On Saturday, October 26, 2002, my healthy Golden Retriever stepped in a hole and began to limp. I immediately took him to his vet and was advised by the vet that he had “just pulled a ligament in his leg” and was instructed to keep him off of it as much as possible and to give him one (1) chewable 100mg Deramaxx pain tablet a day for three (3) days, starting that night.

Accordingly, that night at approximately 9:00 p.m., I gave him “his pill”. After an hour or so, I observed him resting quietly. The next morning he appeared extremely lethargic and I began a web search for the drug Deramaxx, manufactured by Novartis. There was no information available concerning this drug, other than it was an anti-steroid, used for post-operative pain management. The dog became a little more active during the day and I thought his inactivity was based on his leg. It became a lazy Sunday for the both of us. Until, early Monday morning when his stool became black and loose. I immediately left a message for the vet (he was in surgery) and in the interim contact the vets at Novartis concerning this situation and the fact that there was no available information about Deramaxx on their web page. It was at this time I learned the drug had only received FDA approval in August 2002 and their web page had not been updated. I explained the symptoms to the Novartis vet and was advised that this was not uncommon when administering anti-steroid drugs, but I should still “get to my vet”.

By 12:00 noon I was at the vets office and a Packed cell Volume was conducted and I was advised that the dog was experiencing internal bleeding and began treating him with Carafate. The red cell was 20 at this time and should be between 32-38 minimum.

By Tuesday the dog could barely walk and was immediately taken back to the vet. Another Packed Cell Volume was conduct and the red cell was 17. Death occurs around 8 according to the vet. A transfusion was started and the dog spent the next 3 days at the emergency clinic. After 3 days the red cell had increased to 22 and I was allowed to bring him home.

For the next 7-10 days, I administered Flygal, Cytotec, Cephalexan, Misoprotal, Vitamin K, special food, and numerous and various over the counter drugs, all at the direction of the vet(s),in hopes of controlling the bleeding, and all to no avail. After an endoscopic examine, the oncologist found over 100 holes in the dogs stomach and took 16 biopsy. All were benign. It was then determined that the dog had helcobacter, a stomach bacteria common in humans and dogs, that make them prone to developing ulcers. It was then determined that this new drug, Deramaxx, combined with this bacteria created an “erosive acid” causing “gastrointestinal toxicity” in the dogs stomach. Basically, it ate him alive from the inside. After 3 more transfusions and numerous other drugs, and desperate attempts to save his life, he had to be put down on December 26, 2002. He was my heart and my soul and he is terribly missed. I beg you all to be very leery of this drug. The FDA has received numerous reports about this drug causing similar problems!

If there is any good in this story it can only come from preventing another dog and owner from going through this very slow death.

If you would like to know more about this situation, PLEASE contact me at Kentskennels@aol.com

Jeff Levine

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Counterpoint by Mike Connolly, DVM

Happened to read the article about the young man's dog that seemed to have an unfortunate reaction to Derramax. Reading his post it was evident that he really doesn't understand the chemistry of Derramax. I have used a lot this medication and have found it to be safe and effective. For a dog to ulcerate and die from 3 doses of Derramax makes me think this dog had another ongoing problem or had been given some other medication that potentiated the effect of the Derramax.

His account would be more credible if hadn't of invented a new class of drugs "anti-steroids" or claimed that it caused the production of a "corrosive acid".

Bottom line, the club should exercise some editorial discretion.

Mike Connolly DVM
Connolly Animal Clinic, Inc.
2606 N. University Drive
Nacogdoches, Texas 75964.