Veterinarian Uses Drug to Treat Dogs Sick From Tainted Food

[magellan]

This was on our 11:00 p.m. news here in Orlando. It might hold some promise for those with dogs sickened by aminopterin.

I'll cross-post to the Pets forum and LBN (if it isn't there already).


Veterinarian Uses Drug to Treat Dogs Sick From Tainted Food
http://www.wftv.com/news/11459819/detail.html
POSTED: 11:32 pm EDT March 30, 2007

Longwood, Fla. -- A Longwood veterinarian has been successful with a treatment to counteract the poison that some believe is making pets sick.

snip...

Jenner’s brother is a research scientist, and knew aminopterin’s history.

He told Tara about another drug, Leucovorin, which was used in the U.S. when aminopterin was used as a cancer drug, to counter-act the negative effects of it.

snip...

After two days of the Leucovorin treatment, Holly's kidneys were back to normal.

The vets at Longwood Veterinary Clinic are cautious about saying this treatment is the magic bullet that could save all animals that got sick.

In fact, they believe Leucovorin is too strong for cats to handle.

However, for dogs, they say it's at least worth talking to your vet about.

[Warpy]

1. The problem is that leucovorin is expensive and relatively rare

There isn't enough of it to treat all the sick animals out there.

There was a lively discussion here a few days ago with one of the vets on this board desperately looking for help.

The tragedy is that by the time the cat or dog gets deathly sick, folic acid won't work. It has to be leucovorin.

[illinoisprogressive]

2. I have 2 cats and a dog. The brands they eat are not on list but, still worry

[magellan]

3. I have one dog eating Wellness and the other on Hill's Prescription I/D

Neither have been recalled. But MenuFoods does make some Wellness product and the feline Hill's M/D is now on recall, so let's just say I'm unhappy with both Wellness and Hill's Prescription at this point.

I've ordered Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul brand and will be seeing our vet next week to work out an alternative for the Hill's I/D. I want to know specifically what the Hill's I/D supplies that another brand won't because as far as protein/fat/fiber/moisture content, I see little difference between the I/D and the reduced calorie Chicken Soup kibble. And unlike I/D, the Chicken Soup brand doesn't have CRAP in it.

[Morgana LaFey]

4. Someone here at DU actually mentioned that early on,

soon after the aminopterin had been identified.

And what are we doing using rat poison as a cancer treatment? Sheesh.

[magellan]

5. That was Kestrel

And I guess "kill or cure" still applies in medicine.