Do animals experience peripheral neuropathy as a side effect from chemotherapy the same way as humans do?
- We often load our patients up on Tramadol, Rimadyl, Fentanyl patches, Gabapentin, or similar, but are we missing out on treating possible numbness?
- One of the treatments given in human medicine to treat this problem is Amitriptyline. Do we give this to our animal pals as well?
- How can you tell if an animal is in pain or in discomfort due to that annoying “pins and needles” feeling?
Do animals experience peripheral neuropathy as a side effect from chemotherapy the same way as humans do?
- We often load our patients up on Tramadol, Rimadyl, Fentanyl patches, Gabapentin, or similar, but are we missing out on treating possible numbness?
- One of the treatments given in human medicine to treat this problem is Amitriptyline. Do we give this to our animal pals as well?
- How can you tell if an animal is in pain or in discomfort due to that annoying “pins and needles” feeling?
Comments
Boy tough Q there sonogirl.
Boy tough Q there sonogirl. Peter? Remo?
Boy tough Q there sonogirl.
Boy tough Q there sonogirl. Peter? Remo?
Hi Sonogirl –
I know that
Hi Sonogirl –
I know that the TCAs, of which amitriptylline is one, are sometimes used in human medicine to treat pain. Interestingly, the SSRI’s do not seem to work the same way for this purpose, so it doesn’t seem to be the psychotropic effects causing the perceived pain reduction. I have used amitriptylline for neuropathic pain, but always in concert with other drugs such as gabapentin and amantadine, so I can’t say I know how effective it is. But, yes, it is used in that way in animals.
As far as the pins and needles feelings, I sometimes wonder if that’s what causes dogs to cause self-trauma by chewing. Lick granulomas might be a manifestation of this. I don’t know that anyone knows the answer to this question.
Hi Sonogirl –
I know that
Hi Sonogirl –
I know that the TCAs, of which amitriptylline is one, are sometimes used in human medicine to treat pain. Interestingly, the SSRI’s do not seem to work the same way for this purpose, so it doesn’t seem to be the psychotropic effects causing the perceived pain reduction. I have used amitriptylline for neuropathic pain, but always in concert with other drugs such as gabapentin and amantadine, so I can’t say I know how effective it is. But, yes, it is used in that way in animals.
As far as the pins and needles feelings, I sometimes wonder if that’s what causes dogs to cause self-trauma by chewing. Lick granulomas might be a manifestation of this. I don’t know that anyone knows the answer to this question.
It’s funny you mention the
It’s funny you mention the lick granuloma scenario, we once had a HBC who had extensive, but structurally repairable leg damage. We treated her, fixed the leg and it healed well although she had some minimal mobility issues with it. A few weeks after her last recheck she ended up chewing all of her toes off at home, with no signs of pain or discomfort when they found her. Quite a bloodbath at home apparently as she presented with the new traumatic injury and was pale as a ghost. We amped the leg and she went on to live as happy as a clam. Maybe she was experiencing peripheral neuropathy too; nerve damage from the original injury?
It’s funny you mention the
It’s funny you mention the lick granuloma scenario, we once had a HBC who had extensive, but structurally repairable leg damage. We treated her, fixed the leg and it healed well although she had some minimal mobility issues with it. A few weeks after her last recheck she ended up chewing all of her toes off at home, with no signs of pain or discomfort when they found her. Quite a bloodbath at home apparently as she presented with the new traumatic injury and was pale as a ghost. We amped the leg and she went on to live as happy as a clam. Maybe she was experiencing peripheral neuropathy too; nerve damage from the original injury?
Yes, I think quite likely.
Yes, I think quite likely.
Yes, I think quite likely.
Yes, I think quite likely.