|
WE all live, I'm sure, very busy lives, but please
take the time out to read this case history of my Vizsla bitch, Ch Devon
Sunrise's Hallmark, "Hally". My goal is to help. When
our experience started, I couldn't find anyone to shed light on the
subject. Finally, a Vizsla owner/friend pointed me in the
direction of California, and to W. Jean Dodds, DVM. Many of you
have know her for a long time, as she was once an owner of Vizslas and
campaigned her dogs. Jean is a research scientist/veterinarian
specializing in immunology. She is a world renowned lecturer.
The Story Begins
End of June, 1995 - I
gave Hally her once a month heart worm preventative.
July 7, 1995 - I took
Hally to a veterinarian for hip x-rays for OFA registry. I was
told to pick her up at 10:30 am. I received a call at 10:00 am.
telling me that she had difficulty coming out of anesthesia and to come
to the office around 11:30 am. Well, I couldn't wait around.
I had a conference with the vet on call and requested the name of
the anesthesia and what was given to her afterwards. Saritol was
the anesthesia used. I have since found out that this barbiturate
has been taken off the market. A little too late for Hally. She
had a difficult time during the next 2 days, trembling and very
apprehensive of everything.
End of July - I gave
her a once a month heart worm preventative.
August 5, 1995 -
Hally was in estrus.
First week of September
- I again gave Hally her heartworm preventative.
September 21 - Our
vet administered Hally's yearly combination vaccine. Within 5
hours after the vaccination, all hell broke loose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upon arising from a nap, urine poured out of Hally. Followed
by excessive thirst, frequent urination, depression, tremors, lethargy,
fever, unable to rest at night, easily aggravated and finally no
appetite. Of course, this all started on a weekend. I took her
several times to our local emergency animal hospital, to no avail.
Finally, after much frustration and helplessness, the vet on call did a
complete blood profile, and there it was - Hally was in liver
dysfunction, an adverse reaction to the vaccine complicated by all the
drugs that were administered to her since late June. She was
hospitalized for 5 days. During hospitalization, her vet wanted to
perform a liver biopsy. Fortunately, I declined, the biopsy could have
caused her to bleed internally, her coagulation factor was not
sufficient, which the liver controls.
When we brought her home, we didn't know what to
expect. Hally was on predisone for 2 months, 3 different antibiotics,
vitamin K and C. I changed her food to the most natural I could
find and also started cooking for all my Vizslas. Monthly blood
tests (until the present time) and numerous phone calls to anyone that
could shed light on this subject. The final conclusion, toxic
overload. Future is guarded.
To all my friends, I want to say thank you for
listening and bearing with me. To all other Vizsla breeders and owners,
please ask your vet questions. There are right and wrong times to
administer vaccines and other medications. Hally was in the wrong
place at the wrong time. Educate yourselves as best you can to
protect this most precious breed.
Finally, I want to add the great asset we have, W.
Jean Dodds, DVM. She is there to answer questions and is very willing to
help. We were fortunate to be able to have Jean on the east coast
in March, and she was our guest speaker on canine health. All that
attended went home with a great deal of knowledge and much to think
about for our canine's future. The proceeds benefited VCA Breed
Rescue and Hemopet Research. There are audio and video tapes
available.
|