Previcox Emails

Updated August 4, 2008

 

 

Veterinary Oath

 

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine,
I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills
for the benefit of society through the protection of animal
health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of
animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the
advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity,
and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of
my professional knowledge and competence. 

 

Important: Anyone whose dog has succumbed to Previcox (firocoxib) poisoning, please contact Merial for a case number as soon as possible for future reference. Here is the Merial website which has phone numbers for all geographic locations. http://www.merial.com/contact_us/index.asp Also, contact your local poison control center and report the drug.   

 

 

Back to Rowdy's story

 

The loss of a good friend-poems

 

 

"Dixie"
From: Erica
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 6:34PM 

I can't tell you what comfort it gave me to read your story about Rowdy!  I lost my 7 year old Australian Shepherd on May 15, 2008.  She initially started with a painful right front shoulder.  So painful that she was screaming in pain.  I took her to the vet and he gave her Previcox which also seemed to give her much relief.  She began to regurgitate not long after starting the drug but the vet decided it was possibly due to gastritis. 

While her leg continued to improve her breathing became more labored. Ultimately, I noticed one morning coffee ground (consistency) vomited on the rug she had been recovering on.  Her breathing was also more labored and her gums were a pale grey.  I immediately took her to the vet who admitted her for treatment.  She stayed overnight and the vet called me the next morning.  He reported that her labs weren't "too bad" and that he was going to keep her and give her gut a rest while providing her with IV fluids and a coating agent for suspected gastritis.  This was at approx 9am.  At 4pm I received a phone call at work.  The vet simply stated that he was sorry but that Dixie had suffered a cardiac arrest and had died.  I was DEVASTATED!!  I HAVE NEVER FELT SO GUILTY IN MY LIFE! 

When I asked him what had happened he stated that the only way he would know would be if he performed a necropsy.  I didn't want my dog butchered and it wouldn't bring her back.

To top it all off, when my father and son went to pick up Dixie's body for burial the vet's office told him they would not release her body until I paid the outstanding balance of $65 and some change.  The loss of my dog's life was cheapened by this.  I had to make the payment over the phone while my son and father sat with her frozen, dead body. 

If this was how money affected their practice I wondered how their cheapness might have affected how they provided care to my beloved Dixie.  I still cry about this.  I can't even tell the story without crying because I am overcome with guilt.  While I am sorry that someone has had to endure this profound loss I am also comforted to know that I am not alone.

How can I spread the word about this? How can I make this particular vet (whom I will NEVER use nor recommend again) learn from what he did so it doesn't happen to anyone else??  How do I obtain a case number with Merial?

Sadly,
Erica

 

"Luke" 
From: Jennifer and Joe A.
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2008 5:11PM  Merial case # 08-65019

How do we receive a case number? We just lost our 9 1/2 year old Wheaton Terrier after just 6 weeks on Previcox.  The vet did not warn us of all the side affects. Our "Luke" got a stomach ulcers because it was a NSAID.  What can we do to make more people aware of the dangers of this stuff? I feel I killed him because I gave him this med to help him walk.

Jennifer and Joe A.

Before & after Previcox

"Brady"
From: Maurisa
Sent: Friday, July 4, 2008 1:09PM 

It all began when Brady, my 7 month old English Springer Spaniel, began showing mild frontal leg lameness in late April, 2008.  April 24th we began a 10 day treatment with Previcox, which indeed took the pain away but nearly killed him.

On May 14th when I let him outside for his late night potty break, Brady seemed to stumble outside.  When he came back in I did a general assessment of him and noticed that his gums were alarmingly pale.  I had him sleep in my bedroom that night and took him to the vet first thing in the morning.  By morning he had begun mild vomiting (no blood).

His initial blood work showed that he was extremely anemic.  When a sample was sent to the lab, it appeared that his immune system was attacking his own red blood cells (agglutination on the slides), causing the anemia (preliminarily diagnosed as immune mediated hemolytic anemia - IMHA).  Knowing that Brady had been treated with Previcox within days of this event, my vet called Merial and was told that this was NOT symptomatic of a Previcox toxicity problem.

Brady was then referred to a veterinary internal medicine practice.  They retested his blood, found his red blood count (via PCV - packed cell volume) to be about 12% (normal PCV is 35-60%).  I was told he was extremely critical and could "decompense" at any moment.  They held off giving him a transfusion because even though his heart now had a heart murmur, they felt he was able to compensate - at least for the time being. 

He was tested for many things. He had an ultrasound, his chest and abdomen were x-rayed, he was tested for tick borne diseases, babesia (a parasite of blood cells), PFK (an inherited disease that affects both the field trial and show lines of English Springer Spaniels), had his urine cultured to check for a urinary tract infection and they aspirated lymph cells. Every test came back negative.

Through consultations with specialists all over the country, we sent blood to a hematologist at the University of Pennsylvania.  This is where it was determined that "Brady's IMHA (immune mediated hemolytic anemia) was secondary to drug toxicity, presumably Previcox."    

Merial promised to help with medical expenses, which were forwarded to them on May 30th (no response as of yet - July 4, 2008). 

On June 12, 2008 I took Brady to the vet for his PCV check.  Two hours after I got him home - he crashed.  Among other things, he began extreme vomiting and some diarrhea.  This came out of nowhere!   

The emergency vet said he was suffering complete organ shut-down, he had spiked a fever, had an irregular heartbeat - the list goes on.  My vet is "cautiously optimistic" at this point.  We won't know for sure until his blood levels are completely within normal limits and Brady has been off of all medications for a sustained period of time while maintaining his normal blood values.  Time will tell - but I'm extremely optimistic.

There are many details I've left out of this history such as noticing him drinking an unusually large amount of water which resulted in very frequent urination days prior to the other onset of more serious symptoms, which I'm happy to share with anyone if it would be of help.   

Will I ever use Previcox or anything similar again with any of my dogs?  Absolutely NEVER!

Maurisa P.

 

"Jake"
From: Jim
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2008 2:25PM 

My wife recently found your website, after our 10 Year Old German Sheppard (120 pounds) became sick.  Jake had no previous health problems, until he sprained his front left leg.  Our Vet in Columbus, GA. x-rayed the leg and after determining there was no break, wanted to put Jake on Previcox. 

He did not have any in his office and had to order the medication for him.  I went back two (2) days later to pick the Previcox up and immediately began giving it to Jake. 

He was on 227 MG once a day and the vet office called a few days later to check on him for any side effects, since they said this was an experimental drug.  At this point I had not noticed any side effects, in fact he seemed to be getting better with his leg so my wife decided to cut back on the Previcox until she saw signs of Jake favoring that leg. 

