Vaccine Memorial

 

Rainbows Bridge

 

Miscellaneous Warnings

Flea Products

"Max"

(approx) January 2(approx) 2001 -- June 13, 2004ne 13, 2004

 

A Tragic fatal reaction to 'Annual Shots'

 


Max, was an abused Boxer Mastiff we had adopted from the SPCA and nourished back into the most adorable, if timid, darling. He came into our lives and taught us much.

For the first few months with us he did not even bark. We had to give him a lot of TLC, let him on our bed, cuddled him, and received a lot in return. He did not seek much, was most well behaved, very loving. I console myself in the knowledge that we perhaps gave him the best and most comfortable time in his short life.

He had his routine annual shots at 1:30 PM on Friday June 12th at the Hopewell Animal Hospital. Specifically he received:

1. Duramune Max 5 DPP Lot 116632A exp date 10 Feb 06 (C) manufactured by Fort Dodge.
2. 1161Leptospira Canicola 1ml dose Lot # 350145A exp date 19Dec 05 (3501C) manufactured by Fort Dodge.
3. Lyme Medicine Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacterial Extract for protection against Lyme Disease Lot 41203 exp date 12 Feb 06 manufactured by Merial
4. Bordetella 1, 1 ml dose lot # 70-206F exp date 21 Oct 05 manufactured by Biocor Animal Health


Max has had these shots earlier. He showed visible discomfort by 2:30PM. I called the vet's office and they asked me to observe him.

2:45 PM: very labored but successful attempt at climbing a few steps to our loft
3:15 PM: listless; just lying around; no inclination even to get on his favorite deck
3:45 PM: seeking darker corners in the room; labored breathing
5:15 unable to move much; collapses onto his bed; we carry him in a comforter to van

When things got worse they paged the vet who finally saw him at 5:30PM.

5:30-6:15PM: the vet despeartely seeks to find a vein; finally finds one after 45 minutes
6:30-9PM: several drips given; exteremities very cold; massages and electric blanket
8-9PM: X-Rays and more drips

 

They kept him at the hospital until 9PM and discharged him stating that they had done all that they could. I brought him home....

9-9:15: back home. I place him down and ask him if he can walk; he waks ten steps or so
9:15: cannot climb up two steps; makes a beeline for water bowl; drinks but has no strength drops into bowl.
9:30-4:20AM: In visible distress; drinks A LOT of water; also throws up twice-just water; labored breathing; exhausted;
3:45-4:20AM: Passes gas, some spotty stools; very labored breathing
4:20AM: Looks up at us; one last gasp and dies.

 

Max died at 4:20AM on Saturday June 13th.

I asked for an autopsy. The same vet who attended, performed the autopsy and informed me that there was nothing abnormal and that Max died of an anapylactic shot.

We are devastated and are sharing this to caution other dog lovers of the impending dangers. We took a happy active pet demonstrating no health problems and are vexed by what happened.

Sincerely,

Suresh Kumar