If your vet has recently prescribed amantadine for dogs for your painful pup, you may have some questions about how this medication works, side effects to watch for, and its safety. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby is here to help with an in-depth review of amantadine—a great tool in the “pain management toolbox.”
Managing chronic pain in dogs may require a vet to think beyond the common pain medications such as NSAIDs, tramadol, and gabapentin. Perhaps the patient has an underlying condition that means an NSAID might not be safe or effective. Or in other situations it’s because those popular medications simply aren’t doing the trick anymore. In either case, sometimes the medication amantadine for dogs can be a huge help.
What is amantadine?
Better known by its brand name, Symmetrel®, amantadine hydrochloride is an antiviral medication that can also be used for the treatment of pain in dogs and cats. It antagonizes (i.e. inhibits) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the nervous system. These receptors normally transmit pain signals. By temporarily inactivating the NMDA receptors, amantadine can prevent the pain signals generated in the body from reaching the brain. If the brain never gets the pain signal, it doesn’t perceive the pain.
Amantadine is especially helpful in cases of chronic pain, such as osteoarthritis in dogs. In these cases, repeated stimulation of pain pathways in the spinal cord and brain can cause harmful changes in the nervous system. The end result is that the nervous system becomes hypersensitive to painful stimuli.
This type of chronic pain stimulation can even lead to the nervous system interpreting non-painful stimuli (i.e. cold, light touch, or brushing) as painful. But the great news is that amantadine can help “reset” that sensitivity to more normal levels.
Amantadine for dogs
The FDA has approved the use of amantadine in humans. Like many other medications labeled for humans, veterinarians used it “off-label” in dogs. This is nothing to be concerned about as off-label drug use is a fairly common occurrence in veterinary medicine. However, it is important to note that deciding which human medications are safe for use in dogs is best left to your veterinarian.
Many other human pain relievers are not safe for dogs. This is especially the case for over-the-counter NSAIDs (which is why the answer to “Can I Give My Dog Advil?” is a resounding “No!”). But amantadine passes the safety test.
What is amantadine used for in dogs?
I tend to reach for amantadine in patients whose chronic pain has become worse over time without an obvious cause for the worsening. Often, that increased pain response indicates the dog’s nervous system has undergone changes making it abnormally sensitized to pain. In those situations, amantadine can prevent (and even reverse!) those changes, which improves pain management.
Veterinarians may prescribe amantadine to help decrease chronic pain and the related changes to the nervous system from:
- Arthritis
- Cancer such as osteosarcoma in dogs (bone cancer)
- Neurologic conditions such as disc disease (e.g. IVDD in dogs)
Since arthritis is so common in our beloved senior dogs, let’s take a closer look at how amantadine can help dogs who suffer from chronic pain associated with arthritis.
Amantadine in dogs and arthritis
Managing signs of arthritis in dogs is probably the most common application of amantadine in veterinary medicine. A study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine compared the effectiveness of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) alone, with the combination of an NSAID and amantadine in dogs with arthritis.
The researchers found that dogs given both medications together engaged in significantly more physical activity. This suggests that the combination of amantadine and an NSAID was better for pain relief than using an NSAID alone.
Can amantadine be combined with other pain medications?
As you may have noticed, the study above looked at amantadine in combination with an NSAID, not by itself. Overall, amantadine doesn’t tend to work well on its own. But it does perform well in combination with other pain medications. For these reasons, vets almost always use amantadine plus another pain medication, rather than only amantadine.
Amantadine and NSAIDs
Amantadine is not known to have significant anti-inflammatory effects. However, arthritis has a large inflammatory component. Therefore, when treating arthritis, vets may choose to use amantadine in conjunction with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as carprofen for dogs. The NSAID provides anti-inflammatory effects as well as pain control. And the amantadine boosts the level of pain relief.
However, vets may also choose to combine amantadine with other pain medications.