The first bottle was a 30 day dose.  After completing it, we purchased another bottle.  Not even 1/2 way through the second bottle is when Jake became sick or as the vet initially told us, had seizures.

He would fall on his side, (as a new colt trying to walk) and his legs would stiffen, his head cock up in the air as if he were trying to breathe.  After a few minutes the first (so called seizure) he seemed somewhat incoherent but was able to walk to my car. 

I immediately took him to our vet and was told after several blood tests that Jake's liver and kidney count was extremely elevated, but this was not uncommon in older dogs.  They kept him overnight to flush out his kidneys and liver and administer IV fluids. 

The next day I went in to pick him up and the vet told me he wanted me to try Jake on a Food that was for the liver/kidney functions.  He felt like this would help him.  He also sent me home with phenol barbital to give to Jake only after a seizure. 

We got Jake home and kept him inside an away from our female Sheppard who is 9 years old.  Thinking this would help him in his recovery, I tried many times over the next few days to give Jake his Previcox and each time he became agitated and spit it out. 

The so called seizures continued through the weekend along with blood in his stool. We took Jake back to the vet on Monday 5/26/08, (was not able to take him in to our vet or emergency vet in Columbus, because of the Memorial Holiday, so we kept him as comfortable as we could during that weekend).

On Sunday night my wife researched the Internet about Previcox, and that's when she read your story about Rowdy. When we took Jake in on Monday, 5/26/08 the attendant had to come and help me physically pick Jake up, because of his size. 

They kept him again on Monday evening and called us on Tuesday morning, to say they felt like he had a brain stem tumor and was beginning to go blind.  This is the point where they recommended "We need to put him down".

We knew how he had suffered and felt like there was nothing else we could do.  We loved him enough not to let him suffer anymore.  Our vet did call Merial and spoke with a vet on staff there, on Monday.

I found out today, 6/30/08, after calling our vet to retrieve Jake's records, that the Merial Tech called our vet on Tuesday afternoon and wanted to help pay for an MRI, when told they were too late, they offered to pay for an autopsy and our vet refused. 

The assistant vet said if it is any consolation to you, no other animal in her office will be given Previcox.  The Previcox poisoned Jake to the point nothing could be done. 

I called Merial myself today 6/30/08 and have received my case number and I am filing a complaint with the FDA.

I hope that this product is taken off the market and no other animals like Jake and your Rowdy have to suffer.

Thank you,

Jim L. 

 

"Shadow"
From: Gail
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 2:42PM 

Oh my God- I am just sick after reading your post. My 14 year old dog, Shadow, (Collie/Golden/Malamute/Mix) who weighed 52 lbs, went in for her check up Tuesday. Except for ever increasing arthritis, she was fine. You can see what's coming- the vet  who I have trusted for 30 years, gave her a maintenance script for 2 Previcox/day.

He said it was safer with fewer side effects than Rimadyl. Of course, I began giving it to my old friend Tuesday night. At first, she was a little "agitated', but we thought little of it. Thursday morning, she began to seizure and I allowed her to be euthanized before noon. Who will ever know if it was the Previcox? It just seems more than coincidental. I now wish I had stayed with baby aspirin. Please let me know if my story can help prevent anyone else from feeling the grief I feel and know you do too. We will miss her incredibly, but if her death prevents others, it won't be in vain.

God bless.

Gail P-B 

 

"Lollie"
From: Mae
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2008 3:45PM 

Let me start by saying how sorry I was to hear about your pal.  I only wish I would have found your site before the night my Lollie, a yellow lab of 10 years old died.  

I had a feeling it was Previcox, but didn't know for sure.  I myself had taken an anti inflammatory for my foot a year ago and had problems.  That is why I went online.  I thank God for your site, but it was too late.  I have made a copy of it to send to my vet along with a letter.

My Lollie developed lumps in her neck three to four weeks before I took her to the vet. The lumps turned into a big mass. She was given Previcox for pain and Ciprofloxacin to clear up an infection, while we waited for the lab results to come back about the lumps and mass. 

It was a holiday weekend so we waited till Wed.  On Wed. the vet called to say then couldn't tell if it was cancer, because the test came back inconclusive.  I didn't get that.  We told her about the lack of interest in her food, and the vomiting. 

The vet said to stop the Ciprofloxacin, they would give her Primor (PRIMOR is contraindicated (inadvisability of) in dogs showing marked liver parenchymal damage or blood dyscrasias, or in those with a history of sulfonamide hypersensitivity. -Mel) for the infection, but keep giving her the Previcox. 

The next day Lollie became sick. She vomited six times in three hours, then her tummy started to contract and her breathing became very hard.  She could not stand, roll over and looked like she was in a daze. 

I found your web site about four hours before and knew this was a very bad thing.  I couldn't take her to a vet, because we live in a very small town with one office. It was now 9:00 pm. We were going to ride it out that night.  Her tongue was so dry, but could not get her to drink; I would take water on my fingertips and try to get some into her.  This went on for almost 12 hours. 

At 5:30 am she took her last breath.  I sat there with her all night petting her and trying to get water in her, just to have her die in my arms.  It was a horrible way to go.  She was the kindest, sweetest most loving dog. Everybody loved my Lollie.

I am so mad that I don't know what to do.  She didn't need to die that way.  Had the vet told me about the side effects I would not have given it to her.  She was doing fine on Bayer.  

Please let me know how to contact the company to see what I can do to make them reasonable for the meds that they put on the market.  

I have also written my vet a letter telling of how Lollie passed and the print out of your story. I hope that will help them to understand what kind of drug this is. Maybe they will stop giving it out or let people know what could happen.

Thank you for your site.  I have passed it on to everybody in my contacts list.

Sincerely,

Mae 

 

 

"Monty"
From: Sheila [UK]
Sent: Saturday, May 17, 2008 4:51PM 

 

Dear Mel,

My ten year old chocolate Labrador Monty was prescribed Previcox on Monday because he had sustained a minor shoulder injury. I mentioned to my vet that I was not familiar with that particular drug and why did he not prescribe PLT's which we had for other dogs in the past. 

The vet said that Previcox was much kinder to the stomach than PLT's but I must say that having owned  Labradors for 40 years I have never had a problem with PLT's.  

On Wednesday night/Thursday morning the dog was vomiting and was very unwell. I took him to my vet who gave him an injection to stop him vomiting I gave back  the rest of the tablets as I was not going to risk giving him any more. My vet said it was not the tablets that had caused the problem and that Monty must have had an existing problem with his kidneys and this is why he had reacted the way he did, this dog has never had any symptoms of kidney disease.

After being home for a couple of hours his condition deteriorated he was just laying flat out and staring like a zombie. I took him back to the vet and he kept him in overnight to put him on a drip.

