Guest whitefawn Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Hi everyone, I'm just back from an emergency visit to the vet with my girl Winnie, who had a pretty bad bout of explosive, bloody diarrhea and vomiting this morning. She also refused to eat her breakfast, wouldn't even touch boiled chicken breast and, worst of all considering how hot it's been in the last few days, didn't want to drink at all. Winnie had a similar, but much less severe GI episode last month and it seems like they are both connected to the Sentinel heartworm medication I switched her to this spring. Both times Winnie started acting weird two days after I gave her her Sentinel pill, and developed anorexia and really bad diarrhea that would not respond to bland diet. By the time we got to the vet's office today, she was very dehydrated and definitely not being herself. My vet, who is great and very knowledgable about greyhounds, agreed that Sentinel was most likely what made Winnie sick. I know all dogs are different, but would still like to warn people about the possible severe side effects of this medication in greyhounds and suggest they stick to good old Heartguard instead! Winnie is doing a little better now, which is what really matters, but we're now left with huge vet bills to pay, courtesy of Sentinel! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Sorry Winnie had such a hard time. Heartgard Plus is what used to give my dogs diarrhea, although the vet said it probably was the flavoring rather than the medication itself that got to them. Interceptor is back on the market, but be advised that it (and Trifexis) have the same primary active ingredient as Sentinel. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolarik1 Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I use Interceptor...and my pups haven't had any adverse reactions. Hopefully Winnie will feel better soon. Quote Marble, Noah, Eden, Raya (red heeler), Cooper & Trooper (naughty kittens) Missing my bridge angels: Pop, Zelda, Mousey & Carmel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brindlehound Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Joy has had 2 rounds of Sentinel and she's been fine. I hope Winnie feels better soon. Quote Carol, missing Magic (1/5/01 - 4/15/15) but welcoming Fuzzy's Joy Behar (Joy) into my life on 5/31/15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SonjaAndStella Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Stella has had one round of Sentinel Spectrum, and also handled it just fine. I hope she continues to do so, and I hope Winnie feels much better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 If your vet feels that Sentinel is most likely what made Winnie sick, did they report it to the manufacturer? Sometimes the company will even help cover the cost of treatment. Not sure how Virbac handles issues like this since they just recently took over Sentinel from Novartis, but it wouldn't hurt to look into it. Any medication has the potential for side effects and individuals can have unusual reactions. Heartworm preventative in general is very safe and the vast majority of dogs don't have any problems. Sentinel isn't any more likely to cause problems than any of the other products available. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Gave Sentinel to Daisy and Dylan for years without any side effects. Heartguard gave them both diarrhea. It's amazing to me that the same breed of dogs can have such opposite effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I've used Interceptor for years, and after it became impossible to get, Sentinel, and no one had any side effects. Very sorry this happened to your Winnie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I'm sorry this happened, but I don't think this is a greyhound specific thing. My pit bull mix got sick after taking several different things. Some dogs are just more sensitive to chemicals than others, just like people. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedHead Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 My old Alaskan malamute also got sick after taking Sentinel. We switched her to another one (I can't remember what was in the Sentinel that the vet said likely made her ill) and she was fine. Some dogs just don't react well to certain chemicals, while the majority are usually fine. You may want to try a skin topical instead of a pill if your pup is sensitive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted August 9, 2015 Share Posted August 9, 2015 I'm sorry you and your pup went through this. Greyhounds are one of the breeds that can have adverse reactions to heart worm meds, not common but can happen. There are a couple of natural options you may want to look into. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted August 13, 2015 Share Posted August 13, 2015 P.S. My vet won't even prescribe Sentinal because they believe it's not as effective in preventing heartworm as the other choices. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 P.S. My vet won't even prescribe Sentinal because they believe it's not as effective in preventing heartworm as the other choices. I'm curious why your vet feels Sentinel is less effective? Interceptor, Sentinel, and Trifexis all contain the same heartworm preventative ingredient, and from what I've seen working in an area with a lot of heartworm disease, they are just as effective as the other options. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Jennifer, I'm not sure. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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