Amantadine and gabapentin
If you’re wondering “Can I give my dog gabapentin and amantadine together,” the answer is often “yes.” Both gabapentin for dogs and amantadine can potentially decrease the abnormally increased sensitivity of the nervous system that comes with chronic pain. But they do it in slightly different ways. This means combining amantadine and gabapentin may have a synergistic effect. However, it is best to speak with your vet about whether giving your dog gabapentin and amantadine together is the right choice.
Amantadine and tramadol
Additionally, you can give your dog tramadol and amantadine together too. Tramadol for dogs is a synthetic opioid that vets may use for pain control in dogs. The verdict is out on how well it controls pain by itself. But it does seem to work better in combination with other pain medications. This means that tramadol and amantadine can potentially be a useful combination. But again, your vet will decide what is right for your dog.
What is the amantadine dosage for dogs?
Your veterinarian will determine the best dosage of amantadine for your dog’s particular situation. Dogs can take it once or twice daily for treatment of chronic pain. Based on a study in Greyhounds, twice daily dosing is probably more effective than once daily dosing.
Common dosage forms include amantadine 100 mg tablets or capsules, 68.5 mg and 137 mg capsules, 129 mg and 193 mg tablets, and a 10 mg/ml liquid. Having the choice of tablets, capsules, and liquid gives several options for dogs who aren’t always cooperative for taking their medication. (As an aside, check out my article Your Dog Won’t Take Pills? for five helpful tips. Plus, the comments section below the article includes even more ideas.)
How long does it take for amantadine to work?
Amantadine is absorbed from the GI tract and starts to take effect fairly quickly in dogs. In one Greyhound study, peak blood levels occurred about one to four hours after oral administration.
Despite this, veterinarians usually recommend giving the amantadine for two to three weeks before deciding how well it is working. This is especially important if your vet prescribed amantadine for your dog for chronic pain. It can take some time for the nervous system changes (i.e. increased sensitivity to pain) to start responding to treatment.
Prior to starting the amantadine, it may be helpful to take a video of your dog walking or doing whatever actions seem to be painful. Also, you could write down some observations. Or you may want to rate your dog’s pain on a scale of 1 to 10 over several days. This gives you concrete data points to compare to how your dog is moving and acting after the two to three weeks of amantadine.
Sometimes, the improvement is remarkable and you don’t need those observations to notice it. However, having the ability to do a comparison can be a good way to notice more subtle changes in pain control.
Is amantadine safe for dogs?
Besides being a good option in our tool box for pain management, another plus is that amantadine is generally safe for most dogs. At this point, vets should use it with caution in patients with kidney disease in dogs, liver disease in dogs, congestive heart failure, or seizures in dogs. And it should not be used in pregnant or lactating dogs. These recommendations could change, however, once there are more studies characterizing its uses in dogs.
What are the side effects of amantadine in dogs?
While it is generally fairly safe, like most other medications, amantadine does also have some potential side effects for dogs.
Mild side effects of amantadine
When dogs first start taking amantadine, they more commonly experience mild side effects including:
Diarrhea
Some dogs may develop diarrhea in the first few days after starting amantadine. Thankfully, the loose stool is usually short-lived and resolves on its own. However, if you have any concerns, it is best to reach out to your vet.
Flatulence (i.e. increased intestinal gas)
You may notice that your dog has more gas (i.e. flatulence) than normal when he or she first starts taking amantadine. The good news, though, is that this usually improves after a few days.
Vomiting
Along with other signs of GI upset like diarrhea or flatulence, dogs may vomit when first taking amantadine. Often, giving the amantadine with food can solve this problem. But if it doesn’t, please consult your veterinarian.
Increased sleepiness
Your dog may want to lay around or sleep a bit more at first. And he or she may act like a lethargic dog. This increased sleepiness usually goes away in a few days though.
Less common but more concerning side effects of amantadine in dogs
Additionally, dogs may also experience some side effects that tend to be less common but more concerning.
