Why is Fido dead? Prescription drugs are killing dogs, too

Breaking News for Friday, December 05, 2008 Exclusive Video from Generation Rx Film Features Dr. Julian Whitaker on the Drugging of Children GM Crops Climb to Nearly One-Tenth of Global Crop Production Consumer Product Safety Commission Sued Over Allowing Toxic Chemicals in Children's Toys Acidic Diets Cause Bone Loss; Alkaline Diet Protect Calcium in Bones Big Brother DNA Database is Illegal, Rules EU Court      See all Breaking News... FREE Natural Health Newsletter Receive natural health product reviews, recommendations and alerts. Instant download of 20+ free health reports and exclusive interviews. Join over 1.2 million monthly readers. Unsubscribe anytime, email privacy guaranteed Articles Related to This Article: • Pet health supplements, disease prevention and miracle pet cures: an exclusive interview with Dr. Lisa Newman, formulator of the Azmira Holistic Pet Care products (part 4 of 4) • Pet health companies combine efforts to promote Dr. Marty Goldstein's new book on holistic pet health • Pet nutrition revealed: the Health Ranger interviews Dr. Lisa Newman on pet nutrition and pet food ingredients (part 3 of 4)

The drug makers maintain their medicines are safe. Deramaxx-maker Novartis stated, "Deramaxx has been safely and effectively used to treat more than 1 million dogs for canine osteo-arthritis." Boehringer Ingelheim, maker of Metacam, said it was "confident that there are millions of animals whose lives have been improved by the pain relieving benefits of (Metacam)." Both companies note they provide vets with information sheets concerning the side effects.

The FDA states that the pet NSAIDs are considered safe and effective when used according to the label and if owners are aware of the side effects. But Chris Sweeney, who used to own a 9-year-old cocker spaniel named Ari, said she never would have used the drugs if she had been aware of the possible side effects.

"I went from having a healthy dog to having a dog that had to be rushed to the hospital and they said he might die on the way," Sweeney said, adding that she believes Metacam is responsible for Ari's death.

Boston veterinarian Dr. Margo Roman said she feels cases such as Ari's are the tip of the iceberg.

"There's liver issues, there can be kidney issues, there can be gastrointestinal irritation issues," Roman said, adding that she would never prescribe these NSAIDs to her patients or use them on her own dog.

Pet owners do not have to turn to potentially harmful prescription drugs for their pets' health, however. Natural options are available. Health advocate Mike Adams says that pet health, like human health, mostly comes down to proper nutrition, although he noted a pet's dietary needs were specific.

"It is tragic, although not surprising, that so many beloved pets are falling victim to these side effects," said Adams, co-author of the "Real Safety Guide to Pet Health" with Dawn Prate. "These drug companies are just interested in making a buck, and the FDA is just interested in protecting their financial interests, so of course they are going to say the medicine is safe if used properly. What they don't mention is that these drugs should only be used as an absolute last resort or if your pet sustains an injury, not as part of a lifestyle.

"The bottom line is: The healthiest thing you can do for your pet is love it, feed it properly, and keep prescription drugs as far away from it as possible," he said.

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Related Articles: • Pet health supplements, disease prevention and miracle pet cures: an exclusive interview with Dr. Lisa Newman, formulator of the Azmira Holistic Pet Care products (part 4 of 4) • Pet health companies combine efforts to promote Dr. Marty Goldstein's new book on holistic pet health • Pet nutrition revealed: the Health Ranger interviews Dr. Lisa Newman on pet nutrition and pet food ingredients (part 3 of 4)	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/020494.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. Embed article link: (copy HTML code below): <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/020494.html">Why is Fido dead? Prescription drugs are killing dogs, too</a>