Comments on: What the FDA wants your vet to tell you http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/ The Web blog of the Pet Connection, a pet-care feature syndicated internationally by Universal Press. Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:48:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Colorado Transplant http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-248696 Colorado Transplant Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:08:18 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-248696 After suffering with side effects from medicines given to me at various times, I question any drug given to me or my pets. For a long time I have felt that it is up to me to research the facts after my doctor or my veterinarian tell me what to do. It is my health and my cats' that is involved. As to human drugs for cats, in New England I was given a human eye medicine for my cat. Unfortunately it was not prescribed here in Colorado. But I did get some feline medicine which cured her eye, anyway. It was very frustrating not being able to get the human medicine--but he is a very caring and careful veterinarian so I am grateful for that. After suffering with side effects from medicines given to me at various times, I question any drug given to me or my pets.

For a long time I have felt that it is up to me to research the facts after my doctor or my veterinarian tell me what to do. It is my health and my cats’ that is involved.

As to human drugs for cats, in New England I was given a human eye medicine for my cat. Unfortunately it was not prescribed here in Colorado. But I did get some feline medicine which cured her eye, anyway.

It was very frustrating not being able to get the human medicine—but he is a very caring and careful veterinarian so I am grateful for that.

]]> By: Christie Keith http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-248659 Christie Keith Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:31:20 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-248659 I'm extremely sorry for your loss. I'm sorry that your vet did not properly inform you of the risks, the side effects, or what to do if he had any of them. All those things are tragic and unfortunate, and my heart aches for you. But telling people not to use NSAIDs for their dogs when pain itself causes people to euthanize their pets, causes suffering, is an over-reaction born from understandable grief. Properly used, these medications can extend life and improve quality of life enormously. Again, I'm very sorry for your loss. I’m extremely sorry for your loss. I’m sorry that your vet did not properly inform you of the risks, the side effects, or what to do if he had any of them. All those things are tragic and unfortunate, and my heart aches for you.

But telling people not to use NSAIDs for their dogs when pain itself causes people to euthanize their pets, causes suffering, is an over-reaction born from understandable grief. Properly used, these medications can extend life and improve quality of life enormously.

Again, I’m very sorry for your loss.

]]> By: Wendy Beible http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-248653 Wendy Beible Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:57:33 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-248653 Our Dog Cameron was given Zubrin for his arthritis and because of all the side effects for which the vet never talked to us about, he developed bloody diarrhea, confusion, depression, not eating, not drinking, and when we took him to the vet, his white blood count was unusually high. Probably because he was in so much pain. We had to put him down. I couldn't see him suffering anymore. He was only on the drug a little less than a month. The vet did not tell us to stop the drug if any of these symptoms occurred. I stopped the drug when it was too late. He died 4/07/2008. He will be missed very much. DO NOT PUT ANY DOG ON ANY NSAIDS INCLUDING ZUBRIN. IT IS TOXIC TO DOGS AND CATS. WARNING WARNING WARNING Our Dog Cameron was given Zubrin for his arthritis and because of all the side effects for which the vet never talked to us about, he developed bloody diarrhea, confusion, depression, not eating, not drinking, and when we took him to the vet, his white blood count was unusually high. Probably because he was in so much pain. We had to put him down. I couldn’t see him suffering anymore. He was only on the drug a little less than a month. The vet did not tell us to stop the drug if any of these symptoms occurred. I stopped the drug when it was too late. He died 4/07/2008. He will be missed very much. DO NOT PUT ANY DOG ON ANY NSAIDS INCLUDING ZUBRIN. IT IS TOXIC TO DOGS AND CATS. WARNING WARNING WARNING

]]> By: The OTHER Pat http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239578 The OTHER Pat Mon, 10 Mar 2008 13:34:04 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239578 And then there are all those vets, doctors, etc. who resent it when you do your own research instead of just following their instructions, no questions asked. Sometimes it seems you can't win for losing . . . . . . . . . . . And then there are all those vets, doctors, etc. who resent it when you do your own research instead of just following their instructions, no questions asked.