Ataxia
Occasionally, you may notice that your dog is wobbly and off balance, having trouble navigating the stairs, or has an abnormal gait. These are all signs of ataxia. While ataxia can be a side effect of amantadine, it can also signal that the dog’s neurologic condition is worsening. So if you think your dog is ataxic, the best thing to do is give your vet a call.
Agitation or restlessness
While it doesn’t happen often, some dogs who take amantadine may become worked up, aggressive, or more restless than normal. If you notice any agitation, please stop giving the amantadine and contact your vet.
Dry mouth
Due to the anticholinergic effects of amantadine (i.e. blocking the “rest and digest” portion of the nervous system so that the “fight or flight” portion is dominant), some dogs may develop a dry mouth. Therefore, you may notice your dog keeps licking his or her lips or going to drink water more often.
Difficulty urinating
Because it has some action as an anticholinergic, amantadine can also cause urinary retention and difficulty urinating. If you see your dog straining to urinate, please call your vet. While it can be a side effect of the amantadine, difficulty urinating could also signal your dog has a UTI in dogs, bladder stones, or a urinary obstruction. Thus, it is important to get your vet involved.
Increased heart rate
The third potential anticholinergic side effect for amantadine is an increased heart rate. You may notice that your dog’s heart rate is elevated above baseline if your regularly check your dog’s vital signs. Or perhaps you might feel your dog’s heart beating faster than normal when you are snuggling.
Seizures
If your dog is already prone to seizures or is on a medication that lowers the seizure threshold, it is possible that amantadine could precipitate a seizure. That’s why it is so important that your vet knows your dog’s full medical history as well as all other medications and supplements your dog is taking.
Long term side effects of amantadine
At this point, there really isn’t enough data available about canine amantadine use to have a good idea of if dogs may experience adverse effects from using amantadine long-term. But it seems likely that the benefits amantadine can have for controlling chronic pain and improving quality of life would outweigh any potential risks of using it long-term.
Work with your vet
Often, dogs will adjust to the medication within a couple of weeks, and those adverse effects of amantadine will subside. If your veterinarian has prescribed amantadine for your dog, and you’re seeing side effects that concern you, please reach out to him or her. That way your vet knows what is going on and can help guide you on how to proceed.
What are the signs of an amantadine overdose in dogs?
If your dog receives an overdose of amantadine, you may notice signs such as tremors, dilated pupils, disorientation, coma, respiratory distress, heart arrythmias, changes in blood pressure, vomiting, or aggression.
Since amantadine has a relatively narrow therapeutic window (i.e. dose at which it is safe and effective), it is best to reach out to ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, Pet Poison Helpline, or your veterinarian if your dog receives more than his or her prescribed dose of amantadine or if you have any concerns about a potential overdose. (There is a fee associated with calling the toxicology specialists, but the peace of mind is well worth it in my book.)
Are there any drug interactions with amantadine for dogs?
Overall, amantadine would get an “A” for getting along with other medications. There is a very short list of significant drug interactions with amantadine. And in most cases, the interaction is mild. These drugs that interact with amantadine include:
- Trimethoprim/sulfa—This antibiotic (often prescribed by vets for skin infections and urinary tract infections) can cause higher blood levels of amantadine. When using both medications together, the vet may need to adjust the dose of amantadine accordingly.
- Thiazide diuretics—Heart medications such as hydrochlorothiazide, which vets occasionally may use to treat high blood pressure (i.e. hypertension in dogs) or heart disease in dogs, can also raise blood levels of amantadine.
- Selegiline for dogs (Anipryl®)— This medication, which is sometimes recommended to treat canine cognitive dysfunction in dogs, can cause more stimulation or excitement when used with amantadine.
- Anticholinergic drugs—Antihistamines like Benadryl for dogs and other medications that have anticholinergic effects should be used with caution with amantadine. The combination of drugs could potentially increase the severity of the anticholinergic side effects (dry mouth, difficulty urinating, and increased heart rate).
Other than that, amantadine is not known to have significant drug interactions with other commonly used veterinary medications. This allows vets to feel confident prescribing it for patients they are also treating for other problems.
