6 days ago 2 hours and 10 minutes my sweet boy took his last breath of life . Me and My husband were holding him . The last things before his spirit left his worldy dressing was us to see . And then , it was quiet. Painful quiet, his body was laying down in same position he had it for past couple days but no more noise was coming , no more breathing , no more paws tapping , nothing other then a lifeless body . The only thing you can hear was me and my husband crying and holding Ben. I dont know for how long we stood there ,but after a while I need it to close his eyes and close his mouth . I need it to put him in to a position he was decent and I wanted revenge . I knew , if I would had a good Vet , he would figure out from couple months ago what was happening with Ben and he might it have more time with us and maybe he would not have to go through all that sufferance .

A couple months ago my 16 year old Ben -alsacian- started to suffer of constipation.I ascked the vet if they can give him something to ease a BIT but they said some fiber and lubrication and to try liquid paraffin will do the trick. I did not found LP but I started to administer him Lactulose twice a day-this one I have been recomended by a chemist and he told " liquid paraffin is an old remedy and you do not find him in pharmacy any more, they are using it only in hospitals' . He seems to be fine on that but for a short while. I called the vet again and went for a check up , they told me, he has spinal arthritis and they put him on rimadyl and told me to continue with Lactulose , but lactulose on long term gives some side affects so I stooped for a while .
3 and half weeks in rimadyl treatment had a fall-back legs paralyzed for short time . The back legs were painful. He recover over the weekend and couple days later we took him back to vets because he had an increased appetite and was drinking allot of water. I have noticed incontinence and that started since he was put on rimadyl. I told the vet I can not stuff him with tones of food because he is constipated and I am afraid he will end up dead if he dose not have stools.Ben was constipated since 2 of october , the day we took him to Vet was 6 of october and he did not defecate till 10 of october with a bit of help from me , Glycerin suppository and a small enema . The vet told me in her opinion this is not constipation and is either arthritis , either a tumor on spine level . She found a leg sublumbar mass this was on 6/10/09 but previously on 10/09/09 the same vet have not discovered any mass . How she could when she have not give him a full check , just she took his weight and discover floppy tail, rectal nad and poor limb placing (front pows) . She prescribe him rimadyl on 10/09/09 and we have been told he should be fine and stope having pain because it is a strong anti-inflammatory drug . I did not worried but on 2/10/09 he had the fall and was all most paralyzed for a short while then he recovered and the alarm bells started to ring . My vet did not check his heart (but since he was on rimadyl I noticed his heart beats are very fast ) nor when she prescribed the drug , nor the last time she saw him 2 weeks before his death. She did not proposed any x-ray until 6/10/09 and she said ' BUT HE IS ANY WAY OLD AND THIS STUFF COSTS ' she did not heard me saying some times he throws out his food or after he drinks water and I am afraid to continue with lactulose because this is one of the side effects (at that point in time I did not know one of the side effects of rimadyl was vomiting - to mention he had a very sensitive stomach and I had to be careful what food should I give him ) , She failed to notice the bad breath , which is one of the first signs on liver failure .
The vet told us he needs to have stools and give rimadyl for pain , because even if it is cancer on spine -but this was with question mark - this will help against the pain and to give him lactulose and same food and if he dose not poo he will have to be put it to sleep. But on same day at 6 of october when I have called the Vet for an appointment I had a conversation with one of the staff and she told me , we can help him with a small enema or an injection to calm him down and help him to make a poo. As well she told me I might have to increase the fat in his food and maybe is better to try chappie as is one of the bests foods you can give to a sensitive stomach .But the Vet who saw him , when we arrived to surgery was the same who failed to do all his cheks before prescribing him rimadyl and she said Chappie is no better then bakers or any other brand ....
I told her my dog needs to have a stool and he needs help , I am crying for help for weeks now and nobody is capable to figurer out once and for all what it should be his treatment.

In that point Dr X told me if I don't put him to sleep I will let him suffer. THE bastard accused me , ME the one who loves Ben like my own flesh , to accuse me I do not wish to help him . This is outrageous and humiliating ,No not for me but for the hole community she represents through her business . When she finished the vet university she would have to take an oath to help and save animals life not to transform in money making business through euthanasia . Obviously the oath is long forgotten and 20 years of experience are wasted , there is no more wish to treat animals , there is just money , money , money and how to humiliate pet owners "because she knows better , 20 years ago she managed to go through a university and now she is more smarter and more intellectual then many other people'
but coming back to my story ...

