I think Nicki has at least one of her dogs on Tagaemt and Lasix, but at much lower doses than noted above -- what we use is a recipe to take a 200mg tablet, dissolve in 3 Tbsp water, and then give .9ml (just a hair under 1/8th teaspoon) once a day.
But I have doubled that amount and do think it helps Leo's scratching. He was on Lasix and gabapentin but Lasix on its own didn't seem to help and lasix with gabapentin didn't offer any difference from gabapentin on its own (for a long time Leo didn't scratch at all on the lead with gabapentin, bu recently has started air scratching and bunny hopping.
).
I would be inclined to try Lasix on a dog without syrinxes as this is actually what Clare Rusbridge recommends -- she sees more results with Lasix alone on no-syrinx dogs than with gabapentin, I believe.
I dropped Lasix because the side effects were a pain with Leo -- occasional incontinence and having to remember to walk him an hour after every pill. Tagamet does basically the same thing and does give him some relief.
I am interested in seeing what other neurologists are recommending for tagamet as the dissolved amount is such a tiny dose! One 2-00mg pill would last a couple of weeks on a once-daily dose!
Like people, dogs all react differently to drugs and also, are sensitive in different places. I know Clare has said she knows of many dogs who won't tolerate a harness but can be walked on a collar, though generally collars semm to irritate the majority of dogs and some neurologists feel they can pssoibly contribute to syrinx development if the dog pulls on its collar. It is really strange. It might be worth trying the jacket harness with a sensitive dog as this lessens the pulling at the chest.