How Amantadine helped a senior dog
To add even more context to using amantadine for dogs, I wanted to share the story of one of my patients, Ella.
Usually, Ella, a 10-year-old Newfoundland with arthritis in her elbows and knees, loved to go for long walks in the woods with her mom. And for several years, she was still able to do that, thanks to daily gabapentin and an NSAID.
But as time went on, Ella’s mom noticed that her canine companion no longer wanted to go on her once-beloved walks. This was a clear sign to Ella’s mom that her dog’s current medications weren’t relieving the pain. So she brought Ella in to see me.
I performed an orthopedic exam on Ella. And I even repeated her X-rays to see if there were worsening arthritic changes in her joints. But I didn’t find anything that would explain why she was no longer comfortable on her current medications.
This made me suspect Ella’s chronic arthritis pain was causing nervous system changes that made her hypersensitive to pain. So I decided to try adding amantadine to her list of medications.
It took a few weeks to start seeing a difference. But soon enough Ella was jumping out of the car and leading the way down the trail again. She was overjoyed to be back in her favorite place, and her mom was thrilled to see her best friend feeling good again!
Talk to your vet about amantadine for dogs
In the end, even though amantadine may not work as well as it did for Ella for every patient experiencing chronic pain, it can be a great tool in a veterinarian’s toolbox. It has great potential for keeping your furry friend active and enjoying life.
If you have questions about whether amantadine could be helpful for your pup or concerns about your dog who is currently taking amantadine, please don’t hesitate to talk to your vet. Even if your vet doesn’t think amantadine is the right solution for your dog’s situation, chances are he or she will be able to offer some other helpful pain management options.
Together, you and your vet can ensure your dog has the best quality of life possible. For some dogs, amantadine is exactly the solution they need to be able to hit the trail, fetch the ball, go for a swim, or do whatever it is that makes their tail wag.
Has your dog ever taken amantadine?
Please comment to share his or her story.
My 11 year old black lab started amantadine 2 weeks ago and see a slight difference but last couple of days he isn’t eating his biscuits. Not like him at all so thinking medication is suppressing his appetite. Will this pass as he gets used to the medication. Thanks
Hi Karen,
Usually if I think a decreased appetite is due to a medication, I expect it to happen at the onset of administration. Because this appetite change occurred after 2 weeks of giving the amantadine, I am suspicious that the medication is not the cause. I am not sure what the original diagnosis was that the amantadine was prescribed for but would want to have that further investigated in case the treatment is not helping as much as initially thought. Pain can definitely cause a decrease in appetite. I highly recommend you contact your vet and update them on how things are progressing. They may want to re-evaluate your senior guy and adjust his treatment plan accordingly. Best wishes!
Hi Dr. Buzby,
My 12 yr old Golden, Cam, was recently prescribed this in conjunction w Gabapentin for a diagnosis of allodonya. He’s been exhibiting extreme sensitivity to touch for a few years now and it’s gotten worse over this last year. I’m not finding too much on the internet about canine allodonya and the use of this drug. Can you provide any info? I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks! Julie (and Cam)
Hi Julie,
Amantadine works by helping other pain medications work better than they would if given as a single treatment. Because your vet paired Amantadine with Gabapentin, it sounds like they are trying to calm the nerves in hopes of treating your dog’s allodynia. Gabapentin is usually prescribed for neuropathic pain or seizure disorders. If you need more information about allodynia and how it relates to your pup, it might be a good idea to schedule a consult with a veterinary neurologist. I hope these medications will help Cam find relief from his extreme touch sensitivities. Praying for a full recovery and a long happy life for your sweet boy.
Thank you!