Next morning I rang to see whether he had improved over night and they told me he was sitting up and had taken some food and that I could collect him at 2 o'clock that afternoon.

When I arrived to collect him the vet was running a cardiogram on him because he was concerned after listening to his heart that the beat was "all over the place" as he put it. When I again voiced my opinion that the drug had caused my boys condition I was then told that he must have had a heart condition.

I have had a dog with a heart condition and know that Monty had no symptoms whatsoever of heart trouble. My vet said that he was probably going to die very soon and it was better for me to take him home to familiar surroundings.

As I write this Monty is still with us  he will not eat but wants to drink vast  amounts of water which  I am rationing  to little and often.

After reading  the e-mails  on your site I do not hold out much hope for my boy but miracles can happen. If Previcox were killing or harming humans this drug would be withdrawn!!

From Sheila [UK]

"Monty" Update
From: Sheila [UK]
Sent: Saturday, July 5, 2008 7:16AM 

Against all odds Monty has survived his PREVICOX ordeal. All though back to his normal self,  his heart rhythm is not quite back to normal yet and for that reason he is having to take daily heart medication.

The next step will be reducing the heart drugs to ascertain if the damage to his heart is permanent and whether he can manage without them, if not he will be on medication for the rest of his life.

I do not know whether my nursing regime contributed to Monty surviving if it was it may help others in the same situation.

For the first 24 hours I administered Lectade [hydration therapy]* by syringe into his  mouth hourly and  at the same time  moved his body position, massaging his limbs and talking to him in a very loud voice. I was afraid that if he went in a coma too deeply he would not come out of it.

In the next 24 hours I carried on with the regime but started also to give Complan by syringe. Gradually we noticed an improvement in that he started to  move his eyes around taking notice of our other Labs. 

On the third day Monty was able to get up and go  to the water bowl and would have drunk the whole lot at a time if allowed  but I rationed it to little and often. It took roughly 8 days for Monty to be back to his old self. I changed his food from an extruded to chicken and pasta because of the kidney failure.

Merial [UK] still deny that Previcox was to blame even though the human version of this drug was withdrawn because it was found that it could cause heart attack and stroke.

* Read how to make a rehydration drink -Mel http://www.k911.biz/Petsafety/Dehydration.htm

 

 

"Pepper"
From: Darlene
Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2008 8:20 PM  Merial case # 08-36977

Mel -- I am "so" sorry to hear about your dog Rowdy. I, too, just lost my dog Pepper on May 6 -- and suddenly! Yes; he had just turned 14 years old but he had the spunk of a pup. Some days he would run down the stairs to go out back and some days he would walk slowly up the stairs to reach his bed.

On Friday, May 2 he was his usual frisky self -- but favoring his front left paw. Because I thought he was in pain, I took him to the vet for a check up. She examined him and agreed he appeared to not only favor his left paw but also his back left leg. Yes; Pepper had his good days and few bad days. She suggested Previcox -- 1 for the next 7 days. I gave him one that night -- and he immediately went down hill.

On Saturday morning, he could hardly walk and he was throwing up all day. I had to carry him out to the back so he could go the bathroom. His bowels were loose and extremely red; I concluded it was bloody. He urinated as usual. He never ate again; he did drink water -- but threw it up.

On Monday evening, I took him back to the doctor and they suggested keeping him overnight to run blood test and to start him on an IV to replenish his body with fluids.

On Tuesday morning, May 6, she called me to say he was not doing good -- his temperature was still low (98) and his kidneys and liver were failing. Just like that!!!

I cried on the phone because I had to agree to have him euthanized to "take him out of his misery" as she worded it. I never saw my Pepper again!

I, like you, am usually slow and cautious when it comes to synthetic drugs but I wanted Pepper not to be in pain -- if he was. I wanted to relieve him of any discomfort he may have been feeling -- instead I made him sicker by not being a good "mommy!"

This is something I will never forget -- while we waited to go into the examination room -- Pepper looked up at me twice. He must have known I would not see him again...

"Red"
From: Laura
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:34 PM

Hi. I was doing some research on Previcox and came across your website. My husband and I recently took in a friend's Pitt Bull so that it wouldn't be put to sleep by animal control. On the 5th his vet prescribed him Previcox to treat arthritis in his left leg from an accident he was in about a year ago, he was hit by a car.

I noticed that he started throwing up when I gave him the medicine and called a friend of mine, who is a vet tech to ask her if vomiting was a side effect on the medication and she told me no.

After he started throwing up so much from it I stopped giving it to him but yesterday his leg gave him so much trouble that he couldn't even walk on it. My husband had to pick him up and carry him down the stairs just so that he could go outside and do his business. Since my friend told me that vomiting wasn't a side effect, I decided to give him just half a tablet so that he could have some kind of comfort.

Today, we took him back to the vet and found out that either his spleen or pancreas has ruptured and his stomach is full of blood. I don't know if this is caused from the medication or not. I was wondering if you possibly knew anything about it.

Could his problem be caused from this medicine that was given to him? I honestly don't know what kind of condition he was in before he was put in animal control nor how he was treated. I do know that he got really sick about a month before he was put into animal control and he was never taken to the vet for it.

I have no idea how he was treated when he got to animal control, so, it's possible that it might not even be from the medicine, but after reading your testimonial, I thought I would at least ask.

Update: 6/23 Hi Mel. I know you wanted an update on Red and I'm sad to say that we had to put him to sleep. It turned out that he had bone marrow cancer and he had a tumor on his heart. He passed away on the 2nd of June. I don't think the medication had anything to do with it.

 

 

 

"Countess Muschka Von Belden"
From: Mary and William
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:37 PM Merial case # 08-36894

Let me begin by saying how very sorry we are for your loss of Rowdy!  We only wish that we had found your site two days earlier, for our beloved German Shepherd Countess Muschka Von Belden lost her life this morning due to the same drug  All kinds of mistakes were made and of course the original two veterinarians do not want to hear of the "hysterical nonsense from stuff  found on the Internet"  but if my husband and I can help to save one dog's life, it would be better than to have done nothing at all. 

On the 18th of April, our Muschka was running a short distance to greet me (when the photo above was taken and she seemed to have injured her foot).  She was 11, almost 12, but in remarkably great health.

She was placed on an anti-inflammatory medication, Deramaxx and we were told that if she did not show improvement at the end of ten days, to check back.  She seemed lame in that foot and so after ten days we contacted the local veterinarian once again. 

He gave us two more scripts, Tramadol and Previcox.  The first med, showed no side affects whatsoever but did not seem to help Muschka either. 

When I picked up these new scripts, I asked the woman..."Do I need to know anything about these medications, any known side affects?"  She said "No, just go by the instructions and let us know how she is doing by next Monday, or so."

