What's Killing Your Family Pet?
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Imagine someone you love sick from a medicine, given to keep them healthy. One couple says that's what happened to them, and there was nothing they could do about it.
Many pet-owners will tell you their furry friend is considered a part of the family. And just like any loved one, an illness can be devastating, especially when it's preventable. 10-year-old Murphy was the pride and joy of her owners, Jim and Laurie Rentas. "She was our… the world revolved around Murphy. It was her schedule," Laurie said. So, when their vet recommended a new heartworm medication, ProHeart 6, they thought they'd give it a try. But the Rentas' noticed Murphy acting differently right away, and two weeks later, she became incontinent. Jim Rentas, "And pretty soon she wasn't eating or drinking." That was just the beginning of a long list of problems for Murphy.
Her owners say after the ProHeart 6 shot, Murphy became very sick. "This dog lost over 30% of her weight, there were over six weeks when she wouldn't eat or drink," Laurie said. "She couldn't walk, her hindquarters were paralyzed for weeks. It was incredible."
A long eight months passed for the Rentas.' Every day, wondering what was happening to their Murphy, and why they couldn't help her. Jim Rentas said, "I look at this beautiful creature that God gave us, that we cared for, we could never find an answer." Murphy eventually went blind, which the rentas say they could handle. Then, one day, they noticed one eye starting to get bigger. Murphy had developed cancer in her right eye, and it had to be removed. "Not only is she blind, but now we get to take her little eye and sew her eyelid shut," Laurie Rentas said. "And we did. Two to three weeks later, she was in so much pain, we couldn't keep doing this to her." Jim said, "It was time for Murphy to be put to sleep. I couldn't stand it anymore."
Before giving Murphy ProHeart 6, the Rentas had used a once-a-month pill for heartworm prevention. Which are brands like Heartgard and Interceptor. ProHeart 6 is a twice-a-year injection, the first of its kind, and approved by the Food and Drug Administration(F.D.A.) in 2001, and used by most vetrinarians.
Dr. Jamie Bunn, a Waukee veterinarian said, "I haven't had any major problems with ProHeart 6." Dr. Bunn says he's given the injection around 12-hundred times with only two mild reactions. Bunn said, "You always have a risk of interaction, ProHeart 6 may be higher, but we haven't seen bad side effects."
But some vets won't use it, saying it's just too new. Dr. Robert Culver, from the Heartland Animal Hospital said, "There's not enough track record. If an animal has an adverse reaction, to my knowledge, I don't know how to get it back out." Dr. Culver also says he's read the statistics, and ProHeart 6 has a higher incidence of death than any other heartworm preventative. Culver said, "Other products have comparable numbers, but you have to remember, that's over 16, 17 years, not the 3 or 4 years ProHeart 6 has been out."
Now the F.D.A. is investigating. More than 5-thousand complaints have been filed after pets had serious reactions to the drug. Nearly 5-hundred deaths have been associated with the use of ProHeart 6. The F.D.A. says ProHeart 6 directly caused the deaths of 12 dogs- rates much higher than any other heartworm medication on the market. Information the Rentas' wish they'd known before agreeing to give Murphy the drug. Laurie Rentas said, "I think we did what we could do to fight ProHeart 6, and we lost. So did Murphy.
The medication is made right here in Iowa by Fort Dodge Animal Health, a division of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. The company stands behind its drug. It says the complaints filed with the F.D.A. represent a fraction of one percent of the 16-million doses of ProHeart 6 sold. In a written response, Fort Dodge Animal Health says:
"Since its launch, millions of dogs have benefited from the unique heartworm protection provided by ProHeart 6. ProHeart 6 is safe for all types of healthy dogs six months and older.”
The Rentas have a different story. Jim Rentas said, "None of Murphy's records show anything wrong with her previous to the shot." Laurie Rentas said, "She was a 10 pound healthy dog. 9 months later, she's in an urn." Now, the Rentas want to get their message out, so you can ask the questions they didn't. "Don't just let the vet do something you don't understand," Jim said.
In May, three months after Murphy was put to sleep, Laurie Rentas received this letter from Fort Dodge Animal Health. Offering her about $2-thousand to help pay for Murphy's medical bills, but accepting it would release Fort Dodge and Wyeth from any responsibility for Murphy's illness and death. Laurie did not accept the offer.
