Lulu, 13 y/o minipin -- Warning about Vetoryl

[yateman]

I'm posting this in memory of my late minipin Lulu, in hopes that reading this can save your dog's life.

Be careful of medications your vet might perscrilbe for canine cushings. Our vet considered two medications for our 13 year old minipin. One was the standard Anipryl. The other was Vetoryl, a new British drug recently approved by the FDA and licensed in the US. The vet went with Vetoryl because literature from its distributor -- Dechra, Ltd (UK) -- falsly advertises their product as the safest of available treatments.

Vetoryl is the least safest. In fact, it killed my dog. After I administered four tablets in as many days, she had to be rushed for emergency treatment. Attending vets were puzzled because her symptoms weren't in synch with her chart. When one of the vets called Dechra, a company veterinarian said the negative symptoms were caused by the four Vetoryl pills. He also admitted a small percent of dogs who are treated with vetoryl die.

I believe any dogs diagnosed with Cushings should rely on the tried and proven drugs. Dechra, distributor of Vetoryl, lies when it touts the product to be the safest of all.

Regards,

Yateman

[coopersmom]

Yateman,

Thank you for the warning. I am aware a small number of dogs have died using the Vetroyl and also that Dechra verbally suggests only 1mg/kg. The literature I believe says to use 2mg/kg. (those numbers don't look right. at any point, the verbal recommendation from Dechra is less that the written). That is worrisome to me and I am watching Randy very closely, checking him for loose stools. Everything is going o.k. now. His stools are fine, he's eating and his normal self. We're only on day four so I'm still nervous. It's really hot here in KY right now so he's not doing much. Hard to gauge the lethargy b/c the heat has him housebound right now. Crossing fingers, paws, and praying everything continues to go well for Randy.

[labblab]

Dear Yateman,

I saw that you had posted this reply to Randy's mom on her thread (to which she had also responded). I've taken the liberty of moving both your posts to start a new thread of your own, so that our other members can also reply to you directly.

First of all, and most importantly, I am so sorry for the death of your Lulu. You have every right to feel angry and betrayed over losing her to a treatment that was supposed to make her feel better. Her death -- from any cause -- would be hard enough. But how much harder to have entered into her treatment in good faith, never expecting that this would be the outcome! We are here to offer any feedback and support that we can. And it will be our privilege to read anything more that you might care to write about Lulu. We would love to know more about your lives together, both the good parts and the difficult ones.

However, in order to also support all of our members who are treating their dogs with Vetoryl (trilostane), I must tell you that Lulu's experience was a rare occurrence. I have been a member of this Cushing's family since treating my dog with trilostane back in 2003. And during that entire time, I can think of only one or two other instances of unexplained sudden death such as you describe. For you and for any parents who might have lost their dog in this way, it is surely true that every single loss is a terrible tragedy. But unfortunately, there are risks associated with virtually any medication that is powerful enough to control a major illness such as Cushing's. And in their U.S. Product Insert, Dechra discusses possible side effects and risks (including death) in quite some detail:

http://www.dechra-us.com/files/dechraUSA/downloads/Product%20inserts/Vetoryl.pdf

Anipryl is not without risks, either. And unfortunately, it only provides relief for a very small percentage of dogs with Cushing's. In addition to Vetoryl, Lysodren is really the other drug-of-choice for effective Cushing's treatment here in the U.S. And again, it is also a powerful drug that also carries risks. With all of these drugs, safety is enhanced when the drugs are administered by knowledgeable and watchful vets and parents. But even then, the unexpected can occur, as it did so tragically for you and your Lulu.

I thank you for honoring your Lulu by reminding all parents that they have a huge responsibility to educate themselves about any medication that they give to their dogs. And Vetoryl is no exception. But on the positive side, we have witnessed many dogs who have done very well on the drug, and for whom their Vetoryl treatment was a godsend. I am so terribly sorry that Lulu was not one of them. You have my deepest sympathy.

Marianne

[littleone1]

Hi Yateman,

I am so sorry for your loss. I have also read information about furbabies that had issues with Vetoryl/Trilostane. Unfortunately, all medications can have severe side effects. I'm sorry this happened to Lulu.

Corky has been treated successfully with Trilo for 20 months now. His IMS has him on Trilo, not because it's safer, but because it was easier on him.

Terri

[rbeasl]

Hi Yateman.

I am so very sorry about LuLu. I cannot imagine the hurt and pain you must be going through. My Honey did not do so well after 2 days of Vetoryl. I just noticed that he was very different and just took him off. But I really still believe alot of work has gone into this medication and I wished Honey could have stayed on it . It just did not work for Honey. It is like when we go see our doctor. They will always ask if you have any allergies to certain medicines. I can take something with no problem that may kill someone else. We just dont know with our furbabies and everything is a risk. Today will be Honey's second dose of lysodern. Alot of people here have giving me so much information and calmed me down. I know it is a huge risk, but I just pray and know that I am doing everything I can to make him better. The same that you did for LuLu.

Praying for you and your family
Rhondalyn and Honey