I gave Muschka a pill a day for the first time on May 8th, having finished the Deramaxx on the 7th.  She had one a day for four days, and then I found seven piles of vomit around the woodwork of our great room, huge piles of vomit!

I did not yet know about the problems with Previcox!  The next morning, I gave Muschka her morning dose, but began to worry it might be the medications, and I found your site. 

By 2:30 yesterday morning Muschka was in some sort of daze, she was up all night, never slept a wink and seemed oblivious to my all night watch care of her. 

By 3:15 AM yesterday she would no longer take any water.  By 3:30 she could no longer get up on her feet.  By 5:00AM I felt we were going to lose our beloved friend of nearly 12 years. My husband and I and 2 kind neighbors lifted Muschka into a blanket sling we placed together to transport her to our automobile.  We drove her to a Veterinary hospital with a much better reputation as we had learned just recently was the case.  

Once there, we explained all I have just explained to you.  The Dr. asked if first office had done any kind of blood work on Muschka when all of this had first began with her injury...NO...NO blood work!   He explained how any dog should have their blood work done before going on some of these meds, and that especially a dog of Muschka's age, the integrity and health of her liver enzymes should have been checked.  But the doctor, make that two doctors failed us because there should have been at least a seven day flush out period before beginning the Previcox.  Yet, we were told to begin as soon as other medication was gone one day earlier. 

The new physician got Muschka started on an IV, and kept her for what was to have been two to three days.  Yesterday afternoon, we stopped by to check on her and she still seemed really out of it, but did manage to get up and walk to use the bathroom, both to urinate and defecate and we felt somewhat encouraged by that little bit after only being there several hours, but she seemed very, very distant, not even acknowledging that we were there at all.

I rang up physician first thing at 7:05 this morning to check and see how our pal was doing.  The receptionist said for me to wait while she went to check.  She got back on the line and the words still sting at my heart "I'm afraid she did not make it."

A torn ligament, a healthy BEAUTIFUL dog, our friend, our favorite, lost her life due to medications that were too toxic for her.  Yesterday her blood work showed way high toxins in her kidneys and she had pancreatitis and the toxins were so strong that it had made her blood like syrup.  I would give anything to have a healthy lame dog, than a dead one! 

The physicians that made the huge mistakes, gave the shoddiest excuses for not having done any blood work on her, they wanted to blame the Internet for causing me to question them, to try and place blame and judgment on the new more concerned and caring physician for suggesting that somehow they may have failed us...it is of no use to try and deal with this kind of person... for they accept no wrong in this.

Thank you for your time and for you are trying so very hard to accomplish.  If I can help in any way to get the word out, do not hesitate to let me know!

 

"Scout"
From: The Carrs
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 1:59 PM 

We have just lost our sweet 9-year-old black lab named Scout to drug-induced toxic hepatitis caused by Previcox.  I wish we had known about the fatal side effects when we were given Previcox to treat a soft tissue injury in Scout's shoulder.  We NEVER would have given her the meds. 

Scout had a well-dog checkup 6 weeks before starting the Previcox and everything checked out normal including all her blood work.  After taking the Previcox for several weeks, Scout quit eating one day  and became nauseated. On the 2nd morning that she didn't eat, we took her to the vet who ran a panel of blood work.  Her ALT was 1470.  The vet said Scout was experiencing serious liver failure. 

We took Scout to the vet every day for a week  and let them do what they could to try to flush the toxins from her liver.  Her ALT remained high and her Billirubin was 10 times normal.  Scout had polyuria and drank incredible amounts of water.  She became incontinent.  Scout still refused all food.  The vets suggested exploratory surgery to  see what damage had been.  We said "no" that Scout had suffered enough from Previcox.  We put her to sleep so she could die with some dignity left.

All dog owners should think twice before starting their dogs on Previcox.  Make sure you get a Client Information Sheet about the drug.  We weren't offered one and didn't know to ask for one.  We had no idea that Scout should have had a complete blood workup before starting the Previcox.  We were just trusting our vet.  We will never do that again.

May our beloved Scout rest in peace.

The Carrs

 

"Cort"
From: Tanya
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2008 11:10 PM 

I just got off the phone with Cort's emergency veterinarian (not the doctor who prescribed the Previcox).  After reviewing the results of Cort's necropsy performed today, he confirmed that the cause of death was kidney failure, liver failure, and bleeding in his abdomen and chest.  He said that Previcox causes thinning of the blood vessels which can cause them to burst -- explaining the large amount of blood they found inside Cort's abdomen/chest.  He said that in his professional opinion, and based on Cort's previous medical history, it was the Previcox that killed him and not a pre-existing condition or any other cause.  They are going to do additional tests (results in about a week) to confirm this 100% percent. 

As a pet owner, you know you will lose your pet one day.  However, to lose them in such a horrible, senseless manner is just unthinkable.  Cort - and other innocent animals like him who have taken Previcox - did not have to die such a painful, cruel death.  And all because a vet, who should have known better, told me to give him a drug that she knew could be fatal.  But she never mentioned the fatality part or any potential dangers of the drug to me.  I expected to lose Cort one day to old age, heart attack, or any number of other natural causes.  Never in a million years did I expect to lose him because of a pill a vet told me to put in his mouth once a day - a pill that was supposed to make him feel more comfortable...not kill him.  My two daughters are absolutely devastated.  It is just heartbreaking.

Thank you for your e-mail web address.  I am sending an e-mail update to all my family and friends and everyone I know and am including the link to your site.  Many have already contacted me to tell me they too are sending it to everyone they know so no one else has to suffer what your dear Rowdy and my beloved Cort suffered.

Additionally, I intend to pursue legal action against both the animal center (where the vet who prescribed the Previcox works) and Merial.  I don't know how far I will get but I intend to do all I can to stop the use of this dangerous, deadly drug.  It needs to be removed from the market before more innocent pets are removed from our lives.

"Cort"
From: Tanya
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2008 3:10 PM 

Sadly, our beloved Cort passed away this morning.  A necropsy (autopsy) is being performed to confirm that he did indeed pass away as a result of taking Previcox.  He was taken to the emergency animal clinic that was NOT affiliated with the original veterinarian who prescribed the Previcox.

 

 

"Cort"
From: Tanya
Sent: Monday, May 5, 2008 1:32 AM 

Dear Family and Friends,

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE take a minute to read this so you do not make the same mistake I made. Most of you know our beloved family pet, Cort (the German Boxer).  If you've visited us at any time during the past 9 years, you've been licked to death by him and seen him bend his body into alphabet letters with joy at seeing you (he made a "U" if he was happy to see you, he made an "O" if he was really, really happy to see you).

