The first time my eyes met his, it was love at first sight. He was an adorable ball of fur that was around three months old. My eldest daughter, Melissa, was an adoption counselor for the Pennsylvania SPCA. She knew I was looking for a collie or collie-mix and called me when she saw him. We adopted Bandit on February 17, 2001 and he immediately became the center of attention in our family.
On July 17, 2002, Bandit had his first seizure. My husband, Bob, was home with him at the time and immediately rushed him to the veterinarian’s office. I left work and met him there. We were instructed that Phenobarbital was the first line of defense for controlling seizures and that it could take some time to find the proper dosage to control the seizures. Also, that Bandit must have quarterly blood tests to monitor him, especially his liver. From that day on, Bandit usually averaged one seizure per month. This resulted in Bandit also being prescribed potassium bromide.
During February 2004, Bandit stated having one seizure per week. I decided it was time to take him to a neurologist. The neurologist adjusted the dosage of the medications, lowering the Phenobarbital and increasing the potassium bromide. Bandit went back to having about one seizure per month.
During July 2004, Bandit started having problems with his hindquarters, so I decided to take him to the orthopedist at the same facility as his neurologist. This doctor prescribed Rimadyl for two weeks. The doctor knew Bandit’s medical history and that he was a seizure dog currently taking Phenobarbital and potassium bromide. At that time, I did not know the dangers that were involved by taking Rimadyl, especially if the animal had a pre-existing medical condition.
During the week of September 26, 2004, Bandit’s abdomen started getting larger. Also, his feeding and bathroom habits changed. On October 2, 2004, we rushed Bandit to the emergency room at the same veterinary facility. We were there from early in the morning until late in the evening. They performed a battery of tests on Bandit and drained his abdomen of the fluid that had built up there.
The long and short of the story was that Bandit had severe liver disease and we were told to take him home and wait until it was time to cross him over.
On October 27, 2004, it was time. The whole family was present and holding him when the time came. Nothing can explain the sorrow that we felt in letting him go, and at such a young age. It wasn’t until much later that I started hearing that Rimadyl, along with other NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs, can be a very dangerous drug. I have since found out that that since Bandit was on Phenobarbital, he should never have been prescribed Rimadyl and that Bandit’s July 2004 blood work showed signs that something was wrong with his liver. No warning was given by the specialist about the drug, no information sheet was provided and even though he had copies of the July 2004 blood work in his hand, this specialist still prescribed Rimadyl!
I spoke again with the orthopedist on March 4, 2005, he stated he never knew that Phenobarbital and Rimadyl should not be given together, even though Pfizer warns against it and advises that patients should be screened for pre-existing conditions and that CIS (client information sheets) regarding the drug be provided to the owners. This doctor is a specialist who routinely prescribes Rimadyl, and he didn’t know! It took me one phone call to Pfizer to find out! Pfizer first warned veterinarians of the side effects of Rimadyl in May of 1998!
I filed the reports with the FDA, Pfizer and Pennsylvania’s Vet Review Board. PA’s Vet Review Board found no wrong doing on the part of this so-called specialist. When I finally received the FDA report (two years later), I found out that Bandit was already showing signs of liver failure in the July 2004 blood work. Why didn’t this specialist read the blood work-I provided it!
PA State Senator Michael Stack currently has senate bills to change our laws and require veterinarians to pre-screen prior to dispensing NSAIDs and to give CIS sheets to owners. Had this been done when Bandit saw the orthopedist, I would have declined the drug. I already knew that Bandit was susceptible to liver disease and wouldn’t have taken a chance with him. If you are a Pennsylvania resident, please contact your state legislator and request their assistance in changing the State Veterinary Review Board laws and their support of PA State Senator Stack’s bill. If you don’t live in Pennsylvania, check the laws in your state! You can make a difference!
It’s too late for Bandit, but maybe we can save your companion!
Denise
(updated 2/07)
