Friday, December 9, 2011

Iris waits at the Rainbow Bridge...did Trifexis kill her?

My family is grieving. Iris left us suddenly this week after a sudden and brief illness. This is her story as told by our Mom. Nothing will bring Iris back, but please give a second thought before you switch to Trifexis, a new heart-worm preventative that just came on the market this year.

from Pam Monahan: Iris suddenly became very ill last week with intestinal issues. She was treated twice at our regular vet; once for diarrhea and then for vomiting, lethargy, not eating. Her lab results came back normal except for her thyroid, which was very low. She started medication for low thyroid, but then starting vomiting. She had been at the emergency vet for two days of tests. She had many tests performed there, including 2 ultra sounds and a barium swallow. They could find nothing wrong; no blockage, no foreign object, nothing. She lost 6 pounds in a week. She worsened overnight and when we visited with her this morning we made the decision to let her go and were with her when she passed. We had given Iris and Ivy a dose of Trifexis, a heart-worm preventative/flea control medication on November 29 and Iris became ill the next day. That is when we took her to our vet. So, a week and a day later, a dog that was fine and loving life, is gone. The ER Vet initially was skeptical of my concern about this heart-worm preventative medication, but did immediately perform a necropsy, at our request. She saw no evidence of advanced cancer, but did send off tissue samples for analysis. And, she herself contacted the manufacturer of Trifexis and Iris has a case number. It certainly would have been easier if she had been eaten up with cancer or even swallowed something. So, now we are involved with a pharmaceutical company, Elanco (Eli Lilly). Just want to ensure that this does not happen to other dogs.
We are broken hearted.

Monday, July 4, 2011

4th of July

We are having a lazy day on the 4th. In fact, we have lazy days almost every day during the summer because it is so doggone HOT!
Mom took Iris for a walk and since Dad was playing golf, I did not go. It was really ok as I do poorly in the heat and I know I will get a treat when they get back.  Mom always has a bunch of them in her pocket in case Iris misbehaves, which she usually does. Mom also dragged us out in the yard for a photo shoot (see below) with our brand spanking new patriotic bandanas. She has not done this for a while because she has been busy taking pictures of the wild critters for Evelyn's Wildlife Refuge and for the Virginia Beach SPCA Wildlife Program.  I never know what she is going to come home smelling like! It's wild though.
Tonight we will stay in with the music turned up cuz fireworks upset us......sounds like THUNDER!
From Iris: Whaddya mean I usually misbehave? I jest git excited is all. What  are fireworks?


Monday, May 30, 2011

My TV Commercial Debut for the Virginia Beach SPCA

Here is my long awaited commercial for the Virginia Beach SPCA as posted on their website.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Things are a changin' a bit

Lots a stuff goin' on this past month. Sorry I (we) haven't written. Here goes.
Easter was good. We sent that wabbit hoppin' down the bunny trail.
The Mom had a milestone birthday party and we were not invited.  I guess they did not want us doing too much butt sniffing. She did have a kick ass cake....we were on it! Check out the picture. We are the dogs, not those raccoons that Mom has been cheatin' with. The good news was that Joey and Drew were here so we both gots loads of attention and treats. Note Mom's wine glass and flip flops also. Thanks, Deb and Cake Couture.

Then the Mom ate something bad and stayed in the bed and the bathroom for about 3 days. I can't imagine eating anything bad. So, Dad walked us both, not at the same time though. I enjoyed it, Iris probably not so much. She spent a lot of time with Mom.
Then the Dad goes back to work. Well, I thought that would kinda suck as far as the walkies go, but he is managing admirably. And, bringing home some bacon. WE WANT BACON!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Happy Gotcha Day to Iris


Iris has been with me, and the Mom and the Dad for one full year! WOOF! She is a goofball, but a loveable goofball!
Her training is still a work in progress, but she sure has come a long way. She is a lucky dog.  Mom has all the patience in the world.
She still plays with her food and doesn't WOLF it down like normal Labbies. But, I have learned to steer clear of her food bowl. She may not want to eat, but she doesn't even want you to so much as even LOOK at her bowl. Just ask Sasha!
Iris is not exactly an Olympic swimmer either, but she can play with the hose for hours on end! Did I say she was a goofball?
From Iris: I am lucky and I know it. You should try the hose, labradork!