Less than five months ago (February 2006), my 13-year-old Black Labrador, Max, was put on a medication called Deramaxx— a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) sold by Novartis Animal Health Products. Two weeks ago, (early July 2006), Max began throwing up blood and we rushed him to a well-known veterinary hospital in the area. After running a series of blood tests, being given IV fluids, and receiving a transfusion, we were informed that Max had serious damage to his liver, stomach, and kidneys. The lining in each organ had been severely damaged. With little hope of a recovery, we asked the veterinarian to euthanize Max. He passed away on July 9^th 2006.

After doing some research shortly afterward, we discovered a slew of stories similar to ours involving the only medication Max had been taking at the time— Deramaxx. The typically involve side effects such as vomiting, anorexia, depression, and, in some cases, death. When our veterinarian prescribed Deramaxx for Max, we were not made aware of the side effects Deramaxx potentially has. Further, after discussing the situation with our veterinarian, who has been practicing for over thirty years, he was not aware of the terrible side effects Deramaxx might have on pets. Most Veterinarians recommend that if your pet is taking Deramaxx, to have a blood test every six months to detect any early warning signs.

In retrospect, there seems to be some important things to keep in mind that can mean the difference between life and death. Primarily, if you notice any of these side effects, immediately discontinue use of Deramaxx and take your pet to a veterinarian pronto. Deramaxx may reach dangerously high levels over a short or long period of time in your pet’s blood— for some pets, this can be as little as one dosage or over a longer period of time, like Max. Waiting and seeing what occurs is not an option with Deramaxx.

I urge you, if you see any of these signs with your pet, to take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible to ensure your pet’s health and well-being. Soon, I’ll be posting additional information about Deramaxx, including statistical side effect information, what you can do if your pet has already been taking Deramaxx and exhibits side effects, how to report such incidents, and more.

For more information about Deramaxx, please read the following articles I've posted:

The Problem with Deramaxx

Using Deramaxx Safely

Dealing with a Negative Reaction to Deramaxx