And she thinks this is not constipation , is probably the big intestine channel narrowed because of spine pain or a possible tumor .Hold done a minute a month ago when she saw him said everything is fine and she do not feel any swelling bit And Now on 6 of october says might be a tumor and she discovered a leg sublumbar mass. Interesting what type of tumor this can be? Ben had this straining problem with defecating for couple months and when she saw him a month before failed to hear me. Although IHad to speak over her , with raised voice to tell her about Ben. She yet prescribed him rimadyl and no urine ,or blood test recommended. If was any type of tumor , witch I think might it be she should any way test him before prescription. Because of his age , you do not prescribe rimadyl to such old dog , just by checking front pows and floppy tail , you should think there is something more then spinal arthritis and recurrent constipation problems . This is a basic knowledge which any VET should take in consideration.

On 6/10/09 I started my research about rimadyl and i can not believe my eyes what I saw. I stooped the damn drug , and with in hours he started to respond , be more brighter and have an idea were he was ( since he was on rimadyl we have noticed he had moments when he was looking around he did not know where he is ) he started to pick up , wanted to go for walkies , started to stand up from his matters with less dificulties, started to go to toilet ( I change all his food , boiled chicken with bran wheat , with small amounts of lactulose and Actimel-yogurt. he was back on track , ok a bit weaker , but he was through wars , he was getting coordinated and yet he was drinking allot of water and pee allot . i thought to my self I hope that damn drug did not give him long term damage ,9 days after we stop the drug he started to feel better and be back to all most normal , we come back from a walkie and later on in that evening had a heart attack . I have nursed him , for the past month I was sleeping with him every night just in case he needs something or he wants to jump in his sofa and we did not wanted him to fall - but from last monday since the heart attack each day it went , become more weaker and weaker and he stooped eating , then stooped drinking and in the end he died in my arms at 8.19 on 23/10/09. I have changed his bedding , I have used baby pampers to keep him clean and not pee himself , I have washed him and loved him . So who has the guts to tell me I let my dog to die and not looked after him will be in a big trouble with me .

I did not wanted to put him down, maybe some people will accuse me I let him to suffer, but I can not bear to know I decide his time , I let teh nature to take her own course , it was heart breaking and all my life I will be hunted by the fact I POISON HIM WITH THIS DRUG . I killed him not the day he died , the day I accepted the drug and I did not make my research , the day I put trust in my VET and did not ring any alarm bells I did not had info about this drug .
But now I got a copy about his medical history and I have noticed they are not to good with records either. My Ben was born on 10/10/1993 in his medical book appears to be born on 1/1/1995 which is a lie , then in 2007 he is recorded at the age on 14 for a jab , in his hand book the color appear clear black/tan , in teh copy from vet from his medical history appear UNKNOWN .

Fortunately (but to late) I have been put it in contact with a woman , who happens to be a licensed Vet in Romania and she was very helpful to read Ben's medical history and lisent of what I had to say about symptoms .
She told me the drug Rimadyl it is a very very good drug , if is applied correct . She told me this anti-inflammatory drug can help in small dosages and only but only under medical supervision in my case (Ben was 16 ) . For a dog of his age , should be done not to be proposed , but to be strongly recommended , Urine test , Blood test, Heart check up and before anything else a X-ray if you suspect him of Spine arthritis but if the pet owner mention there has been problems of defecating .

Our Vet told us only in 6/10/09 about a possible tumor and only then she said ' We can put him through an X-ray or ultrasound to see if there is any tumor ' but this was on 6/10/09 I repeat not on 10/09/09 when she prescribed the drug. And was way to late .

Also my romanian Vet told me after checking rimadyl and lactulose . These drugs are not to be given if there is a suspected kidney failure . Ben was experiencing , increased urination , increased thirst , increased vomiting sessions (after lactulose) , bad breath . Lactulose ,is harmless for most of us ,but for people with stomach sensitivity can take to deshidration , which will raise the level of Sodium in blood stream and takes to arrhythmia. Basicity lactulose decrease renal function . Rimadyl it is not to be prescribed for dogs with renal problems - because it self the medication takes the weak patient to kidney failure.
She told me as well when my Ben was straining him , was in pain and that was not necessary because of arthritis but because of the tumor who was there but the damn Vet failed to feel it . She also told me , if the tumor was detected in July when I was calling the Vet for help with constipation and the Vet would urged then an X-ray Ben might still be with us for a bit longer , not months maybe one more year or 2 .

She told me as well when my Ben was straining him , was in pain and that was not necessary because of arthritis but because of the tumor who was there but the damn Vet failed to feel it . She also told me , if the tumor was detected in July when I was calling the Vet for help with constipation and the Vet would urged then an X-ray Ben might still be with us for a bit longer , not months maybe one more year or 2 .