Sometimes it seems you can’t win for losing . . . . . . . . . . .

]]> By: slt http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239543 slt Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:47:45 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239543 "Being an informed consumer is YOUR job not the job of the person selling you something even if the law tries to make it be their job." Sure Nancy but I rely on professionals in various fields to help me when I seek their services. It's reasonable to expect that my Vet will give me proper information and guidance just as I expect my plumber to do the same. “Being an informed consumer is YOUR job not the job of the person selling you something even if the law tries to make it be their job.”

Sure Nancy but I rely on professionals in various fields to help me when I seek their services. It’s reasonable to expect that my Vet will give me proper information and guidance just as I expect my plumber to do the same.

]]> By: Schnitzie http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239445 Schnitzie Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:34:04 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239445 I took my kitty to a "holistic" vet in my neighborhood around the same time that that vet was profiled on CBS Sunday morning for her "forward-thinking" approach. My kitty, a new rescue, had had chronic diarrhea for 9 months. Our mainstream vet had prescribed prednisolone, without any warnings about the risks of steroids. I looked it up on the Internet myself *before* giving it to her and chose not to administer and get a second opinion instead. First, the holistic vet gave me a lecture on "food allergies," (which I later learned meant "I don't know squat about what's wrong with your cat"). Two days later, she had the receptionist call me to pick up a prescription for Panicur. The vet had said nothing about this to me, and I had to ask the receptionist what it was and why it was being prescribed. The receptionist conveyed my question back to the vet, and then the vet had the *receptionist* call me back to tell me! This ticked me off. When this so-called "holistic" vet did the same routine with a prescription for Albon -- with all communication coming and going through the receptionist -- I lost all confidence in the vet. I was furious. I booked another appointment with the vet just so I could TALK to her. In the meantime, I had done a great deal of research on raw feeding for cats and wanted to give it a try. So I asked the "holistic" vet what she thought. She told me to hold off while we tried some other things first. Since her idea of trying other things was to give drugs without an explanation, and since the baby food she had me feed my kitty this whole time only made kitty's poo into pudding, I said, "Eff it," and tried the raw diet anyway. Kitty was CURED within 10 days on raw diet. This whole experience really turned me onto the sloppiness of veterinary practice, and these were vets with active practices in a major US city. I'm just glad that it is MY habit that I do not put ANYTHING into my kitties without first researching it thoroughly on the net AND asking the vet questions about it. Fortunately my pets have never been in such an urgent condition that the delay in administering meds has not been an issue. I took my kitty to a “holistic” vet in my neighborhood around the same time that that vet was profiled on CBS Sunday morning for her “forward-thinking” approach. My kitty, a new rescue, had had chronic diarrhea for 9 months. Our mainstream vet had prescribed prednisolone, without any warnings about the risks of steroids.

I looked it up on the Internet myself *before* giving it to her and chose not to administer and get a second opinion instead.

First, the holistic vet gave me a lecture on “food allergies,” (which I later learned meant “I don’t know squat about what’s wrong with your cat”). Two days later, she had the receptionist call me to pick up a prescription for Panicur. The vet had said nothing about this to me, and I had to ask the receptionist what it was and why it was being prescribed. The receptionist conveyed my question back to the vet, and then the vet had the *receptionist* call me back to tell me! This ticked me off.

When this so-called “holistic” vet did the same routine with a prescription for Albon — with all communication coming and going through the receptionist — I lost all confidence in the vet. I was furious. I booked another appointment with the vet just so I could TALK to her.

In the meantime, I had done a great deal of research on raw feeding for cats and wanted to give it a try. So I asked the “holistic” vet what she thought. She told me to hold off while we tried some other things first. Since her idea of trying other things was to give drugs without an explanation, and since the baby food she had me feed my kitty this whole time only made kitty’s poo into pudding, I said, “Eff it,” and tried the raw diet anyway.

Kitty was CURED within 10 days on raw diet. This whole experience really turned me onto the sloppiness of veterinary practice, and these were vets with active practices in a major US city.

