My 5 year old rescued male shih tzu has been miserable for about 2 months now with worsening symptoms. He’s got allergies and has been generally uncomfortable. He has very poor conformation up front (legs as crooked as my vet’s ever seen) and his back is way long (like a dachsund) so he is just setup perfectly for pain!

Let me preface the treatment plan by saying, I started the meds yesterday and I’m not kidding… he made it on his walk this morning for the first time in a month. Recently he would lay down after only 1/4 mile and I’d have to carry him home.

DRUGS:
Zyrtec 5 mg twice a day
Rimadyl 25 mg twice a day
Cosequin DS 1 capsule per day

He feels that the zyrtec is very, very safe and effective for treating allergies without drowsiness. As for the Rimadyl, I’m a bit more concerned about this drug given its assoc w/ kidney problems. He said we won’t use it long term but just for now to calm things down.

Opinions?
What should I watch for as reaction to Rimadyl?
Wow, such great answers already! Just as a side note. I also switched my baby to Canidae lamb & rice formula dry food just a few days ago. I am told this is a better food, so hopefully will help him. He is my angel!

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I was in the hospital for 2 days, had 2 cat scans, some drugs throughout the stay, and a stent inserted into me. That was all I had and i got a ,000 bill, this doesn’t seem right to me just from comparing what others have had done to them and their cost. I also dont have health insurance because I cant afford it.

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I am having lower back pains and I’m starting to worry. I’m prone to kidney stones. I had 6 of them in May of 2005, and I actually went septic from them blocking my urter. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and I had to have 3 seprate surgeries and a stint put in my back. I am 9 weeks pregnant, and my ob/gyn made me stop taking prenatal vitamins due to the calcium in them. I am 6’1" and I have a condition that I over produce calcium anyway. Im really nervous about getting them during pregnancy. Has anyone had them and what did they do to help with the pain? I am deathly allergic to codene and most of the drugs related to it. Any body know anything on the subject?

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I woke up last friday in horrible pain and went to the E.R. and they told me is was just a muscle spasm. They gave me some muscle relaxers and sent me on my way. Monday rolls around and I am still in agonizing pain so I went to the doctor. She said that it had nothing to do with my back and that I have kidney stones. They want me to try and pass them first, so they have loaded me up on percocet and have me drinking a lot of water. How long do kidney stones usually take to pass? Even on drugs it still huts.

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I get Kidney Stones. I’m a 24 year old female. My first stone was when I was 18 years old. I believe in the left kidney, if I am remembering correctly. If anyone reading this has ever had them, then you know they’re excruciating! At that time, I had insurance (I live in the state of PA so I was covered under some PA insurance for children called CHIP.) so, I went to the local ER. Determined I had one small stone. It was a couple millimeters. They said to drink TONS of water and try to catch it, and gave me Percocet for the pain. I ended up passing the stone after about 2 days. But, was unable to catch it, so I don’t know what causes my stones. I currently have no health insurance and no money to pay for doctors and such, and visits to the ER are very expensive here.

Back in December I got the same pain I get from a Kidney Stone in my right kidney. Went to the ER, they didn’t do much for me, since I have no way to pay. They give you very minimal treatment if you can’t pay. They basically just gave me a prescription for Vicodin and 800mg of Ibuprofen tablets. I had pain off and on for about a week, eventually, it just stopped. I never did pass the stone though, I’m sure of that. Then about a week ago, I started getting really bad pain in my left kidney. So, I guess I have a new stone in there. I had some Vicodin left from December. But, I used all that. Now all I have is the Ibuprofen. It doesn’t really work. I should go to the ER when I get pain again, but I am tired of racking up huge bills that I can’t pay. Not to mention, they usually just give Vicodin for the pain (which no longer works on me) and if I ask for something else it might just look like I only want the drugs. So, I’m trying not to go to the ER unless I really have to. Thankfully, today has been pain free. I hope it stays that way. But, I’m sure I didn’t pass the stone. As far as I know, I have at least one in each kidney.

So, what I am wondering, does anyone know any real (and SAFE) natural remedies that can help break up/dissolve kidney stones? I’ve been reading up online about all this stuff, I read that Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with some warm water is supposed to help certain kinds of kidney stones. I don’t know what mine are from though or if the ACV solution will help. But, I started trying it last night. I also read Lemon Juice with Olive Oil helps, but there is no way I am trying that one. That sounds horrible. I am just barely managing the ACV. I also read Lemon Juice with water helps. I might be able to try that one. They’re the only ones I know though.

So, please, if anyone knows any other safe, natural home remedies I can try that would help break up/dissolve my stones, that’d be great. Also, for those familiar with the remedies I already mentioned, does anyone know if they’re good for all kinds of kidney stones? Or, only certain kinds? And, which kinds are these remedies good for? Sorry for this being so long and informational, I just wanted to be as specific as possible about my history in case it helps. I’m just desperate to try to get rid of these stones and get some relief. Please, honest and thoughtful answers only!

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