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galgrey

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    Dr. Couto Coming To Metzger Animal Hospital, State College, Pa.

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Saw this on Facebook (Greyhounds in Gettysburg page).

     

     

     

    GREYT NEWS! I wanted to share with you that as of December 2013, I will be seeing Greyhounds and other sighthounds at Metzger Animal Hospital, State College, PA. Initially I will limit the visits to medicine, surgery, and oncology patients, but we will be opening a Greyhound Wellness and Dental Clinic with the MAH Team in the near future. Although I will be physically in the clinic only 2-4 days a month, I will be intimately involved in your Greyhound’s care via telemedicine, phone, and/or videoconferencing with the Doctors at MAH, since I will have on-line access to all their medical records, images (X-rays, CT scan), lab work, and other items.

    Metzger Animal Hospital (MAH) is a 7-doctor 10,000 square foot general and referral practice located in State College, PA. It is the only practice in Central Pennsylvania which received dual certification (general and referral) by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Our team consists of 7 veterinarians (3 board certified specialists and 1 certified in rehabilitation), 1 veterinary certified chiropractor, 13 certified veterinary technicians, 8 veterinary assistants, 1 certified rehabilitation assistant, and 6 reception team members and 6 physical plant assistants. We have the area’s only CT (CAT scan) and canine rehabilitation center (underwater and land treadmill, therapy laser, TENS, e-stim). We perform advanced surgeries including orthopedic, laparoscopic and neurosurgery. We do emergencies and are available 24 hours a day year 365 days a year.

    For appointments please call 814-237-5333. Hope to see you soon,

    Guillermo

    Controversy Over Trifexis Continues

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by galgrey

    The following article is from the latest issue of "Dogs Naturally" magazine. I'm posting it for informational purposes . Yes, I've read the AMVA's official statement: "A summary of the pathology/necropsy reports from an independent pathologist has determined that the cause of deaths were unrelated to the administration of Trifexis®. The summary was derived from the individual pathology/necropsy reports which led attending veterinarians to also conclude that Trifexis® was not the cause of death."

     

    It is not my intent to make anyone mad or start trouble here. I just want to provide this as information. If I were giving this drug to my dogs or even considering giving it, I would want to know about these deaths so I could make a more informed decision re: using it.

     

     

    The Heartworm Medication Trifexis Is Causing Dog Deaths

     

    There have been many reports this week of the heartworm drug Trifexis® being responsible for the deaths of 700 pets this year. That’s 120 more than have died from eating Chinese chicken jerky. And just like the jerky, veterinarians and the FDA are slow to do anything about it.

    What Is Trifexis®?

     

    Trifexis is a multipurpose heartworm, flea and parasite prevention medication that’s been on the market for nearly three years. It contains two active ingredients: spinosad and milbemycin oxime. In Trifexis® clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (in order) were vomiting, depression/lethargy, pruritus, anorexia, diarrhea, trembling/shaking, ataxia, seizures, hypersalivation, skin reddening. But pet owners are reporting these reactions with alarming frequency and, so far, 700 deaths have been reported.

     

    Spinosad is a broad insect pest spectrum used as a pesticide on crops since 1997. Insects treated with spinosad show involuntary muscle contractions and tremors resulting from activation of motor neurons, with prolong hyperexcitation resulting in prostration, paralysis and death in fleas – often within minutes of taking the drug.

     

    Spinosad is also the active ingredient in Comfortis® and also Natroba for human head lice. It kills through both contact and ingestion but is much more effective if insects ingest it. Spinosad is not listed on US EPA list or CA Prop 65 list, which suggests it’s not been found to be carcinogenic.

     

    It appears to be well known that spinosad can interact badly with ivermectin (Heartgard®). A study found ivermectin toxicity in dogs when given in conjunction with spinosad (Comfortis®). The findings suggest that spinosad increases the risk of ivermectin neurotoxicity by inhibiting the secretion of ivermectin to increase systemic drug levels and by inhibiting P-gp at the blood-brain barrier. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21321059)

     

    Trifexis® and Comfortis® both carry warnings about this on their websites. Vomiting, loose stools, bloody diarrhea were the most common adverse reactions during Comfortis® trials. There are also some reports of seizure like symptoms, lethargy, weight loss and respiratory issues.

