Memorials

 

Rainbows Bridge

 

"Ruby"

June 17, 1992 - May 24, 2004

Ruby was an awesome yellow lab dog we sometimes called "Ben".

Rudy was always so healthy and happy. She had a litter of pups and was the best mom. As she grew older she acquired arthritis. Her birthday was June 17 and she would have been 12 yrs old.

On May 21, 2004, I took her to the vet that she knew and she was always happy to go see. Rudy had a limp of the right front leg. She was diagnosed with arthritis and they gave me Deramaxx 100mg po 1/2 tab Qam. Three doses later, she had all the symptoms of an adverse reaction.

The vet clinic has been horrible to me and now won't even talk to me. They told me not to bring her in.... to "just watch her." When I did take her in, one vet said that she was 3/4 gone and she had to finish her, insisting on cremating her. Then she coldly and rudely turned her back on us and left the room .They are now denying any part of Ruby's death. They sent me a bill stating they spayed my cat, who is 11 yr old Siamese and they didn't even have the nerve to write 'Ruby' on the bill.

Since then, I have formally filed a complaint with the FDA, the Colorado State Vet Board and the manufacturer "Novartis" (who is paying the vet bill,is that admission of guilt?) The State Board has sent the vet my complaint and it is mandatory for them to reply or suspension of their license. This will all be brought into the bi- monthly State Board meeting and a decision on how to deal with the malpractice behavior will be determined.

My Ruby should be laying next to me right now, but because of their ignorance and lack of knowlege or concern... she is dead. Vets aren't warning owners about the adverse reactions or giving client information sheets. .I thought you were supposed to be able to trust your vet. This must stop. What is this all about? MONEY....Not the well being of our animals.

My Ruby is very much missed and never to be forgotten. She loved us all unconditionally for almost 12 yrs. Who could ask for more? Please pass this on to others about Deramaxx and Rimadyl, they are poison. I thank DogsAdverseReactions for offering this chance to tell Ruby's story, it is very much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Cindi Conant

*In the name of Ruby and all the dogs*.

 

 

"Rusty"

January 2004 - June 6, 2004

I had gotten "Rusty" for my son Christmas 2003

 

I lost our 6 month old cha-winny dog on Sunday 6/6/04 after only 2 doses of rimadyl.

I had gotten "Rusty" for my son this past Christmas because due to an unforseeable accident he
had lost his 1st puppy in June of 03. Rusty has been the highlight of our lives for the past 5 months. My son had gone to visit his father in Dallas until the end of July and I had to face telling
him that his precious Rusty is gone.

On Friday night of 6/4/04, Rusty woke up whining about every hour. I stayed up all night Friday night with him and contacted the vet in our small town Saturday morning 6/5/04. He examined Rusty stating all vitals were good and couldn't explain why he was crying out. He asked if he'd
gotten hurt somehow. I told him no. He claim that it might be a sprang or a bruised muscle.

He gave me a bottle of Rimadyl 25mg broken into quarters. Said it was an antiflammatory medication and
to give it to Rusty 1 time every 24 hrs and that I might not see much result for 2-3 days.

He didn't warn my of any side effects at all. Boy, did I learn about them over the next 48 hours.

Rusty continued to cry out... only now worse. So bad that he became hoarse.
He wouldn't eat or drink. I fed him honey and pedilite for the rest
of the time trying to keep up his strength. He was so fragile. He only weighed 3 lbs.

Sunday morning 6/6/04 Rusty began to have seizures.
This was after only 2 doses.
He would sleep so hard after each seizure.
I tried contacting the vet to see if this could be a side effect, but to no avail.
Rusty got to the point that he acted like he was partially paralized in the back quarters.
He became delirious in pain.
He would drag his body in circle with his front feet and urinate uncontrolably.

Rusty seemed to still be conscious enough to know my voice and would attempt to wag his tail.

At 4:47 pm Sunday 6/6 our little Rusty died.

I would like to do all I can to try to help get this medication off the market and help make others become aware of what can happen. I'm not sure that the medication did this ...... but it stands to reason that it sure didn't help. Should this medication have been given to such a small dog?

April