Cord Blood Stem Cells Information

Drug warning for Collies - did you know that..........?

I am sure most of you are aware of the adverse effects of Ivermectin and any associated products of the mectin family in collies, including Stronghold and Imodium. There have also been reported side effects of the painkiller Metacam, which has caused internal bleeding. 'Imodium® – Warning for Collies DO NOT GIVE COLLIES IMODIUM® !! It’s the brain barrier block, similar to giving them Ivermectin products (Heartgard 30). It is well known that Collies and related breeds can have adverse reactions to drugs such as ivermectin, loperamide (Imodium®), and others. It was previously unknown why some individual dogs were sensitive and others were not. Advances in molecular biology at the Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine have led to the discovery of the cause of multi-drug sensitivity in affected dogs. Here is the link about Imodium - this is very important info http://www.collie-rescue.org.uk/Medicines/dangerous_medicines.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ivermectin Toxicity in Collies For many years, veterinarians knew a certain pharmaceutical used to eliminate internal parasites in animals was very toxic to a subpopulation of collies. What they didn’t know was why. Now a pharmacologist at the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine has discovered a mutant gene for a key transport protein in the susceptible collies. The gene codes for P-glycoprotein, a large protein complex that acts to pump medications out of the brain and back to the bloodstream where they can be metabolized safely. In the collies that lacked the complete gene for P-glycoprotein, they do not produce the complete protein and cannot pump out the medications. The drugs then build within the brain to toxic levels. P-glycoprotein also helps transport other drugs out of the brain and other tissues in humans and animals, including popular over-the-counter medications. Discovery of the mutant P-glycoprotein gene may be a key step in screening individuals for certain drug susceptibilities or even pharmaceutical re-design of popular medications to make them safer for all species.'.htm I still think many vets think Stronghold is ok, even though it is based on selamectin.

Public Comments

1. I think all vets are aware of this. I know ours still uses Heartguard for many of them. The reactions are rare.
2. I sure do know of their drug sensitivities.
3. Yes, I knew that.
4. At this point at time,, METACAM is not on the list, and I know that it has not proven to be any more unsafe in MRD1 dogs than other NSAIDS..I actually have two M/M dogs on it right now,, so hope not :)... one is so bloody sensitive,, that if he eats manure after the sheep are wormed,, he will seizure,, only once has this happend thank good,, and fortunaly was part of a study group proving the risk of this...so I was lucky he recovered,, and was involved enough with the current breed studies and had blood in storage on him to add to the reaserch base on this issue.. Internal bleeding is a potential problem with many of this class of drug.. GI upset, ulceration (causes the bleeding) and such,, and actually metacam has proven a better track record than some.. this is what the whole deal with the talk about COX 1 and COX 2 is about, both are involved with the inflamation respose,, but also vital for other organ system protection and function,, so more targeted classes of drugs are being developed (metacam one of them) with MRD1 sensitivity.. What causes the problem is with the permibility of the blood brain barrier,, and drugs that have potental CNS effects,, so Bleeding disorders would not be a symptom of MRD1 related toxic effect.. but seizures, prolonged sedation, coma would.. It should be noted,, Collie aussie breeders, among others are VERY serious about this issue, are breeding selections baised of avalible DNA testing and contiued funding of reaserch for other possible drugs that are of concern,, is ongoing.. this is provided to vets,, and information is wide spread,, the problem now is, home medicatons,, dogs that are not tested but are unknown mixes,, and such,, that are the concern,, OH with the drigs like ivermectin or other "ectin" drugs the dosages used in the monthly heartworm are far lower than the dosage use for other treatments,, and below the toxic threshold.. although safe,, in sensitive breeds,, it does not mean your dog would be safe with a normal dosage of ivermenctin, or other standard dose of another listed drug,, Also there is the possiblity that long term use even at a low dose could be a concern so use of "ectin" oral drugs is best avoided when safe alternatives are out there Amanda
5. i was not aware of theseand i have 2 collies and one of them is on metcam for her joints because she has hip dysplasia so THANK YOU