into your dog s mouth. For chewable tablets - follow the dose instructions given by your veterinarian.

6 The team METACAM, your veterinarian, your pet and you! Don t let your dog over-do it! It is important to remember that arthritis is a life long condition. Daily treatment with METACAM helps to control the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Keeping this in mind, METACAM is one part of the solution. It is recommended to work with your veterinarian to help you determine the best ways to manage your dog s arthritis. These may include: A suitable exercise program Controlling your dog s weight develop a dietary plan with your veterinarian joint problems are aggravated by excess weight Ensuring a comfortable living environment Managing concurrent medical problems Additional physical therapy options Tender loving care! Once you administer METACAM you may notice an increase in your dog s activity level due to the alleviation of pain. At the same time, it is important to take into account your dog s ongoing condition. Remember, arthritis doesn t disappear when the signs do! Please keep the following in mind: Your dog may have lost muscle tone with inactivity due to pain from arthritis. Exercise must be increased slowly in order to rebuild muscle mass Ongoing, regular use of METACAM helps to prevent the return of the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis

7 Easy to administer options HONEY FLAVOURED ORAL SUSPENSION FOR DOGS 10 ml, 32 ml, 100 ml, 180 ml ) Shake well! 2) Fit syringe over Metacam bottle. Turn bottle upside down. 3) Pull plunger back to the corresponding body weight 4 5 For large dogs For small dogs 4) Twist bottle & syringe in opposite directions & pull apart 5) Empty dosage over food or directly in your pet s mouth BEEF FLAVOURED CHEWABLE TABLETS FOR DOGS 1.0 and 2.5 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs. Blister packs of 84 tablets. Use as directed by your veterinarian. Metacam chewable tablets can be given with our without food. 1. Data on file. Metacam is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH. BI969 CLINIC CONTACT INFORMATION