     

    There are lots of anecdotal reports of dogs suffering severe vomiting, stomach issues, lethargy, lack of appetite, kidney failure, seizure-like symptoms, vestibular symptoms and death after being dosed with Comfortis®. Many of these stories can be found in the comments under this veterinary article advocating Comfortis as a wonder drug.

     

    The second active ingredient in Trifexis®, milbemycin oxime (trade name Interceptor), is also used in Milbemax (with praziquantel), and Sentinel Flavor Tabs (with lufenuron). It acts by binding to glutamate gated chloride ion channels in invertebrate nerve and muscle cells, causing paralysis and death of the parasites. It may also act by disrupting the transmission of invertebrate neurotransmitters.

     

    Adverse effects reported for milbemycin show (in order of frequency) 9,359 instances of it being ineffective against heartworm, vomiting (2453), diarrhea, ineffective against ascarids, depression/lethargy, ineffective against hookworms, whipworms, anorexia and many more.

    Adverse Effects

    Reporter Jim Strickland from Atlanta has obtained the detailed clinical reports on the adverse events from Trifexis®. In its short life, the drug has resulted in the following reports:

    trifexis-single-500x500.jpgEmesis: 23,360 number of times reported
    Lethargy: 7,366
    Lack of Efficacy: 5,707
    Vomiting: 4,570
    Ineffective, fleas: 2,870
    Diarrhea: 2,468
    Behavioral disorders: 1,448
    Seiaures: 1,363
    Pruritis: 1,044
    Anorexia: 1,028
    Itching: 1,017
    Ataxia: 953
    Shaking: 930
    Ineffective: hookworms: 916
    Ineffective: heart worm larvae: 810

     

    This in addition to the 700 reported deaths. However, the FDA said that while it’s heard the complaints and is monitoring the product, there’s no link between Trifexis® and the death of any dogs. The manufacturer of Trifexis®, Elanco, also states they are monitoring the deaths although there’s no indication of this on their website.

     

    Keep Calm And Carry On

    In the face of the recent surge of complaints, the AVMA issued the following statement:

    “Today, we received an update. A summary of the pathology/necropsy reports from an independent pathologist has determined that the cause of deaths were unrelated to the administration of Trifexis®. The summary was derived from the individual pathology/necropsy reports which led attending veterinarians to also conclude that Trifexis® was not the cause of death.”

     

    Who was the independent pathologist? Jeffery A Engelhardt, who was employed by the manufacturer of Trifexis®, Eli0Lilly/Elanco, from 1985-2004. It appears that he might not be as independent as the AVMA indicates.

     

    So the veterinary association isn’t yet willing to act on the reports and they’re relying on information that is likely produced by the drug manufacturer. This shouldn’t come as a surprise however – when dogs and cats were getting ill and dying from tainted pet food, the veterinary associations supported the pet food manufacturers and encouraged pet owners to keep feeding kibble – a position that cost many more pets their lives.

     

    Despite the AVMA’s position, the complaints of Trifexis® related deaths and adverse events continue. The Facebook page, TrifexisKillsDogs, contains many stories and updates on the product and accusations.

     

    Beth Timms said her dog, Gizmo, was lethargic, suffered vertigo, seizures and a 106 degree fever after her vet prescribed the dog’s first ever dose of Trifexis®. “We had to let her go. We had to have her put her to sleep. I killed my dog,” she said.

     

    Much of the media attention began with seven Vizsla puppies that were born in June 2013. While four of these puppies are thriving and have never had Trifexis®, three puppies each got their one and only dose of Trifexis® in early to mid September. One died within six days while two were dead within three weeks. Each puppy died of heart inflammation. The cause of death is still being researched, but the only common element is the Trifexis®.

     

    Trifexis is also marketed under the private label Vethical ComboGuard for VCA vet clinics. Vethical also has a Comfortis® equivalent called Acuguard.

    Recall - True Raw Choice Pet Treats

    in Food and dietary discussion

    Posted

    In case anyone is using these:

     

     

    Dear Fellow Dog Lover,

    Because you signed up on my website and asked to be notified, I'm sending you this special recall alert.

    Your True Companion Pet Treats has announced a recall of its True Raw Choice Bulk Dehydrated Natural Pet Treats due to possible contamination with Salmonella bacteria.

     

    To learn which products are affected, please visit the following link:

     

     

    True Raw Choice Pet Treats Recall

    Please be sure to share the news of this alert with other pet owners.


     

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