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Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Safety concerns using metronidazole
| I know many dogs here have used this and I think some have been on it long term for GI issues. Wylie was on it for a short time a few months ago for gas. I brought up my concern to the vet about liver disease since Wylies ALT was so high (It was coming down after being off of pred) then went back up because I did my research and saw the liver warning and he said oh no thats not a problem at all. Well I just got a newsletter from one of my nateral pet sites and it said never give a dog that has liver or renal problems metronidazole and that its not approved for use in dogs by teh FDA, not that that means a lot So I am wondering if this is the cause of her liver problems. Just wondering others peoples thoughts. Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| Laurie, Metrondiazole can have a few significant side effects when used LONG TERM at HIGH DOSES. For short term use at lower doses, there probably aren't going to be serious and permanent side effects. Of course I can't say that for all dogs and situations. I had Chance on it for a fairly long time (4 weeks?) at very low doses (1/4 tablet) and that was just the ticket to improve his small intestinal bacterial overgrowth SIBO. If I had not treated him, he would have continually not been able to digest and utilize his food well. Vets learn how these drugs work on dogs and when they prescribe them they have a back pocket full of experience with how to use them. Off label use of human meds in animals is very common and generally considered safe. You should always ask your vet about side effects of new meds and what to be looking for. High dose, long term use of metrondiazole can have neurological side effects in dogs. Any drug that is even partially metabolized by the liver will have warnings like that because it makes the liver work when it is in a compromised state. And that can also be said for foods as well. Eating a lot of red meat when your liver is compromised is also very bad for it because it must try to process the red blood cells in the meat. There are so many things the liver metabolizes that it would be tough to just look at one thing and blame it. Talk with your vet next time you are there and go over a whole list of things that might also be contributing to this higher alt. my best patrice |
| Patrice NYS |
| Patrice, thank you for responding, that was you I remember that had no problems with long term use and low dose I wasn't real concerned about the drug until I got that newsletter so I am probably fretting about that for nothing. Its just hard after what she went thru and how long it took us to identify her bad reaction to the denemirin (the Sam E part) I think our next step is to get her teeth cleaned since a gum infection can cause liver problems, she does have a few red areas. That darn list is endless the things that can cause liver problems. How is Chance doing with his ACL recovery? I conversed with you the beginning of the year after my 12 year old lab had a torn ACL. We chose not to do surgery because my vet thought it was partial. Jake is doing great, he is 96# and can jump up on my high bed! Laurie |
| Laurie CA |
| My Kent was constantly prescribed metro, and i got to hating it, feeling like it caused or contributed to his kidney disease. The thing is, i think, if it is going to work it will do so pretty quickly, but if not, then no amount will do it. IT is the same as human flagyl, which we get for giardia. If you have ever taken it, it makes you feel awful. Kents dose was the same as my dose, so i cant imagine how poorly he felt. His stool became black and bloody, and i stopped using it. I later learned onthe k9kidney list that a good and effective alternative is Tylan. This i discussed with my vet, and he was surprised, and said fine. I used it with Kent, and we never had the problems again as from the metro. He did have gas and diarrhea on and off but not from aiha but from other problems that i wonder if they werent contributed to by the metro. Also, my mom's dog was constantly taking metro for diarrhea and gas - a non aiha dog - with a mystery stomach issue that no one can diagnose. I suggested Tylan and my mom checked with her vet and holistic vet, and both said that was fine, the holistic vet in particular was very supportive of that. Metro just shouldnt be given as often as it seems to be. Fine now and then, say once a year for a few days, but more? I dont know. I dont like it. This is all my opinion, so please also read Patrices comments (she knows alot!) and also check with your vet. Christine |
| Christine Fl |
This thread was discussed between 17/09/2009 and 18/09/2009
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