All so we have found traces of indomethacin in Rimadyl. And this medication it is not recommended in renal disfunction's. But of course not having a complete check at the right time ,this medication did a greater damage then help .

Also our romanian Vet told us , there is possible Ben had a tumor , Stomach or big intestine , which was growing , but administrating the anti-inflamatory drug rimadyl , helped to grow quicker and possible the cancer might developed in some other locations in short time. The drug helped to increase the irrigation towards the tumor and here we have the spread




a small warning about rimadyl

'Rimadyl toxicity describes the symptoms of poisoning associated with the administration of Rimadyl® (carprofen), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication used for the treatment of arthritis. These drugs suppress inflammation and pain by inhibiting synthesis of the class of compounds called prostaglandins. Rimadyl® toxicity can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys.

Rimadyl® toxicity generally occurs as the result of one of the following:


Accidental ingestion of excessive quantities of the drug
Administration of the incorrect dose of medication by the owner (overdose)
Idiosyncratic reaction – the pet is unusually susceptible to the side effects of the drug and the reaction is unrelated to dose. The correct dose is administered but the pet develops signs consistent with toxicity.'


What to Watch For

Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, melena (black, tarry stools), abdominal pain and ulceration of the stomach.

Damage to the kidneys may cause signs of acute kidney failure such as increased thirst, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and dilute urine (lighter in color).

Symptoms associated with damage to the liver include jaundiced skin, gums, inside of ears, and sclera (whites of the eyes) as well as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and lethargy.

Diagnosis

A history of Rimadyl® administration or accidental ingestion of an inappropriately high dose of Rimadyl® is helpful to your veterinarian in determining the cause of your pet's illness. In addition to obtaining a complete history and performing a thorough physical examination, your veterinarian will likely perform the following tests:

A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test performed to check the pet's white blood cell count and red blood cell count. The white blood cell count may be slightly elevated with Rimadyl® toxicity. The red blood cell count may be decreased due to blood loss associated with a bleeding ulcer in the gastrointestinal tract.

A biochemistry profile is a blood test that is performed to measure the liver enzyme levels, which are elevated if the liver is damaged. Additionally, this test measures kidney values such as the creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which are elevated if acute kidney failure is present. Your veterinarian will likely repeat this test during the pet's treatment to ensure that the values are decreasing, indicating recovery from the toxicity.

A urinalysis is done to assess the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. Animals with acute kidney failure typically exhibit dilute urine due to the inability of the kidneys to concentrate the urine. The urine is also evaluated for the presence of casts, which, if present, indicate that a region of the kidneys called the tubules has been damaged. Tubule damage is consistent with Rimadyl® toxicity.

A urine culture and sensitivity to rule out a bacterial infection in the urine.

An abdominal ultrasound is performed to evaluate the kidneys and the liver. An ultrasound-guided biopsy of the liver or kidneys may be necessary to determine the extent of damage to these organs or to confirm that Rimadyl® is the cause of the damage.

Treatment

Hospitalization is necessary to provide definitive treatment and may require two to five days. Other treatments may include:

Induction of vomiting followed by gastric lavage (pumping the stomach) to remove undigested pills if the pet is known to have accidentally ingested an excessive quantity of pills within the preceding four hours. These steps are not indicated in cases of Rimadyl® toxicity due to chronic Rimadyl® administration or in the case of idiosyncratic reactions.

Administration of activated charcoal to prevent absorption of Rimadyl® from the stomach. Charcoal is not administered in cases of Rimadyl® toxicity due to chronic Rimadyl® administration or in the case of idiosyncratic reactions.

Placement of an intravenous catheter for administration of intravenous fluids and other medications. Intravenous fluids are administered at high rates (diuresis) to rehydrate pets that are dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea and to treat or prevent kidney failure.

Administration of antacid medication such as sucralfate (Carafate®), famotidine (Pepcid AC®), or cimetidine (Tagamet®) to prevent or treat ulceration of the stomach.

Administration of anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication such as metoclopramide (Reglan®) or chlorpromazine (Thorazine®).


this is the source Rimadyl (Carprofen) Toxicity

Our Vet insisted to give him rimadyl on 6/10/09 but she knew all the side effects and Ben's behavior ... Is this malpractice?
DOse she deserve to be a Vet still by failing to give the right treatment ?
One of the last things she said to me and my husband on 6/10/09 was ' he can take rimadyl , even if is a tumor will reduce the pain' rimadyl is a anti-inflammatory drug not analgesic .

unfortunately I can not afford to have an autopsy on Ben , but I have saved one of his pampers and I have bloody urine samples . I dont know how badly damaged are this samples because of the heat but I am pretty sure any lab will manage to figurer out there was a kidney failure .

