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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - ? Dosage Frontline/Heartguard Survey
| I just wanted to ask all of you if you think there is a connection between the med DOSAGE and the dogs that are getting sick with AIHA. This has been bothering me for some time. These drugs have too much of a weight fluctuation-under 20 lbs, 25-50 lbs, etc. I always felt a 10 lb fluctuation would be more appropriate. Could it be that the overmedication is responsible instead of the drug itself because so many dogs take these without getting sick. I in no way am implying an excuse for these drug companies that lie to us, just raising an issue. According to Janet's survey, it seemed lots of small dogs were sick. If what I suspect is true, perhaps we could make an impact with the drug companies and force them to make these drugs with a 10 lb weight difference instead of 25 lbs. My Brady got sick 2 weeks after taking Heartguard plus. He weighed 28 lbs,(2 yr old cocker spaniel) and was on the 25-50 lb dose. When I used to put Frontline on him, I never put it all on him because I felt the 25-50 lb dose was too much. I also stretched out the times-2-3 months for Frontline, 5 weeks for Heartguard and never gave them in the winter-no fleas or mosquitos in the Northeast this time of year. The Frontline was easy to reduce, the Hearguard was not. He lost the battle 4 weeks later, it has been since May, and even though we have another one, our house is still so empty without him-I honestly don't think I will ever get over the fact that he was taken away so young. |
| Sandy NH |
| Sandy, flea related control products are DANGEROUS to the point of being fatal. After 17 months caring for an AIHA dog who became sick after a second dose (in 6 weeks) of Frontline plus and spending $9,000 in vet expenses including 4 blood transfusions) I have gathered the following info.: Vets are making a fortune from flea control/heart guard products. Most I have conferred with (except the homeopathic vets) still spout support of these products even when they truly do not know and have collected very little data regarding the safety of the products. These products are made from PESTICIDES. Your pet is ingesting or/infiltrating through the skin severe toxicity. How can that be allowed, you ask? Try and get a response from the EPA. Your government natch, not doing its job. The products that are supposed to protect our pets are POISONING them. Just try to communicate with the mega million pharmaceutical companies. They'll tell you to prove it. They dare you. They almost laugh in your face. When I wrote (two) letters to Merial (manufacturers of Frontline) their resident vet, a Dr. Dixon, refused to provide me with clinical study data showing the proven safety quality control of the product. She gave me every excuse in the book of why my boy could have become ill...none blaming Frontline. Dogs continue to become sick, the veterinary community gathers more $$...they continue to sell the products. The pharmaceutical companies giving nice bonuses to the veterinary community, I am sure. No accountability, apparently. It's a vicious circle. Don't ask how angry I am. I'm just not sure we have any control. Jan |
| Jan philly |
| Jan, I never even remotely meant to defend the drug companies and stated that in my post. I am merely curious to see if there is a correlation between dose and illness because of the huge weight fluctuation of these products. We will never get these products off the market, but maybe if we had supporing data that the dosage is a contributing factor, then maybe we can have an impact. The same product should not be used for both a 28 lb dog and a 49 lb dog, ditto for a 20 lb dog and one that weighs only 6 lbs. I wish I could have my dogs go completely drug free, but we all live in parts of the country where that is impossible, unless you have a 100% house dog or cat, and even then vaccinations are required because they would have contact with other pets at the vet, groomer, etc. It really is a no win situation for us. Sandy |
| Sandy NH |
| I remember asking my ex-vet about the heartworm dosage as my dog is 56 lbs. and falls in the 51-100lb range...I asked if I could give her PART of the tablet to which he said *no, the whole one is necessary and it will not harm her*. That is what I've been doing...however I decided to go 45 days between. I just feel very nervous whenever I give anything like this. I use NO flea preventive...I put a holistic spray on Tillie which is herbs and olive oil...it's great and even relieves itching. BTW, when I got a product from my ev-vet for Tillie's hayfever itching it cost $28.00 AND get this: *WHEN APPLYING THIS TO YOUR DOG, PLEASE USE GLOVES.* ??????? If I have to wear gloves, what is this going to do to my dog? I used it once or twice in desperation...and no more. Mrs. Gates |
| Mrs. Gates Michigan |
This thread was discussed between 10/01/2008 and 18/01/2008
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