Cort has been suffering the effects of arthritis and it was becoming clear that it was causing him discomfort.   I took him to the vet on Tuesday, April 29th to have his hind legs checked.  After a thorough examination, the vet stated that Cort, at only 9 years old, was in very, very good health. She also confirmed that Cort's limping and discomfort were indeed caused by arthritis.

Without asking any probing questions or doing any type of bloodwork, the vet immediately prescribed an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).  The drug she prescribed was: PREVICOX.

The vet was so keen on getting me started on this drug that she even gave me a free six week supply.  She raved about how effective it was and how much better Cort would feel after a day or two on it.  She recommended starting him on 1 pill a day for 3-4 days, then 1/2 pill a day for a month.

I started Cort on Previcox that day, Tuesday April 29th.  Four days later, Cort was dying from it.

By Saturday evening, he was severely ill - vomiting profusely, drinking incessantly, more profuse vomiting, etc. all through the night.  Sunday morning he was taken to an emergency animal clinic for examination, given an anti-vomiting medication, and sent home "for observation".  By Sunday evening, he was back at the animal medical emergency clinic - dying.  They hooked him to an IV for fluids, took blood, and said I would know by Monday morning what his prognosis was. 

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG PREVICOX.  The emergency veterinarian who saw Cort both times on Sunday is convinced Cort's condition is a result of the extremely harmful side effects of Previcox. 

After returning from the emergency clinic the 2nd time, I did an internet search on Previcox.  I was completely astounded by what I read.  I only wish I had thought to do this BEFORE giving Cort this potentially fatal drug.  I am only sharing my story with you in the hopes that others will learn from my mistake. 

Like most people, I completely trusted the vet and did not question the drug she told me to give my beloved boy.  The damage it can cause is irreversible - and possibly fatal.  There have been numerous canine deaths as a result of dogs being given Previcox after only 2 or 3 days.  Cort was on this medication for 4 days!

PLEASE be aware of this horrible drug and note also to question your vet about any side effects of all drugs and meds. given to your pet.  By law, I believe, vets are required to provide a listing of all side effects associated with medications/drugs that are prescribed but I was not provided with this information, nor did I think to ask for it.  As I said, I trusted the vet completely and now Cort is paying the price for my misguided trust.  Both my girls are extremely attached to Cort and we will all be heartbroken if he doesn't pull through.  My 5 year old will be crushed because he is "her baby" and Cort and Lauren adore each other.

PLEASE don't let this happen to your pet.  Do not give them Previcox (and please take the time to research all pet medications before you administer any to your pet).  

What I read about Previcox scared the living daylights out of me and I gave this to poor Corty for four days).  Thanks for letting me share and please don't make the same mistake I did.  Hoping for the best for our beautiful boy.......    Tanya

"Dixie"
From: Nick and Ami
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 7:03 PM
Subject: Previcox- Dixie's Biopsy results
(see:"Dixie" Thursday, April 03, 2008)

Hi Mel,

Dixie's biopsy results are in and they prove that Dixie did not have pre-existing conditions. No cancerous cell were found ....not even on a cellular level. Although I am going to include details from the report I will explain it in my own words first.

The PREVICOX apparently starts first by forming ulcers on the stomach and as more PREVOCOX is administered it becomes ulcer upon ulcer until the stomach acids (full of PREVICOX) begin to leak out. It seams it first attacks the kidneys and liver. Then it begins to destroy all the protective membranes that are protecting all of the other organs. In the end it makes its final attack on the heart.

I have noticed several of the e-mails where people were told "your pet died of heart failure" or "your pet died of liver and/or kidney failure". Well sure they did and it was most likely caused by the PREVICOX. Merial knows this ....it's in their side effects section that our vets are not legally required to provide to us.

I also discovered this weekend that although for six years I have used Revolution for all three of my pets, in January of 2008 my husband went into our vets office and asked for a six month supply of Revolution for Dixie. When he was given a six month supply of HeartGuard and a six month supply of Frontline, he questioned this and they said "Oh its just better".

Because I had at one time used HeartGuard and Frontline we just used it. How convenient is it that both of these products are put out by Merial.......I'm furious. This is a perfect example of how some vets are apparently just in it for the money or free supply's from the drug companies.

I took the online survey at PREVICOX.COM and Dixie was not a candidate for PREVICOX, it was needlessly and carelessly prescribed. My vet said she prescribed it to Dixie so that "she could recover pain free from her surgery after being on the table for so long." The heart monitor was on for seven minutes. Dixie did not have arthritis....she did not need PREVICOX!

Here are the biopsy results.

BIOPSY WORD FOR WORD COMMENT:

The site of perforation was not identified in this sample (despite additional sections). There is focal necrosis of the mucosa and evidence of peritonitis on the serosal surface of the intestine and stomach. There is no evidence of neoplasia in the samples examined.

MICROSCOPIC FINDINGS:

    1. SMALL INTESTINE: Focal mucosal necrosis and neutrophilic peritonitis

    2. SMALL INTESTINE: Mild lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic enteritis

    3. STOMACH: Mild lymphoplasmacytic gastritis and neutrophilic peritonitis

    4. PANCREAS: No significant findings

 Thank you for having this site. I noticed the updates including photos. It looks great!

Ami

    

"Rex"

From: Regina

Sent: Saturday, April 26, 2008 1:44 AM

Dear Mel,

We just had an experience with Previcox also.  We brought our dearly beloved 15 yr and 10 month old Rex to the vet because we wanted to have him checked out.  He probably had doggie dementia but it also appeared that he had arthritis.  We just wanted to see if there was anything we could do to make him more comfortable.  He for sure was old, yet still able to eat and drink and go to the bathroom outside (an occasional accident inside) but that was to be accepted, after all he was 105 yrs. old.

So as the story goes I got a handout from a vet at a street fair in our home town on Saturday and brought it to my vet on Wednesday. Well as it turns out that was a big mistake.  I gave Rex a dose on Wednesday and his second dose of Previcox-the death drug on Thursday. 

This early AM  Rex was frothing at the mouth and breathing hard, legs out rigid after laying down, I thought he was just having a spell.  Then this AM he could not stand up on his own and was not interested in drinking.  I laid him down to rest a bit.  I also noticed his rib cage area appeared bloated and enlarged.  He was able to make it slowly outside where he went to the bathroom and then laid down, listless, breathing labored, abdomen distended. 

When we got home after work Rex looked terrible, tongue hanging out, bluish hue, gums pale, unable or unwilling to get up with coaxing. We took him to the vets, he never got up. 

The vet said he had bloat, twisted stomach and when my husband asked if it could have anything to do with Previcox he said no. My husband noticed also that on Thursday night Rex was drinking a lot of water and commented that he appeared to also have vision problems, like he couldn't gage the depth of the water bucket. He also had frequency of urination and drinking way more water than usual.  Now I feel so bad for our dog. 