One question . Dose any one know if I would use the full name of the Vet who treated him and the practice in to a website I want to create in memory of Ben to create awareness about this practice , Can they sue me. I have on Ben's medical history the name of the Vet , is a paper released form Vet practice it self .

I have spoken with couple other people who they had have dogs and cats treated by the same practice and by the same Vet and I have heard terrifying stories .


thank you for reading me and I do apologize for repetitions and for my mistakes .

What a heart breaking tale.
I would not name the vet as this could lead to action against you. Have you tried putting in a complaint?
RCVS Online / Veterinary Surgeons / Complaints procedure

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I work my life around my dog, not my dog around my life
Resident PF agony aunt

what a awful story
i agree put in a complaint

blimey that must be the longest post i've ever seen!

sorry for your loss, you obviously cared very much for Ben and you did your best, so please don't blame yourself for what happened.

It might be best not to name the vet on websites you have made, or on here because the vet probably could sue you if they so wished.

The best option would be to use the link that Rona posted and take it from there.

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R.I.P Buster - Causing mischief over the bridge, sleep tight soldier

Ah that is such a sad story and i am sooooo sorry for your loss.

I would definitly put a complaint in, it wont bring Ben back but may stop this happening to other dogs and stopping their owners feeling the pain and frustration you are too.

aww so sad R.I.P Ben

My heart breaks for you. I would remove the name from forum though and make an offical complaint. Although you story is extreamly sad it needs to be told to remind people to not be so trusting and to question every medication our vets advise. One of my dogs has a disease bought on by over vaccinating so I no longer trust anything anyone tells me, I check out all the advise given first and question the side effects fully. Luckily my dog has survived the disease but not without cost, he's been on steriods for 5 years and suffers facial scarring and ulcers.

Hopefully Ben's story will help other dogs and owners if they take the time to read what happened.

I'm very sorry it had to happen, Ben was lucky to have you.

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TRPD for all your collars, leads, blankets and coats. Volunteer organisation returning all profits to rescue animals countrywide. PM me or register on http://petcraftproject.proboards24.com/index.cgi

I'm very sorry to hear your sad story. I suppose drugs, whether used for humans or for animals, can cause harm as well as good. Vets have to weigh up the pros and cons, and sometimes they make misjudgements or are simply careless, so as other people on this forum have suggested, maybe you could put in a complaint to their professional body. I hope you will find comfort in the fact that you loved and cared for your dog for a very long time and you did your best for him.

My German Shepherd was on Rimadyl and high dose steroids too (100mg a day) when he had Anal Furuncleosis. He was diagnosed with it in April 2004 and we had to have him put to sleep in July the same year. He would have been six years old in the August had he lived. I have since read that dogs shouldn't be on steroids if they are on Rimadyl which I knew nothing about, I just went with what the vet recommended.

So sorry to hear about your boy 'Ben'.

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Thank you for all your thoughts and advise .
It means allot. I know nothing can bring back our Ben, we knew the day when he will no longer be with us would come , but we never knew how bad will he be treated in the end .
I have come across yesterday on RSVC but I was not to sure and I need it more opinions. All of you confirmed me I was right.

Yes I will remove the small details I left on forum about this Vet and her practice until hopefully RCVS will do a investigation.

I just had a phone conversation with somebody from RCVS and told them in as much detail I could about Ben . This chap told me as follow :
'I think you should wright us the full story and send us any copies of medical records of your Ben, because here we are talking about couple issues and we need to take a look in depth in this sad story '
He also asked me If I had an autopsy of Ben's but you know I did not had one. How ever for future I have been told Not by RCVS , but my romanian Vet ' In future when you will have any doubt about the death of any of your animals , look around to VET colleges or universities and call them to ask if they agree to take the body of your pet for an autopsy , because some times they would take them free of charge for student practice. This particular case probably would it be accepted because it was such hard case and shows multiple organ failure because of kidney failure . But you have to be quick and keep the body in as cold conditions is possible because the intern organs are the first once to damage from bacteria '

Part of me would wanted to take him because would show I am not talking lies and I would had a very strong case and could go to cort , but part of me dose not and I think we all know the reasons.

I shall keep up to date the evolution and I will let you know how this story will finish.