Welcome
to our first Newsletter!
I know in today's busy times, that
we don't always have time to go back thru the website
and see if there is anything new posted. YahooGroups
email list helps some, but not everyone is using it.
My plans are to hopefully do this once
a month. I'll be including news, anything info found,
new stories etc. Any input will be greatly appreciated
or what you would like to see, what you would like to
learn.
On that note...... Spring is here!
A time some of us have dreaded, 'heartworm
season' .... knowing that there would be more and more
stories. And there are. |
| Sincere Sympathies to Jeannie on the
lost of PC recently.
He fought long and hard! Our thoughts are with you. |
Coming Up!
People are always asking me what
they can do to help. They come up with some pretty
good ideas themselves! Most of us want to try and
help spread the word of drug dangers for our companions.
The dangers we aren't warned about when they are given
medications. Some of us have more time then others.
National Pet Week May 2-8,
2004
This years Theme is:
People and Pets, a Loving Bond.
Hmmmm what a time to try and spread
the word! The theme matches! since majority of us
support the "Guardian
Campaign" and our Companions
and Guardian/Caregiver Rights Petition.
We tossed the idea around and we
were looking for something anyone can do or could
participate in, anywhere in the USA. Something that
doesn't take alot of time or computer experience.
This is what we have come up with,
for anyone that wants to participate. I'm designing
flyers to be put on windshields of cars in parking
lots, or if you live in a rural area like I do, on
the side of mailboxes. Parking lots with Petsmart
and Petco would be great! but any would do. Spend
an hour, spend a day, what ever you want to do. We
have a good week to do it. Warning though, I've been
informed you can't stand outside Petsmart doors to
do it.
So any one that is interested, let
me know and I'll send you the file to print off.
ALSO: I've been dreaming about T-shirts
with our logo on the front and the URL on back of
it. I finally figured out how to do it without alot
of expense! I've ordered bulk iron on transfer paper.
Anyone that would be interested in ironing it on to
YOUR shirt, let me know.
JagfanStacy in FL is having a garage
sale next week. Well her hubby and daughter will be
selling and you can guess what Stacy will be doing!
Handing out flyers and telling "Precious'"
story! I sent her the files to get her own transfer
paper at any office supply, but also sent her a picture
of "Precious" that she can print and also
iron on! Pictures posted afterwards!
Business Cards: Available
on request for printing.
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You may not have noticed:
With the new website we have several other
additional pages that we didn't have before. One is
Table of Contents (sitemap)
for the entire site. Another is our Mission
Statement. We are also doing "Who
Am I's" to show that we do NOT work for a competitor
and that we are all different people from different
areas. Well Jean has one done and I have one done.........
waiting for Janice's and Demi's. Organization
List (if you don't see your name, or would like
the way your name is posted changed, please let me know.)
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IMPORTANT
It has recently come to our attention
that the Dear Doctor letter that we had posted with
the date 8/28/03 was actually approved and dated by
the FDA on June 19, 2003. The FDA states that the letter
was sent out from that date thru August '03. It has
also come to our attention regarding that same letter
that due to it being stated vaguely, a vet has filed
a complaint with the manufacturer because it 'appears'
to only give additional warnings for heartworm positive
dogs.
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Prayers, Well wishes and good thoughts and
healing vibes to...
Bonnie and "Millie," Debra and "Rusty,"
Sharon and "Jaz," Gigi and "Iggy,"
Pat and "Teddy," Mary and "Draco,"
Latasha and "Hershey,"
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Be S.M.A.R.T.
Stop Moxidectin Adverse
Reactions Today! (Thanks
Sue!)
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New Warning!!
Without going into alot of detail
at this point, anyone that hasn't taken their companion
in for heartworm preventative and testing yet, please.......
be sure they do test for 'microfalariae.' It may cost
a few $$ more..... but is worth it. Interceptor label
requires it.
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WARNING!
Since news reports have started on
TV, the moxidectin manufacturer seems to have changed
their advertising to omit the name. Now the ad's only
say "six month injection - ask your vet."
