Well, got another call from the Vet today. More bad news. Sammy Diva now also has a bladder infection. How in the heck did she get that. She’s never had one. She has had too many ear infections when I first got her. But bladder? No wonder she’s miserable on top of her hips hurting. 
Before I even knew she had a bladder infection, I was so sad last night, in tears reiki’ng her. I will NOT do well as she gets old. My husband carried her up the stairs again last night. This morning, she woke up at 520am needing to pee. (now I realize its from the bladder infection, not just the side effect of the steroid injection.) Mark was so kind to get up for Sammy. I did hands on reiki on her when I woke up. Then when I went upstairs to get ready for my day (with no Sammy by my side sadly) I sent her reiki hoping that she may appear like yesterday. But no. But a few minutes later as I was blow drying my hair, Mark said, look behind you. There was Sammy, about to give me kisses. Well, if its 3 reiki sessions a day for her, that is what it is going to be.
After the Vet called, I went to get her antibiotics for her bladder infection, baytril which cost a whopping $111.00 and her non steroidals for her hip, rimadyl which was another $65.50. I got the pill pockets, have you ever tried those? They are great. Dogs think they are getting treats (instead of nasty tasting pills). I also picked up some laxatone for Mochi hoping it will help with furballs. (I know, not fun to pick up). Ka-CHING as my friend Candy would say as she only knows too well about spending $$ on our furbabies. Well, its all worth it if I can get Sammy Diva back to her fun loving , laying on her back with legs stretched in the air, saying AH, ah, ah!!!!
Please do research on everything your vet prescribes. Rimadyl can have terrible side effects and there are other prescription drugs that can do the same job. Antibiotics are often needed in cases of infection but be sure to add acidophilus or yogurt to the diet to counter their effects.
The relationship you have with your vet is very important and I’m sure you trust him or her. You may want to research homeopathic care which works gently and slowly to put the body back in balance, solving the root of the problem and allowing the body to heal itself instead of just treating the symptoms. It works vibrationally, much like Reiki, and it costs a lot less than conventional care. There are many homeopathic vets in the US and often they can work with you over the phone if you can’t locate one near you. For more information, click here:
http://innerhealth.us/blog2/about-homeopathy/homeopathy-fact-sheet/
Lastly, talking about ka-ching, I just read an article in (I think) Your Dog, put out by Tufts that they are now doing hip replacements in some dogs who have dysplasia.
Hoping Sammy is feeling better soon!
I lost my very old dog last year after she was given rimadyl. I hope your vet warned you of the side effects to watch for & did the proper blood tests prior to administration of this drug.
The senior pet project has many alternative treatments (& warnings about rimadyl).
Good luck with your sweet dog.
Thank you for your comments. They are much appreciated. Sammy is off the Rimadyl now. They did do blood tests prior. But after hearing everyone’s thoughts, I did more research at the senior pet site – http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html and it scared me to death. I saw the FDA warning which of course set off my “pharmacist” bells. I will never give Sammy Diva Rimadyl again. They should pull it off the market. If it were people dying, they would.