Have you ever heard of Amantadine causing paralysis in dogs? My Bella started Amantadine about 4 months or so ago for arthritis pain. I could tell it helped her a lot with the pain as she became a lot less restless and grunted a lot less when moving around. However, she has an appointment to get out to sleep tomorrow because in the past few months she started wanting to walk less and less to the point where we had to carry her outside with straps, and about a week ago she stopped walking although. When we lift her, she’s limp. However, she’s beautifully healthy otherwise and it’s absolutely killing me to put her to sleep because she’s still beautifully vibrant and happy and otherwise super healthy with a great appetite. A light bulb just went off in my head at 2am so I can’t get a vet on the phone now, wondering if it could be the meds. Please get back to me asap if you can. Thank you so much.
Hi Jennifer,
I am sorry for the delayed response. I hope you were able to talk to your vet and get the answers you needed to make the best decision for Bella. I am not aware of Amantadine causing paralysis and would have expected any side effects to have happened within the first few doses of the medication. I am more suspicious that maybe Bella was dealing with a neurological condition such as IVDD, neuropathy, or degenerative myelopathy. It is possible a neurological issue could have been contributing to her pain levels but was initially hidden due to the symptoms of the arthritis. I hope that no matter what decision was made, Bella is at peace and pain free. Bless you.
Our 6 year old staffordshire has just been diagnosed with terminal osteosarcoma, going from ‘not sure if this is a lump’ on Wednesday, to fatal 2..5 in. tumor into the skull and smaller metastasis at c2 level spine the following Monday.. She is taking 100 mg amantadine along with prednisone, gabapentin, and tramadol. The amantadine seems to be the drug that makes her most comfortable — even going on walks and eating very well– but it is a 24 hour dose. By 12 hours, and especially the next morning, she is in pain, nauseated from the tramadol, and won’t even take her pills with beloved ice cream.
I’d like to know if we can use a pill splitter to create 2 50mg doses taken at 12 hours.
We only have days left with her, and if if evening out the amantadine keeps her at a happier stage, we’d be so grateful to know. Thank you.
Dear Janet,
I am so sorry for the tragic diagnosis your dog has received. My heart aches for you with this difficult and emotional situation you are facing. You can definitely split the pills in half, but I highly recommend you talk to your vet about the possibility of giving the 100mg dose twice daily. I know this is not what is generally recommended in healthy dogs, but since we know her time is limited, and she is basically on hospice care, I would think the benefits would outweigh any risks. I pray these last days are full of peace and comfort. Hoping your girl can rest easy surrounded by the ones who love her most. Bless you both. ♥
Skip has just been diagnosed amantadine (100mg capsules once a day) for arthritis in his back and pain in his rear leg, He is also diabetic and i worry about him vomiting as a side effect and then not having enough food in his body to work with the insulin. What would be the best way to avoid this side effect, give him the amantadine with his food or a few hours before or after? He is also on Onsior once a day, would it be better to give onsior and amantadine at the same time so they can work together or at different times in order to spread the pain relief across the day
Hi Holly,
I understand your concern with potential side effects from a new medication. Thankfully, we don’t usually see severe side effects from Amantadine. Vomiting is not common, but if GI issues arise, it is usually in the form of flatulence or diarrhea. I am not sure that the presence or absence of food in the stomach will make much difference either way. Just to be safe, you can give it with food and see how Skip tolerates the medication. Both the amantadine and Onsior are supposed to last 24 hours. So as long as you give the medications at the scheduled time each day, they should be effective even if not given together. Also, it is usually recommended to hold off on giving insulin until you are sure your dog has eaten his whole meal to avoid issues with dropping his blood sugar too low. You could always feed him, then give him a few minutes to make sure no vomiting will occur, then administer his insulin dosage. If you have any concerns about his insulin and food intake, please talk to your veterinarian. I hope you will find the addition of the amantadine to be very helpful in controlling Skip’s arthritis pain. Best wishes to you both!
