At around 8 months old--our German Shepherd "Kato" was given "Proheart6", through our vet whom we have always had and still have a great relationship with.

Within 3 months he became "mysteriously ill". Kato underwent numerous tests from our vet---bloodwork, x-rays, constant exams, diet changes------nothing worked. one of those whom we got involved was a nutritionalist--specializing in natural medicine---his primary focus was "Proheart6" which he noted in Katos records.

There was not enough information to pursue that avenue at that time.
Kato became worse.defecating blood several times throughout the night, screaming in pain----------every single night for months. He was family. We started making the three hour trips to Gainseville Veterinary hospital on a regular basis--they were noted as the best--so he got it. Even if it meant admitting him to get morphine so we could buy time for the next step. Kato had so much bloodwork done I'm suprised he had any left to defecate------but it got worse. Finally, after these tests picked up abnormal liver reads----we thought we could pinpoint this thing but to no avail.

He continued to decline----putting him down was simply not an option--not until we made every conceivable effort to save our dog.
He had allready demonstrated that he would give his life for ours-----fair trade.

A growth developed in his colon--a hardening that was not malignant--nor related to any of the abnormalities the breed faces (IE--"broad-tail anal infection" , eating oddities, cancer) this thing just showed up. All we had were copies of the bloodwork carefully documented because they showed some abnormality. The "growth" had to go because it was interfering with an allready horrible closure of his colon and rectum. A surgeon out of Miami performed a radical "anal-pullthrough" procedure.

Despite his best efforts, we lost Kato in recovery from surgery.
After all---18 inches of the colon was hardened and had to be removed.

I am beyond bitter and would prefer to remain cordial rather than explain the feeling of battling the unknown. Second opinion upon second opinion can't be wrong. We couldn't get to the problem, we could only treat the symptoms. We spent 8,000.00 in monies we did not have.

Worst of all....... Kato never had a chance.

Kato was super intelligent, I would watch him size visitors to our house up, waiting to see OUR response to meter his own. He was my 5 year old son's companion, and in the "rank and file of the PACK" .... my family came to be around him--he watched over my son first , wife second, and figured I could take care of myself--so we played.a Never tiring game--he used to grab hold of the plastic pool for our young son in the backyard and drag it around --with my son in it of course. I can go on and on and on.
Then immediate lethargy--dropped us all like a bad habit--Kato coming out to see us for reassurance when he was hurting, guiltily hiding when he could not control the bleeding from his rectum--or frantically trying to "clean it up" before we saw it.

They didn't just kill my dog they broke him.

We're mad and we're going to fight. I have a family, I work hard everyday, but this thing haunts me.
My wife kept all of the records in a very thick file------and after 9 months, I find I can't let it go.

David Arch'e

I dedicated myself to her.... and so did all who cared for.

Morganna was a happy, loving, very well taken care of dog – she was 12 and did have diabetes which was brought on by Prednisone for her allergies…(unbeknownst to us and without warning from her old vet, Prednisone will occasionally cause diabetes…..we used to live in Western PA and moved to Maryland in 2001 – her current vet was not in the same group that last treated her).

Morg was well regulated on Humulin U 2 x/day – had her sugars tested regularly at the vet and at home via a glucometer and urine strips. She was on a special diet from her vet and received special treats; lost about 20 pounds and very easily adapted to her new lifestyle of insulin shots; testing; etc.

Her new vets were incredibly pleased with her care and her progress – she was just to the vet in March for her teeth cleaning and in May for her check up. She went to the vet almost every 2 months or so, just to check her sugars, etc. On her May 14th visit she was given her Proheart 6 shot – (this was her 2nd) – she had been tested for heartworms.

A little about her care – I am a critical care paramedic – I work as a flight medic for a helicopter service in addition to teaching at a University; my husband is a police officer trained in CPR/1st aid and was very attentive to her needs and very receptive to providing her care which included a very regimented schedule; the only other people that ever spent long periods of time with Morg were my aunt who watched her while I was on duty and John was at work. My aunt is also a paramedic; and occasionally Morg would stay with my Mom & Dad in western PA. She had her food there; her insulin and needles were always packed in her “go” bag along with her treats. My Mother is an EMT and was in charge of her insulin shots.

Since she was on a very regulated schedule our lives revolved around her and whatever activities that we did were always planned around her or included her. She never left home without her go bag which included oral glucose in the event that her sugars bottomed out; her glucometer and needles/alcohol preps, food and water. Her insulin traveled with us in a mini-fridge that plugged into our cigarette lighters.

My time was spent making Morg happy and comfortable. I dedicated myself to her.... and so did all who cared for. I had a standard of care for her that was probably higher than most humans and there was a continuum of care when I was not with her.

Morg very rarely spent many hours in the house by herself – my husband works evening shift and I typically work days at the University – she was usually only left at home alone 2-3 hours. Days that I was on the helicopter, she went to my aunt’s and spent the day with her.

The events leading up to her death were strange, bizarre and horribly traumatic….

John was in charge of her care while I was on duty for a 24 hour shift. He indicated that she was a little slow to eat her dinner on Monday June 8th, but he chalked it up to my not being home.

Tuesday morning, Morg refused to eat even though he tried scrambling her an egg…he called me to tell me to get home quick because she just wasn’t acting right. He had to leave because of a special meeting at work.

Essentially she was taken to her vet and we were given numerous diagnoses – I eventually took her to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic in Annapolis which also happens to be a critical care animal hospital and referral center…….

My belief is that Proheart 6 caused Morganna's death, as she had 2 of her primary vets taking care of her and they could not find what was causing this – the doctor that did her ultrasound on the 11th – the Emergency Clinic with all of their specialists and experts couldn’t figure out how to help her. In the end she developed DIC from all of the damage that Proheart 6 did to her!

Morg died at home on June 13th with me, my Mom and John around her.

I held her and comforted her until her very last heartbeat..... telling her how much I love her and that it was okay to let go.

I am so sorry that I ever gave this medication to her. I should have researched it prior to ever allowing it to be given to her…I NEVER would have allowed her to have it with her pre-existing condition. Shame on me for having so much faith on our vet and not insisting on researching it – I thought it was a miracle medication that would protect her from heartworm.

I couldn’t bear to see anyone else go through this terrible ordeal….nobody should have to lose their dog because of something they originally did to protect them!!! I am writing this in Morg’s memory and to aid in the complete removal of this medication along with any others that may harm our loving companions.

I am deeply appreciative of the time we spent together ... but this medication limited our time and I am incredibly hurt by that. I pray that this medication does not harm any more animals and that the FDA realizes that our dogs are not just dogs … they are our companions, our children when we can’t have children and our confidantes.

Crista