Pet meds production stoppage - help!

[vacation1]

Apparently, this is very old news - from January - but my vet only mentioned it today, when I called to reorder Deramaxx, the NSAID that keeps the dog’s arthritis pain under control. Novartis, the makers, shut down the factory that produces it (for a series of human med recalls) and to date has not said when they’ll be shipping again. So now my vet’s out. Most patients are apparently being switched over to another NSAID, but the vet reccomends my little delicate flower stay on Deramaxx (dog had 3 life-threatening crises last year, which makes us leery of changing anything that seems to be working).

So I either call around to other vets or order online. 1800PetMeds and PetDepot both seem to be out, though. I really wish my vet’s office had mentioned this a few months ago, I would have stocked up… Anyway. Any ideas for reputable online sources? Any ideas about the alternatives? The standard switch at my vet seems to be X time on Tramadol (to prevent pain) and then start on Rimadyl (alternative NSAID). I foresee a vet visit in our future, just to discuss the options. Gah, I hate having to change things up when she seems to be doing well.

I realize this was somewhat of a long, panicky vent, so TIA for advice and please feel free to join in the cursing of Novartis.

[Marshfield]

I’d try Smartpak as a start.

[SquishTheBunny]

Tramadol has VERY few side effects compared to NSAIDS. Maybe you could try tramadol with a low dose other NSAID (rimadyl, metacam, previcox).

Previcox is the “closest” to dermaxx in terms of medical ingredients, but this doesnt mean it will be the best choice for your dog. I would think if you kept dosages low enough your dog will be fine.

What is exacty wrong with your dog, and what have his previous crises been?

[LauraKY]

You need a washout period when switching to a different NSAID. A combo of Metacam and Tramodol worked very well for a time with my senior collie.

You might want to try calling around to other vets to see if they still have some in stock. They can’t sell it to you without examining your pet, but I would imagine they could sell it with a prescription from your vet. It’s worth asking.

[vacation1]

Smart Pack is out. Another vet hospital had some and my vet gave me a prescription, so I’ll be able to cover the next couple of months, anyway. The dog has arthritis - one of the crises last year was a flare-up where she could barely walk. The other two emergencies were a cancer scare that ended in a tumor-removal surgery, and a gastrointestinal issue that started a slippery slope situation where her stomach couldn’t handle the Deramaxx and then the arthritis became extremely painful because she didn’t have the Deramaxx. She’s a hardy little girl, but 2011 was not an easy year and I’m not anxious to repeat that run of bad times. Argh. Thanks for the advice, and one more question - is buying pet medication online safe? I’ve always vaguely assumed it’s potentially risky, but never really looked into it.

[tradewind]

Tramadol lowers the seizure threshold, so should not be given to dogs with a history of seizures.

[LauraKY]

Try Target. I understand that many of them still have Interceptor in stock, so maybe you’ll get lucky. My Kroger carries pet meds as well…so check around with people pharmacies. You’ll just need a prescription if they have it.

[SuckerForHorses]

Vacation1 - I just sent you a PM.

[bdj]

SmartPak ran out a while ago, as did Foster&Smith, and all of my other “regular” sources. My big guy was on Deramaxx, and we just missed the last of it that 1-800-pet-meds had, too. So I talked to my vet, and she said we could just switch him straight over to Previcoxx (since the two are pretty closely related). She did warn that we could have some digestive issues, and since the Big Black Dog is pretty elderly, I asked if we could do a wash out week’s worth of Tramadol before starting up the Previcoxx - she was totally OK with it (Big Black Dog doesn’t have a history of seizures) and gave me enough to get through a week (and more). Don’t think the tramadol helped him very much, but he’s been on the Previcoxx for 2 weeks now, and seems to be doing pretty well (at least as well as he was doing on the Deramaxx).

[betsyk]

We’ve just gone through the same thing. We switched to Metacam (sp?) and she’s doing at least as well and maybe a little better. 60 lb, 14-y-o lab mix with arthritis and cruciate problems.

She was a little sad for the few days she was off Deramaxx and before she could start Metacam. Tramadol wasn’t quite enough.

[Canaqua]

Our arthritic ACD mix is on Previcox and doing well on it.

On the Novartis issue…I spoke to a pharmacist recently about the disappearance of one of my human meds (not the recalled one). They are telling the pharmacies it will be mid-July before things are expected to be back online.