Hello again, thank you for your reply
We have been on 100mg once a day for nearly 5 weeks now, fortunately with no side effects. I’ve seen no change at all, in fact, if anything he seems to be getting worse with the pain in his back leg. Is it possible the amantadine could make the pain worse? I’ve asked about giving him amantadine twice a day but vet says he can have maximum of 150mg a day which makes it difficult to split as they are capsules. Are there 50 or 75mg tablets he could have twice a day instead or do you think if we were going to see a difference in pain we would have seen it by now. He is 30kg, slightly underweight because of his diabetes
Hi Holly,
I am glad you haven’t seen any unwanted side effects from the amantadine but also disappointed it is not helping control your pup’s pain. I am not sure you would see any difference from giving a half dose twice a day verses a full dose once daily. Yes, I think you should have seen some improvements by now if this combination of medications was going to be helpful. I am not aware of any instances where amantadine has increased the pain level in dogs, but I guess anything is possible. I would be more inclined to think the medication is just not working as well as hoped and the original painful condition has progressed. It might be a good idea to talk to you vet about other medication options or something to add to your dog’s current treatment plan. You can look into physical therapy/rehabilitation, acupuncture, laser therapy, or even schedule a consult with a veterinary neurologist. Still holding on to hope that you can get your sweet boy comfortable. Keep us updated!
I enjoyed your article very much, especially since I had never heard of this drug before. I have a 14 yo Pembroke Welsh Corgi. He is very stiff and sore. He takes Selegiline (for dementia) and carprofen with his breakfast and takes gabapentin with dinner. Yesterday the vet prescribed amantandine 50mg (I’m splitting 100mg capsules until I can find tablets). When is the best time to give this med? Can the caplets be cut since I believe they’re timed release? I appreciate any insight! Thank you!
Hi Christine,
Thank you for the kind words. I am glad you found the article to be helpful. I think it would be best for you to talk to your vet about when the medicine should be given and the possibility of cutting capsules in half. In general, I try to avoid opening capsules as it is difficult to get an exact dosage and the capsule usually hides a very nasty taste. I am not sure if your vet prescribed the medication once a day or twice daily. This will have a big impact on what time it should be administered. I hope you will notice an improvement in your Corgi’s comfort level with the addition of the Amantadine. You may also want to look into laser therapy or acupuncture to help reduce pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. I wish you both the best and good luck.
my border collie cross Belle is 14 and has just been prescribed Amatadine for arthritis and weakness in her legs. although her movement seems to have improved after 3 days – today she is very restless and unsettled…….is this a normal side effect and if so how long should it last – she is eating very well and seems ok but just won’t settle down.
Hi Miriam,
I understand your concern about these new symptoms since starting the Amantadine. I am not familiar with this being a side effect of this medication, but it is definitely a possibility. I think it would be best to call your vet and let them know about this recent restlessness and anxiety. They may want to examine Belle and make sure no other issues are complicating things. Also, they may decide to change the dosage to see if the side effects resolve. I am glad you have noticed an improvement in your girl’s pain level. I hope you can find a treatment that works best for Belle. One that offers the pain relief benefits but less of the negative side effects you are noticing. Best wishes to you both and give your sweet girl a hug for me!
We experienced and are still experiencing the agitation and restlessness. Please advise. But similarly, we have had increased pain control.
Hi Catrina,
I am glad you are noticing a decrease in your dog’s pain level since starting the Amantadine. I am going to recommend the same thing to you as I did to Miriam. You need to talk to your vet about these concerns. Make sure they are aware of the restlessness and anxiety your pup is experiencing. Your vet may decide to adjust the dosage to see if the symptoms resolve or may try a different medication altogether. Wishing you both the best and good luck!
I take Amantadine for dyskinesia.. are the human and veterinary capsules exactly the same?
Hi Leslie,
I am not sure if the dosage is the same (mg in each capsule) but the drug itself is the same. Many of the medications that are used in veterinary medicine are the same ones that were manufactured for human medicine. There are very few veterinary specific medications on the market.
I so appreciate your articles as I navigate my yellow lab’s golden years. I read all of your posts and they are so helpful, clear, and give me confidence about making decisions on my pup’s behalf. I am shying away from amantadine initially because my lab had a soccer ball sized tumor removed from her liver 2 years ago and liver values haven’t been the best since then. But I”m curious if you are planning any articles about Platelet Rich Plasma. We have an appointment with a specialist and I am searching for more information about it. Really hopeful that this will help our old girl stay comfortable.
