Sept 14, 2004
Case _________
Hunter, Golden Retriever, age 4
Died Oct. 16, 2004, AIHA
Dear Dr. Savell.
I have just gotten hold of the Dear Doctor letter sent to vets regarding the PH6 recall, and along with many others, I think there are lots of things in it that are not correct. For instance, it is stated that “Bronson reported that one percent of all deaths in dogs were due to hemolytic anemia”. If this were true, then 2 out of every 100 dogs would come down with AIHA and one would die. That would make it a very common disease. Yet not only had none of my friends, family, nor I ever heard of it until Hunter was diagnosed, I find the same is true of ALL the owners (that I have talked to) of the dogs that died of AIHA following a PH6 injection. If none of us had ever heard of it, how can it be such a common disease as to affect 2 out of every 100 dogs, killing 1 out of every 100 dogs. Even my own vet told me it was rare. SO where did this Bronson fellow come up with these figures?
And as to the statement “The FDA claims that nine of the 240 reported deaths are directly tied to the drug.” “This statement indicates the FDA’s conclusion that the vast majority of the deaths reported for ProHeart6 are unrelated, which is in line with Fort Dodge’s data.” WRONG. That is NOT what the FDA said. I asked about this and was given this statement. Of the deaths, 3% were probable, 77 % possible, and 20 % remotely possible. NO WHERE does it say that these other deaths were unrelated. The word “possible” DOES NOT MEAN “not at all”. It means that 77 % could very well have been killed by ProHeart6. Even the 20% remotely possible were not ruled out. So this statement that Fort Dodge is making is TOTALLY wrong and misleading.... Especially for vets with their head in a hole in the ground and just go along with what they are told.
As for the cancer, I do not know all the ins and outs of ages, etc, except I do know it can strike any age dog, as with humans. In fact, I lost a 12 year old Irish Setter to bone cancer 7 years ago. HOWEVER I have no idea if all these dogs stricken with cancer of liver, etc, actually had cancer. It was thought thru ultrasound and x-rays that my Hunter had cancer, but the histopath report came back negative. I have no idea how many of the people who reported their dog had cancer actually had necropsy done, or just went by x-rays and ultrasound. But at any rate, there is a high rate of liver disease showing up soon after a PH6 injection.
And as to that Yorkie, her owners tell me that the entire story about her is misleading. She was healthy until that injection and then went downhill after it. And we have never been able to figure out what the luxating patellas have to do with the case. My Hunter’s sister had surgery on both knees for that problem so I know all about it. And it has nothing to do with Proheart6, cancer, etc, so why was this even brought up?
Fort Dodge is trying to make it sound like Murphy had the proverbial 3 feet in the grave and one on a banana peel when she got her injection. If that was true, that vet that gave her the injection should retire because he has no business “treating” animals.
Why is it that people are only suppose to believe what FORT DODGE puts on the internet, and not what people like me, put on there? I know without a doubt ProHeart6 killed my Hunter. From the day Hunter was diagnosed with AIHA and my vet said we were putting him back on pills when it came time for his next injection of PH6, I knew PH6 caused his AIHA, and then research, time lines, other cases backed me up. Even FD’s own Dr. Doctor letter of July 22, 2002 where it is stated that AIHA was an adverse reaction being reported by VETS.
We who have read the letter have all come to the same conclusion--Fort Dodge is saying the FDA does not know how to read data correctly. That is the impression we all got from reading the letter. Strange, they could read accurately when you wanted them to put PH6 on the market, but now that dogs are dying, suddenly, the FDA can not read data correctly. Seems to me that Wyeth had the same problem with that diet drug a few years ago. Was the FDA wrong when they pulled it?
Another thing has bothered me for a long time. In your warnings you say not to give the PH6 to weak, sick or debilitated dogs. But nothing is said about elderly dogs. I have found several dogs over 12 died shortly after getting PH6. It is my opinion that those dogs may have been in great condition for their age, but face it, their heart, kidneys, liver is not what it was when they were 4 years old. These organs are weaker and time worn...just as with humans. They may not be debilitated in the sense of having a chronic disease, heart problem, or being very underweight, but their bodies are not longer strong. And I did notice you point out the advanced age in some of your dear doctor letters, and letters to counter the radio talk show & TV spots. If age doesn’t matter, what was it brought up?
If you want to talk about misinformation and rumor, you better check out some the vet boards chat, which I also understand (from a vet) is shared with reps from Fort Dodge. WE who lost our dogs, or almost lost our dogs are extremely insulted to hear that we are part of a conspiracy with PetMed and other drug companies to get PH6 removed from the market. How dare they say such a thing--after claiming WE are spreading rumors and is information. They would do better to get off their duff and start checking out their records. I have learned that some vets have done that--and found dogs they now believe adverse reactions to PH6.
I understand that most vets are extremely busy and mostly rely on sales reps for information, and that is not good. Sales reps are out to make sales, and they make sales by selling the “good points” of a product, not by telling the “bad points”-----I know, I use to be in sales. Vets hear and read what you want them to hear and read. It is time they learned that you drug companies are not Gods. You are out to make money, and I mean BIG money. I understand a lot goes into research, but I know a lot goes into stock holders pockets, sponsoring various events, backing political parties, lobbying, etc.
I classify those vets who do not take the time to investigate what is being said by the FDA and victims owners--and their own records--as being like the rats that followed the music of the Pied Piper. They do not think for themselves, they just follow the Pied Piper, in this case Fort Dodge.
I believed in ProHeart6 at first because my vet believed in it and I was told it was safe. That was one of the biggest mistakes of my life and my beloved Hunter paid with his life. Fort Dodge says in that letter that the best source of information is “your vet”. Well, in this case I think not. At least as far as those vets on the discussion boards are concerned and any like them.
I hope PH6 never comes back onto the market, but if it does, I hope and ray the bugs are worked out and the amount of adverse reactions/deaths are reatly reduced. I will never use it again unless it is the only product on the market and then I would not have a choice. It killed my Hunter. I know it nd you know it.
I know that Dear Doctor letter is a whitewash, as does everyone else who lost or almost lost a dog to PH6. And we aren’t the only ones. Some who were wise enough to check out PH6 before giving it to their dogs have stated they believe it is a whitewash job.
We who lost or almost lost dogs have been insulted, called names, accused of spreading false statements, accused of forming a conspiracy, etc. Fort Dodge and those head-in-the- hole vets can say what you please--we know the truth. ProHeart6 killed our beloved dogs.
Hunter....Forever in my heart.
God made dogs and then when He perfected them...
He created GOLDENS
Allen Schoen~
