Bulldogs World

I looked up the side effects and they look similar to prednisone.  I have used prednisone, and I have always hated the panting that comes with it.  I totally understand the concern of giving them something you are unfamiliar with.  Maybe get a second opinion.  This is an article that I found. https://www.vetinfo.com/side-effects-amitriptyline-elavil-dogs.html

Can cause sedation, low blood pressure and increased heart rate.  All of those scare me.

We have Newman and Chester on it and it's done wonders for both of them.  Chester has hemivertibrae in his back and Newman has some arthritis in his back legs.  Both are doing great on it.  It would be nice to get your girl off the pred, it can cause lots of problems long term.  The adequan is given in shots (I do it myself) twice a week for 6 weeks and then once a month thereafter.  It's a little expensive at first, but the monthly shots aren't bad.  That being said, we had a lhasa years ago on Elavil, it's basically a mood enhancer like lithium.  He did okay on it, but it didn't seem to help his separation anxiety.  Our vet put Oliver on a drug called Anxitane M & L during his last weeks that was an anti anxiety med and he did well on that.  It's not horribly strong, just takes the edge off for them.  

I just wanted to offer you many ((( hugs )))) about losing your precious Titan!  Please don't be so hard

on yourself----!!!  You were given a med by a trusted vet; it's NOT you fault !!!  You  said you "stupidly" didn't ask

people here for advice---that makes me so sad--it wasn't stupid of you at all !!!  What a sad thing for you to

endure all these years... I'll tell our precious foster guy Murphy to go and give Titan a lot of  ((( hugs)))

for ya!!  I'm sure they're happily playing together on the Rainbow Bridge :-)   I'm SO very sorry !!! 

I want to thank all of you for your responses and advice. I have made the decision to NOT give Porkie the Elavil. As my husband pointed out to me, I am the one distressed about the panting NOT Porkie. Hate to admit he's right but as he pointed out her activity level is the same on Elavil days as on non-Elavil days. Her appetite remains the same. I'm the one upset not her. Maybe she's picking up on my anxiety???  Thank you all again!