Drug reaction to deracoxib - as posted on the Internet

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This is quite long, but please read and cross-post (which means forward) to other lists.

My name is Lew Fadale. I live in Highland, Michigan and my dog just recently experienced a tragic adverse reaction to the "New Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) called "Deramaxx". This drug is produced by an International Company named "Novartis". Oslo (my dog) was not able to recover after diureses for (48) hours. The Vet recommended we put him down because he was in such tremendous pain. His nitrogen and creatine blood levels were continuing to elevate instead of stabilizing or decreasing. He was suffering from renal (kidney) failure. On Saturday, December 21, 2002, we had our beloved Oslo put to sleep to end his suffering.

The accompanying insert for the drug, which we had to ask for after the fact, did not comment on any potential adverse reactions concerning kidney problems. The only thing mentioned was the typical gastroenteritis (stomach irritation) as the main problem. No kidney problems were mentioned!

My dog Oslo ( 12 1/2 year old Norwegian Elkhound) suffered renal failure after being on Deramaxx at half the dosage for (18) days. The local Veterinarian prescribed this drug in lieu of Rimadyl because of its reported "no or minimal side effects". This drug, I have found, was released to the prescribing Vet community in September 2002. My Vet prescribed (1/2 a tablet) once a day for (10) days and stated if needed I could continue until the dosage was expended and could refill the prescription anytime. He prescribed 100mg tablets, which were scored and supplied to me (10) tablets, enough for (20) days being that I was to provide my pet only 1/2 a tablet each day. I continued to supply my dog a 1/2 tablet once a day beyond the (10) days because his measured response to the medication did not indicate he was improving or healed. Oslo was in excellent health save for a slight limp in his left leg prior to the administration of Deramaxx. I brought him to the Vet thinking he would prescribe Rimadyl, which Oslo had taken successfully a few years back that had been prescribed by a different Vet. The current Vet said Deramaxx was the new drug of choice for arthritis.

After Oslo started developing difficulty in standing and ability to control his muscles, I stopped giving him the medication and started researching the drug. I found, after going on the Internet via www.google.com, several websites that provided some information on this drug. I found that this drug was intended for "post orthopedic surgery" and recommended for only (7) days by the manufacturer, Novartis. At that point, I realized even though the dosage had been administered below the normal recommended level that Oslo was probably having a reaction to the drug, but he had already gone far too long on the drug to hope for recovery. The symptoms Oslo was having with this drug were similar ones to those posted on the www.srdogs.com website for Rimadyl.

I would like all those that view this article to learn and inform other pet owners to hopefully avoid this similar tragic mistake. Deramaxx is supposed to be given for "post orthopedic surgery" not arthritis. Even if its use could be interpreted as an anti-inflammatory to stem arthritis, the drug was not to be used beyond (7) days according to the manufacturer, Novartis.

The reaction my Oslo had with Deramaxx proves one can not be too careful when it comes to Vets prescribing medication, even if the manufacturer states the side effects are minimal. It only takes one animal to have a reaction beyond what the manufacturer claims to deem it risky at best!

I wish I had only looked at the www.srdogs.com website prior to my dog's dilemma and perhaps I could have prevented the untimely death of my buddy. We will never use that Vet again and will never trust a Vet prescribing medication without first looking at the packaged drug insert and then checking on the Internet for examples of adverse reactions in pets that maybe posted as experienced by other pet owners.

The www.srdogs.com website is performing a valuable service to all pet owners! Thanks for their well researched information.

Anyone reading this information may copy, reprint and share this article with others! This is factual information that has not been sensationalized, embellished, nor exaggerated. I hold both myself and my Vet responsible. Can I prove my dog had a reaction to Deramaxx? No! An autopsy was not done, and even if one had been, I am not sure it could have proven that the drug induced renal failure. All I can tell you is like the many sad and horrible stories published on the "www.srdogs.com" website concerning pet owners who had administered Rimadyl to their pets, likewise, my dog exhibited many of the same symptoms of which prior to the administration of Deramaxx he was healthy and lively. Pet owners beware of all prescription drugs available for pets. Only by knowledge of the drug through reading the packaged insert, full and open discussions with your Vet and yes, your own exhaustive investigative research via the Internet can you hope to avoid dangerous side effects that could lead to long term harm or death to your beloved companions! Therefore, be alert and be informed. Your pet can not take of their own best interests, only you can!

I hope I have helped those of you out there that may be looking at using the new drug Deramaxx. It may help and resolve the problem, but then again it may not. Know the symptoms of drug reaction.

Best Regards!

Lewis J. Fadale Jr.