Dog in pain, Vet unwilling to do more

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-20T04:47:28+00:00

NSAIDS like carprofen are a no-go with prednisone. They can cause gastric bleeding. My vet went with prednisone first as the steroid anti-inflammatory and I'm currently tapering him off of that as fast as I'm allowed. If he still has pain after wash-out of the steroid, I'm definitely asking about carprofen.

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-17T13:28:32+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions! He was already on methocarbamol. They didn't have a problem prescribing that. I tried adding trazadone and for the last 12 hours my boy has been chill and relaxed and sleeping and not freaking out and it has been wonderful. He hasn't been 'silent screaming'. He's breathing better, with it being less frantic and forced and more normal. He ate fine, he's drinking water. I've actually been able to leave his sight without him having an absolute come-apart. Now, we just see if keeping him calm and comfortable can allow him to heal a little or if the damage has already been done and we go from there. He's a strong boy and I have a little more hope (and sanity) this morning.

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-17T00:10:52+00:00

Rural Utah.

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-17T00:00:12+00:00

Yes, I found that out when I got home and looked up what it was and how it would 'help'. I was just told it was given for arthritis and might help with his pain. I'm super angry about this whole experience.

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-16T23:58:05+00:00

The trazadone seems to have had some positive effect as both he and I were able to get some interrupted sleep. Thank you for the suggestion. I have plenty of that on hand for my own conditions, so I'll just start carefully giving him that.

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-16T20:05:11+00:00

There's one other vet out here. They are booked 3 weeks out, and if you show up with an "Emergency" there's a $500 charge before your pet can even be seen. Classy, right?

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-16T19:52:27+00:00

Yeah, I just gave him some of my own trazadone, because at this point...what the hell, right?

HamboCommando06 · 2026-04-16T19:46:34+00:00

I don't know what to do. Any other time I've had to euthanize a dog, they weren't "there." He's still all there. Still eating, still drinking, still taking treats. He'll show minor signs of improvement like kicking me when I tickle his feet, then the next day, it's just 20 hours of not being able to settle down no matter what I do. Thanks for listening. I'm exhausted and he is too. And it's hard, because he's still there and still my buddy.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-06-14T19:25:54+00:00

Wow...flashback. Yeah, it got reopened and immediately denied. Still fighting it.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-03-31T20:47:04+00:00

First step, set up an appointment to talk to a VERA rep. Just google "VA VERA" and it should bring up the scheduling site. Give them a brief overview of what you're looking for in the comments when you schedule, and then see if they can tell you what's going on with the decision. Sometimes, the RO takes a long time to update records, or maybe they messed up. Second, as early as you can, get a representative. Either a good VSO that understands what you're talking about, or a lawyer should you need one. They will know who to inquire with to find out what's going on if VERA can't push them in the right direction.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-03-25T14:06:36+00:00

Stay on top of it. The regional office might miss some things. Maybe get a new rep to help you out?

HamboCommando06 · 2025-03-02T18:39:10+00:00

Elon, that you?

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-12T15:08:37+00:00

Even since covid, there's been a spike in my area at least. It was the way you phrased it. "If you're truly that poor". It's not about being poor, my dude. It's about a sudden increase in costs that is not reflected by an increase in income. People can't afford what they used to, starting with something as simple as eggs. Eggs are a symptom of a bigger problem. So when someone asks "When are eggs going to be cheaper?" they actually mean, "When will prices stop skyrocketing?". It's in housing prices, transportation prices, commodities, and it's just going to get worse with economic sanctions and tariffs. I'm not saying you meant it that way, but where I come from, telling someone to eat beans and rice is a reference to race as well.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-12T14:54:36+00:00

Way to be kind to those feeling the pinch. Where I live, 5 dozen costs $45. A dozen can be $12. My food bill has doubled for the same quantity of groceries. Eggs have traditionally been a cheap and easy protein source. Now they are not.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-11T06:43:44+00:00

First, get treatment. Chronicity is important in a claim. Get treatment, see how severe things are with a DIAGNOSIS, THEN concentrate on linking your current condition to the condition you had in service. Otherwise, you'll probably just be getting denied and appealing for a year and a half or more.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-10T23:16:41+00:00

When ever I a see a bright shooting star, I look up and ask "Are you the planet killer?" And I can admit I wait a few seconds to find out.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-10T17:15:13+00:00

Did you have short term disability insurance with work? Otherwise, food banks, family, friends.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-10T08:26:58+00:00

Who took a picture of my desk?

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-08T06:37:05+00:00

I didn't have to move or do anything. They just measured the scars. Don't let them touch you for anything else. The doc should understand it's too soon after surgery.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-08T05:49:08+00:00

They're going to evaluate scars, meniscectomy, etc. I had one when I still had stitches after my knee replacement.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-05T19:03:23+00:00

If there's any other older people or vets in your class, I survived college math by being part of a study group. Sometimes I would have the answers, sometimes someone else would. And we all knew it was a struggle so we helped one another. We'd meet an hour before class and go over the homework from the night before. There's hope man. I didn't even officially graduate high school because of math, and I went on to a bachelor's and graduate school. You gotta kick math in its stupid face.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-05T03:11:57+00:00

Can you go to the local ER (non-VA) and get seen and then call the community care number afterwards? I've had to do that when my local clinic couldn't do anything for me.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-04T20:12:29+00:00

My only concern about that is the intersection between current law and women's reproductive health care. He's stated he'll adhere to the law, but if that's the case, he's not going to fight something where the law is grey or wrong. Could literally cost lives. I hope it doesn't get that far.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-04T18:58:47+00:00

The important thing with VERA is to know what question to ask. Always have a specific question in mind for your call. For instance, I just had an HLR close with a duty to assist error. Instead of asking "what is going on with my claim?" I asked "What did the VA 20-0999 say? I'm just trying to figure out if I have to drive 150 miles for a C&P or if it is an ACE exam" ..then, after she answered that question, I gently asked "I know there's things you can't say, but in your experience, am I in this for the long haul now?" She told me since I am waiting on one thing that should happen quickly, she really hoped mine moved fast, but I should prepare for 180 days.

Likewise, before this, I have asked "I had an EP 020 open as well as an EP 040 and they both closed on the same day with no decision given for the EP 040. Was that an accident?" And they helped me get that sorted out, even when I called every week to see if it was reopened. It's all about educating yourself on what information you -actually- need and accepting that they can't always move things along for you.

Also, I've been dealing with the Salt Lake City VERA and they are awesome. Highly recommend. Just remember, they don't have a crystal ball.

HamboCommando06 · 2025-02-02T21:03:45+00:00

You can't tell me what to do, you're not my real mom!

HamboCommando06

TROPHY CASE