I’m just glad that it is MY habit that I do not put ANYTHING into my kitties without first researching it thoroughly on the net AND asking the vet questions about it. Fortunately my pets have never been in such an urgent condition that the delay in administering meds has not been an issue.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239415 Nancy Mon, 10 Mar 2008 04:05:51 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239415 Hmm better rethink that Adequan shot as safe - it can be an issue in diabetic animals as can glucosamine. Nothing is safe when it comes to meds. Those 'supplements' may not even contain anything listed on the label or have the items in completely different amounts than listed. The more you know about your own meds or your animal's meds the safer you all may be. No one cares as much about your health or your animals' health as you do. Being an informed consumer is YOUR job not the job of the person selling you something even if the law tries to make it be their job. Hmm better rethink that Adequan shot as safe - it can be an issue in diabetic animals as can glucosamine.
Nothing is safe when it comes to meds.
Those ‘supplements’ may not even contain anything listed on the label or have the items in completely different amounts than listed.
The more you know about your own meds or your animal’s meds the safer you all may be.
No one cares as much about your health or your animals’ health as you do. Being an informed consumer is YOUR job not the job of the person selling you something even if the law tries to make it be their job.

]]> By: Annette Woods http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239349 Annette Woods Sun, 09 Mar 2008 19:03:51 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-239349 My 14 year old cocker spanial suffered recurring staff infection over a year.I repeatedly asked the vetenary staff if the frontlin or advantage could be linked and was always told it was the flee alergy. She started having flee alergies after begining the flee repelent tx.Finally aftter stopping the meds for 3 months my sweet heart is well. My 14 year old cocker spanial suffered recurring staff infection over a year.I repeatedly asked the vetenary staff if the frontlin or advantage could be linked and was always told it was the flee alergy. She started having flee alergies after begining the flee repelent tx.Finally aftter stopping the meds for 3 months my sweet heart is well.

]]> By: Christie Keith http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-234537 Christie Keith Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:34:36 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-234537 I'm so very sorry you lost your pet, Torri. :( I’m so very sorry you lost your pet, Torri. :(

]]> By: Torri Duffy http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-234518 Torri Duffy Wed, 27 Feb 2008 04:19:09 +0000 http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2007/10/08/what-the-fda-wants-your-vet-to-tell-you/#comment-234518 My 8 year old dog shelby,had bloodword done on jan,7,08,then had a marble sized lump removed from his groin area,in which both came back 100 percent perfect,he did not look well when i picked him up,got him home he had problems walking on hind leg,quit eating and drinking,i phoned the vet,they did not seem to really care,I then noticed weight loss,the runs,not sleeping,eating,had my records transfered,got second opinion,vet number 2 did not understand it,because blood was great,from 1st vet,that night my dog passed away,I then did reserch on the drug metacam,and my dog had all of the side effects,so my family and i lost our pet we had for 9 years,because she gave him this drug during surgery,she did not get my consent,did not tell me she was giving this to him,and did not do any tests on him before or after surgery,administering this drug without my consent killed my dog.it was like losing a child.I had soon after reported this vet to the college of vets, because It was just wrong,it has devistated my entire family terribly. My 8 year old dog shelby,had bloodword done on jan,7,08,then had a marble sized lump removed from his groin area,in which both came back 100 percent perfect,he did not look well when i picked him up,got him home he had problems walking on hind leg,quit eating and drinking,i phoned the vet,they did not seem to really care,I then noticed weight loss,the runs,not sleeping,eating,had my records transfered,got second opinion,vet number 2 did not understand it,because blood was great,from 1st vet,that night my dog passed away,I then did reserch on the drug metacam,and my dog had all of the side effects,so my family and i lost our pet we had for 9 years,because she gave him this drug during surgery,she did not get my consent,did not tell me she was giving this to him,and did not do any tests on him before or after surgery,administering this drug without my consent killed my dog.it was like losing a child.I had soon after reported this vet to the college of vets, because It was just wrong,it has devistated my entire family terribly.

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