Rex was put to sleep today.  It is after the fact, tonight that I went to the internet to see if my husbands hunch was right, and sadly so it was.  I really thought it was coincidental but now I am not so sure.  It all happened so fast. 

What can be done and is there anything being done to warn and prevent this from happening to other dogs?  What can I do?  Please write back.

Rex's mom

 

 

"Niki"

From: Gary and Kelly

Sent: Friday, April 25, 2008 12:14 PM

Mel, unfortunately Niki didn't make it through the night. I expressed my concern to the doctor about the medication and that we feel that was the cause. He is going to notify the Merial and do a investigation into her death. He showed us the x-rays of her yesterday and could not find a single thing wrong. Her organs were all fine and he found no masses or tumors. I think he is also believing Previcox was the cause. What a horrible way for all of us to lose a family member. We are telling everyone we know about this so they do not give it to their pets. I just wish I would have looked it up before I gave it to her. Thanks for the kind words and the information on the site. We were just a little late.

"Niki"

From: Gary and Kelly

Sent: Friday, April 24, 2008 3:21 PM

Hello Mel,

We are experiencing the exact same thing with Previcox. Our dog 14 year old Lhasa named Niki strained her aft right ACL last week. The doctor gave her an injection last Sat. He gave me a prescription for Previcox for us to start her on Monday. Monday she was doing better and she was back to her chipper, running around self. We started the Previcox Monday as he prescribed.

Last night <Wed> she changed dramatically. Niki became very disorientated. She started projectile vomiting and wandering around the house looking for a corner to hide in while she yelped as if she was in great agony. All night she was very uncomfortable.

This morning she was tired but no longer in pain. Her stomach sounded like there was an alien in it. We were thinking that it was the chew bone we had given her the day before or a fish that washed up on our beach that she could have eaten from the lake that might be causing it. We just got back from running some errands and she is really out of it. My wife and started talking again about what it could be because now the bone theory didn't seem plausible. We started wondering if the medication could be the cause. We called the doctor and he said don't give it to her for 2 days and see how she gets. We did some internet research on this drug and came across your site. We immediately called the doctor and told him the symptoms were exactly the same as you and the emails had stated.

We are bringing her down in a half an hour. I hope she makes it till then, she does not look good at all. Hopefully your site might help save our little girl. Thanks for putting this out there for everyone to see.

"Courtney"

From: RONALD

Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:17 AM

 

My heart is breaking.  My Courtney died on Sunday (4/20/08) at Approximately 4:30 in the afternoon.

 

It all started on April 6th - I brought Courtney to an emergency animal hospital because she seemed to have hurt herself.  She had been whimpering and walking with her head down.  I believe she probably pulled a muscle. The vet on-duty gave her Tramadol 50mg (2 tablets every 8-12 hours) and a prescription for Previcox 227 mg to be taken with her meal  (late in the day) on 4/8/08.  This delay was due to the fact I had given Courtney a low dose aspirin (80mg) on Sunday afternoon - I was told to wait 48 hours.

 

So, Courtney had her 1st dose around 6:30 pm on Tuesday.  Wednesday morning she threw up.  I gave her another pill with her food and Courtney seemed to hold it down.  I gave Courtney her dosage on Thursday morning as instructed.  However, by Thursday afternoon she started to vomit - and she never stopped.  I brought her to my regular vet on Saturday and he agreed that the vomiting was caused by the Previcox. Instructed me not to give her any more.  I had already stopped - I do not give her a pill either Friday or Saturday. 

 

The doctor gave her a shot of anti-nausea medicine and an antibiotic and sent her home.  She was able to eat on Saturday - but Sunday she vomited twice.  Monday I had her back to have X-rays - Tuesday she went back for an ultra-sound.  The ultra-sound showed an enlarged gall bladder. Arrangements were made for her to have her gall bladder removed on Friday(4/18/08).  By this time she had already lost over 6lbs and was dehydrated because she had not been able to hold food nor water.  The surgeon went in and found the bile duct has been plugged (caused by the vomiting and not being able to eat) and she had developed 2 ulcers.  Mind you - this was in a matter of less than 2 weeks. 

 

I had been optimistic she would survive - by Sunday she died.  I was with her on Sunday morning - she was suffering.  They had to perform surgery again and found her spleen had no blood and her abdomen was purple.  I think this was caused because her feeding tube was leaking.  It doesn't make a difference - she is gone and I am devastated!!!!

 

If I had not taken her to the emergency room - if I had not given her the Previcox - My beautiful girl would be alive today.   I am so sad and I miss her so much.  I feel like I lost my child.  My heart goes out to you - I know just how you felt when you lost your boy. There is a void that will never go away but how fortunate we are to have had such wonderful times with our loves.

"A.J."
From: Angela
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 8:28 PM

 

I just wanted to let you know that my beloved A.J. was put to rest Sat. April 19th. He was put to sleep at 9:45 A.M. and laid to rest about 2:00 that afternoon. I cried all day and then cried myself to sleep that night. I know he was old (16 yrs) but I'm sure the medicine is what did him in. Thanks for caring about us, it's been a very difficult week to get through. Thanks for being out there!  Angela

 

"A.J."
From: Angela
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 10:08 AM

Hello, My name is Angela and I just read your story about Rowdy. I am feeling for your loss. On March 28, little did we know this BAD MEDICATION PREVICOX started to play a bad joke on my 16 year old, 5lb Pomeranian.

The vet prescribed it for pain for an ulcerated eye. Gave the 1st dose, 1/4 of a 57 mg pill  Fri night. Sat night he got a 2nd dose. The dog seemed to be responding well, he seemed to be more alert, not sleeping near as much as he had been. Then he got a 3rd dose Sun Mar.30th. Monday Morning my dog was in complete respiratory distress with watery gurgling sounds in his lungs, and vomiting up watery bubbles and very weak. Took him to the vet who give him a shot to help dry the liquid in his lungs. I brought him home, he was not eating so he didn't get the Previcox on Mon.

Tues he wouldn't eat all day till late, that evening he seemed to be perking up a little and drinking still having breathing problems, at 12:30 am.

Wed morning he and I were up and he was willing to eat so I slipped another 1/4 pill into his food. Well, three and a half hours later my dog goes into a worsened breathing condition. I gave him a nebulizer breathing treatment.

Its Fri morning and I've decided that this medication might just be the problem for my dog who has never had any breathing problems. I will not give him any more of this stuff. I don't know if he will pull out of this reaction or not, time will tell. Thank you for your story of Rowdy, it helped confirm my suspicion of this really bad drug. 