Hi Vivian,
Thank you for the kind words about the articles! I am glad they have been helpful to you and your senior girl. I appreciate you taking the time to make a request for info on Platelet Rich Plasma. I am always on the hunt for new topics to address and research. Keep your eyes peeled for the articles that are released in July. I think you will be pleasantly surprised! I hope the specialist is able to find a treatment that works best for you and your sweet girl. Praying you have many happy days ahead to continue making memories together. ♥
Thanks so much, Dr. Buzby! I would love to hear your perspective on PRP!!! After consulting with our specialists, they recommended Shock Wave Therapy (requires anesthesia) and we actually went ahead and did it because Lucy had to have anesthesia anyway yesterday to remove an MCT (she beat Mast Cell Cancer 6 years ago). Not coming across much about Shock Wave Therapy either. But our vet seemed quite optimistic about it.
Hi Vivian,
Shock Wave Therapy is great! It can reach much deeper tissues than laser therapy. Let me know what you think about the results you see with this new treatment. I hope Lucy did well with anesthesia and the mass was removed easily. Wishing you both the best!
Hi there. My 5 yr old Great Pyr Hendrix was just diagnosed with Osteosarcoma…. Our guy doesn’t seem to be in pain, but seems very tired.. Not that he was such a hyper pup to begin with but you can tell the steroids and pain meds have slowed him down. He’s eating and going potty just fine. He was just diagnosed 5 days ago and has been on the meds a full 4 days. Our vet has him taking 8- 20 mg of Prednisone a day and 2- Amantadine. After 5 full days of the 8 Prednisone we drop down to 4 a day. Will these effects fade over time once his body adjust? We are so new to this and we’re just devastated. We appreciate any information you can provide us with. Thank you
Hi Cassie,
I am so sorry your big guy has received this tragic diagnosis. Yes, the effects of the prednisone will begin to decrease and eventually will not be effective anymore. Where is the cancerous lesion located? Is amputation or surgical removal an option for your pup? It might be a good idea to schedule a consultation with a veterinary oncologist. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best choices for you and Hendrix. Praying he can keep fighting and gain some extra quality time with those he loves most. Bless you both. ♥
1. Osteosarcoma in Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis
2. Prednisone for Dogs: 10 FAQs Answered
3. Dog Hospice Care Can Bring Peace and Dignity to Your Dog’s Final Days
4. The Myths and Misconceptions of Cancer in Dogs with Dr. Sue, Cancer Vet
My Lab recently started taking Amantadine and he has started to be lethargic and isn’t eating as much as usual. It seems like he’s gotten worse since he started taking it. He has arthritis and Hip Dysplasia and is also taking Gallaprant and Gabapentin. Is this normal behavior? Earlier this week he wouldn’t get up to go to the bathroom for over 20 hours. I was to the point of thinking I needed to let him go. He’s only 11 1/2 and has been very healthy other than the arthritis in his back legs. Does this sound normal to you or do you think I should stop giving it to him? He’s been taking it for almost a month.
Hi Angi,
You are right to be concerned with these new symptoms in your senior guy. Besides starting the amantadine, did you also recently start the Gabapentin? The reason I am asking is because sometimes when first starting a course of Gabapentin it can cause ataxia and wobbling and make a dog feel unsteady on their feet. I can imagine that if your dog is feeling dizzy and wobbly, he may not want to walk around much and might not have a good appetite. Here is a link to another article with additional information:Gabapentin Side Effects in Dogs Are Nothing to Fear
With that being said, I highly recommend you talk to your vet and let them know about these new worrisome symptoms. They may want to examine your pup and do some testing to make sure nothing new has popped up since his last evaluation. Your senior guy is lucky to have you in his life and advocating for his health and wellbeing. I hope he can find some relief soon and get back to living his best life. Best wishes!