Also last week, I received TWO reports that dogs were
taken in for yearly vaccinations and HeartGard and
were without consent or any information, just GIVEN
the six month injection! Guardians were not aware
of it until after administration.
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| Don't forget Jean Brud's new website "The Pet Guardian" |
Anyone not wanting to
be notified of the next newsletter, please let me know.
Approximately a week or two after I send the link to
you ...... it will be accessible from the Table of Contents. |
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As we all know.......
I had to change the name of the old
website, due to a mistake on my part. In just 3.5 months
we had almost 11,000 hits! I had always thought of expanding
to include other drugs, this just made me do it a little
sooner. I don't see that it takes away from what we
started with ..... after all, our companions that survive
will be going thru the pain and arthritis too!
Now .... I would like to welcome Jean
Townsend and Demitry Herman aboard! They are working
with the NSAIDs Section. They have both lost a companion
to one of the NSAIDs. Jean lost "George"
to Rimadyl® and Demi lost "Jetta"
to Deramaxx®. As you may know, Rimadyl® has
been around for awhile, since 10/96 but Deramaxx®
is fairly new, only approved in 8/02.
If you haven't had a chance to visit
the NSAID Section
yet, please do so. There is a wealth of information
there also. |
Other Drugs
NSAIDs also include Zubrin®, Metacam®
and Etogesic®. We also have a recent story of a
Shar-Pei "Scribbles"
that went thru some pretty rough behavior changes due
to steroids after surgery. |
Please Note: We
are still looking for more NSAID stories. If you hear
of anyone that may be interested, please forward the
information to me. If you know of anyone with an older
dog, be sure to let them know the dangers too! |
NEW: Rabies
1 yr vs 3 yr controversy
Besides legalities of state and counties,
I've found the main difference is the brand or the manufacturer!
I'll be researching other vaccinations to add also. |
Also New
"Changing
Times" some interesting facts and reports there!
Puppy Mills
Many thanks to Dyan for getting us permission to post
"The Horror of Puppy Mills" to go with "Story
of a Puppy Mill Puppy."
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TV Reports: We started
out in Chicago and Boston. Then New York, two stations
in Pennsylvania picked it up and Cincinnati, OH. Steve
Dale, a pet columnist and radio talk show host had Fort
Dodge and Heartworm Society available for questions.
We hit Nashville, TN and Orlando Florida. Dallas TX
is in the making right now. Many thanks to CAPS for
their news connection, to Robert for helping in Orlando.
More thanks to everyone that was interviewed and were
able to tell their stories! I know you were all nervous
about it, but you did well!
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AWARD!
We've earned our first website award! "Your
site is awesome!"
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Special Thanks to Meri! for
finding the blue ribbon for "Free Speech Online
Campaign"
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NSAID Alternative
We've been asked, what could be used
other then pills for pain. Thanks to Patricia of www.floridapets.net
we've learned of "Syn-Flex". |
Individual Websites on freecyberzone
Just wanted to let you know that I'll
be moving these pages within our own site. I discovered
that this host puts 'spyware' on your computer, so please
be sure to run an anti-spyware program. |
FDA Controversy
Emails to different people in the group
from the FDA provide different responses:
3/3 email from Linda Grassie stated:
"There are presently 443 recorded deaths. Eleven
(11) are definitely drug related
and 23 others fall into the probable
range. 298 were scored possibly
drug related and 116 were remotely
drug related."
4/20 email from CVM to one states:
"Information is all current. There is no outstanding
information."
4/20 email summary from Linda Grassie
to another states: "Current as of 2:30 p.m. on
February 10, 4,448 dogs reacted, 418 dogs dead."
"Of the 418 that died, 296 died
and the remaining were euthanized. Of those who died,
77% were determined to be possibly
drug related, 20% remotely
drug related and 3% probably
drug related."
"Of those euthanized, 56% were
determined possibly drug-associated
44% remotely drug associated
and none probably or
definitely drug related."
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FDA: Has anyone
received their evaluation or scorecard? |
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I would like to thank ALL of you for your contributions
and help! We may only be taking baby steps, but we are
moving ahead! ...........................Sincerely,
Laurryn~
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