Angela

"Makala"
From: Julie 
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:23 PM

I found your article while doing a Google search. I wish I had found it earlier and known of the side effects of this drug. My dog, Makala (a yellow lab), died of kidney failure 4/14/2008 due to this same drug. I had not idea the medicine I was giving her was actually slowly killing her. I feel absolutely awful.

She suffered and could not walk the last 4 days while the vet gave her two IV flushes (one on Friday and the second on Saturday). The third one was scheduled for Monday
4/14/2008 but I had to have her put down as she was suffering badly and I could no longer put her through the suffering. Do you have any statistics on the percentage of dogs or cats have adverse reactions?

Best Regards,
Julie T.

 

 

"Dixie"
From: Nick and Ami 
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 9:30 PM

Dixie Our 10 year old yellow lab Dixie died at noon yesterday (April 2nd) from the same drug. She went in to have a benign tumor removed from an eyelid on Wednesday March 26th (this procedure had been done 2 or 3 times over the years) and was given Previcox and antibiotics.

I administered the drug once daily starting last Wednesday (March 26th) in the afternoon, thru Tuesday (April 1st).

After my wife and I left for work on Tuesday (April 1st) Dixie got sick and the care taker for my grandmother noticed something was wrong. I got home at 5 and immediately called the vets office which prescribed the medicine and was assured (after I asked about the medicines) that there was no possible way she was having a reaction to the medicine.
 
She has had around 5-6 seizures over the past 4 years and everyone thought it was a seizure just not wearing off as quickly as the previous ones. I let it go until 7pm when it was obvious she was in serious distress.

We went to an emergency vet clinic and as soon as the vet heard the word Previcox she looked alarmed. The blood test showed Dixie's kidneys were in trouble, but hopefully it wouldn't be fatal, we would wait until morning to see our vet.

Overnight she went down hill progressively. Wednesday morning (April 2nd) the vet we saw in the emergency clinic (we didn't go back to "our" vet) did x-rays, ultrasound, IV's and everything else in the world to help. She was trying to get Dixie stable enough to operate and fix the hole (she was convinced of what happened), but couldn't get her stabilized.

After Dixie passed she asked to do an autopsy to confirm her fears. Previcox had eaten a hole in her stomach, inflamed her intestines, and completely ruined her kidneys, pancreas, etc.... She died a slow and painful death.

She was fine, even went on a 3 mile walk Sunday (March 30th and again early Tuesday
(April 2nd) morning. But 5 1/2 days into taking Previcox once she got sick it was too late. The new vet had been optimistic up until her death that even with a rupture she could be saved. After the autopsy she looked shocked and everyone in the office was crying. She informed us that nothing could have been done even if we had brought her in at the first sign of illness, that the drug literally ate holes in her organs.

Here is the kicker. I have never had the vet do extra blood work prior to anesthesia but I did this time. On Wednesday (March 26th) before the tumor removal a full blood panel was drawn and all of her blood work was, and I quote the vet, "As good as it gets for a ten year old lab".

There is no way that there was a prior condition. After reading your story it sounds like you have dealt with this in great detail. Is there anything that you can suggest we do? We really need to get this out there. I wish I had searched this drug on line
before  I ever gave it to Dixie.

What a hard lesson to learn. My husband and I do not have kids, we've lost our best friend.

Nick & Ami

"Miko"
From: Jay C.
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 6:21 PM

My 12 year old Husky (go to www.hogs4dogs.com to see her) went in to the vet for a “routine” knee surgery. She was prescribed Previcox. I asked about the side effects and was told none. After a day or so she began not eating, violent vomiting, and strange breathing.

I called the vet immediately, he said stop the Previcox and see if she gets better, I said should we bring her in. "No, just see if her condition changes", I was told.

She began to get worse, so we took her in anyway. They said "She is dehydrated.", so they gave her an IV drip and they said we would be able to pick her up the next day.

Two hours later we received a call that her heart had arrested, and "Sorry".
I noticed you had a case number. Is there a place that one can attempt to complain to?

Thanks, Jay C.
Hogs4Dogs.com  

"Roxie"
From: Kevin K.
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2008 8:17 PM

My dog's name was Roxie. This dog was my best friend and my first dog. She was supposed to be a hunting dog but turned out to be an inside pet for my 12 year old son and 9 year old daughter. Both kids are devastated. They now take their blankets and pillows and sleep on the floor where she used to sleep.
 
The biggest bummer was that they found her dead on the floor in the morning in front of the TV. They actually thought she was asleep until my wife knew  something was wrong. Thanks for the support and your thoughts.

Kevin K.

"Roxie"
From: Kevin K.
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 9:10 AM

I have just read your article on this medication after losing my Chocolate Lab of 10
years. Yes, she had arthritis in her back legs but didn't have any heart problems that the
vet had noticed.

The vet gave me a sample pack of this drug and after a couple of days her legs got better, but she seemed a little sluggish and started this deep cough that sounded like something was stuck in her throat. After 10 days on this medication, she came in from a walk in the front yard, collapsed on the floor, never caught her breath, then died.

I don't blame the vet because I can't see him doing something like this on purpose. I will get a lot of the info I can on this drug and send it to him. If you can send me some good links, I'll pass them on.

Thanks,
Kevin K.

"Maison"
From: Little Dragon (UK)
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2008 2:19 AM

I have just found your web page but unfortunately too late for our Maison. Last weekend he was taken to the emergency vet in pain, he told us he had a pulled muscle and gave him two injections and said to go back to our vet the following day for some pain killers for him. The next day he was no better so we took him to our normal vet, who then diagnosed him with a slipped disc.

We were surprised as he didn't even want to do an x-ray, however as we have been with this vet for over 20years we trusted him. He gave us the Previcox with no mention of side effects or things that could happen. We gave him one tablet and 6 hours later he was drinking lots and being sick, we rang the vet and he said not to give anymore tablets but Maison would be fine.

Two hours after this there was a horrible smell in the room, we looked over and he was sitting is a pool of blood which was pumping out of his back end. We rushed him to the emergency vet again who said he most definitely didn't have a slipped disc as you cannot diagnose this without a x-ray and it was just a pulled muscle. She said the tablet had caused an ulcerated colon which caused internal bleeding and hemorrhaging. We were told to go home and she would give him a drip and antibiotics but he would be fine to come get in the morning.

At 2am that night we had a phone call saying he has got worse and at 4am he died. We are heart broken as you can imagine and completely in shock, we had a perfectly healthy dog with nothing but a pulled muscle and now he had died under horrific circumstances for nothing.

How can this drug still be prescribed!!!?
I just don't know how we will get through this grief and pain.

Claire 

"Kodiak"
From: Stormaker
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:10 AM

Dog's name was Kodiak age 10
Breed: Lab, Black
Died: June 20, 2007
Previcox dosage Three Pills.
Back to Vet to see why vomiting, listless. No Clue.
Died the next morning. I'd like to keep aware.
Rick K.

"Kodiak"
From: Stormaker
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:00 AM

Previcox Killed my ten old year Lab in five days.
My Vet now refuses to prescribe it.  

"Flash"
From: Michael S.
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 8:58 PM

Mel, Sorry to hear about your dog. We had the same fate with this drug. However, in our case, the Vet insisted that our dog "had other issues" (she was 10 years old). It's funny, how we took an otherwise healthy dog in for a pain in the leg & a week later she's gone.

We took her in on 1 February for front leg pain. He examined her, took a blood test & sent us home. About 2 hours later, he called, said the blood work was amazingly normal & prescribed Previcox. As prescribed, 1/2 a pill per day as needed.

We gave her the first half & about 2 hours later, she appeared to be her normal old self. We gave her 2 subsequent doses 2 and 3 days later. By the middle of that week, she suddenly lost use of her one back leg and she lost her appetite, except for drinking. We took her back to the vet & we were informed that she had an enlarged liver (thru blood tests, the same ones that proclaimed her amazingly normal the week prior).

We took her home the next day (after an overnight stay at the vet's). On Friday 08 February, our Flash's last day, She suddenly went into seizures (she had also went half blind suddenly as well). We took her down to the vet for the last time that Friday. I was informed that they could do nothing for her & I had to have her put down.

At the end, she had severe problems breathing as well. I call Merial right away and was given a case number. The following Monday, I did some research on their website and I found that these sort of problems can occur. I called them back and confronted them with what I found on the internet. The girl that I spoke with stated, "Anyone could have put that out there...". When I informed her where I found the information, her response was "oooohhhh!" and "hhhmmm". She tried to downplay these findings and said she would add the information to our case number.

In the meantime, the vet called us (I suspect that Merial had contacted them at that point) and informed us that he had opened up our dog & found she was loaded with malignancy & tumors. I had a private cremation set for our dog, so I asked the person picking her up stop by so I could examine the body. The vet had never touched her as he had stated.

It appears that veterinarians are loyal to the drug companies to support their businesses. It appears that they try to hide any wrongdoings on wither part. Here in Baltimore MD, it appears that everyone is in cahoots with everyone else in the business. Getting straight answers is very hard when it comes to vet's.

Like yourself, I grieve over the loss of my dog -- a Beagle that I've had for 10 years.
If you're interested in some sort of class action against these guys, I'm all for it -- please let me know.

Thanks, Michael S.

"Laddie"
From: Ann T.
Sent: Friday, February 15, 2008 3:32 PM

Dear Mel,
Thank you for your prompt reply to my e-mail, and the concern shown towards Laddie, my friend's dog. Sadly he was put to sleep last weekend as he became weaker, and did not respond to further treatment ....morphine drip etc.

Everything happened SO quickly, as a few days before he was full of life. The vet still did not give Ann a reason for him becoming so ill, said it could have been a tumour.

She took their word and didn't want any more checks done. I feel the Previcox didn't help, as Laddie had always had a sensitive tummy and the new young vet was told that.

Thank you again for caring, and for all the links you have sent us, Ann says Thank you too. Will let you know how Our Boys get on in the future.

Best Regards Ann T.

"Laddie"
From: Ann T.
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 5:18 PM

Only dog lovers like you, and my family and friends really understand the devastation involved when one loses a wonderful lovable companion. My friend Ann and I rescued two rescue Collie-cross puppies from the same litter. When we meet up, which is often 'Our Boys' run and rabbit together, loving every minute together, so your poem 'The Boys' made me cry when I read it tonight.

Recently they have both been diagnosed with arthritis, they will be nine years old next month. They have both been on a course of drugs recently for arthritis. Ann's other rescue dog Laddie, is a Lab-cross, again a very loving boy. Tonight she phoned me to tell me he is not at all well, after she had administered three Previcox tablets....(Yes Laddie has also been diagnosed with arthritis) He will not eat, drinks constantly, is listless, and has diarrhea.

The vet said he does not know what is wrong with him ?? and said 'I will do a blood test if it will make you happier'!!! From his symptoms we guessed it was kidney failure, and of course have stopped the tablets. Came across your web-site while researching Previcox. Hopefully Laddie will recover, perhaps an I.V. may help?

We are still left with the problem WHAT to give our boys Simba and Reggie to help them with their problems. maybe the baby aspirin will be the safest route.

My heart goes out to you over the loss of Rowdy, I can guess how much Duke misses him. THANK you so much for your warning on your web-site which will be passed on..........Best Wishes Ann T.

"Holly"
From: Victoria & Allan
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 12:31 AM

Hi Mel,
Firstly, can I say I'm so deeply sorry for your loss, and I apologise if my email brings back painful memories :-(   My husband just found your internet page dedicated to Rowdy.. If only I had seen this earlier. As I was reading it, it was as though I was reading almost exactly what we'd just gone through with our beloved Siberian Husky, Holly (passed away on 29 January 2008).

Holly had gone in for an operation to remove a mammary tumour and also to check out a mystery pain that has been coming and going with Holly for years. The last time this pain appeared the vet had given her an analgesic injection and it seemed to help her a lot. This time they x-rayed her (to check her cruciates and hips) and they came up ok. So I suggested we just go the same route as before. This time the vet brought in tablets (Previcox).

He said nothing other than to give 1/2 a tablet once a day (why didn't we ask questions?! why didn't he tell us more about the medication?!). So home we went. The operation on the tumour went well, the wound was healing beautifully . Then a day or so after she came home she started to get picky about her food. Usually she would wolf it down (as Siberians do). She was still drinking. Then the vomiting started..but she was still drinking. I blame myself at this point, I should have twigged earlier that something was seriously wrong. By the time I did it was too late. What was worse is that it's been hot (we're in Australia), so she would have been quite dehydrated. I found her in her run on Monday night, surrounded by pools of vomit, looked very spaced out.

Alan had to carry her to the car because she couldn't walk. When we got her to the vet she just lay down on the floor, her whole body in spasms. The vet on duty x-rayed her again (chest and abdomen) and saw nothing strange there. They put her on a drip and then put her away in a cage. She was dead by the morning. I guess we won't know for certain that it was Previcox but something tells me it probably was.
Rest in peace, Rowdy and Holly.

Victoria & Allan
Australia

"Jessie"
From: Camille N.
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2008 11:41 PM

I am so sorry about Rowdy. My beautiful 4.5 year old Lab Husky mix had to be put down on Friday of this past week and she had been on Previcox. We had put her on it for a torn ACL and were told 10 days, one pill a day.