Dewormed 2 of my 3 dogs now one is dead and the other is on her way.

[yarnovermom]

I had 3 dogs, a Pug (14 yrs old), a Shepard mix (12 yrs old), and a Doberman mix (7 yrs old) all perfectly healthy with the two older dogs being at a normal weight instead of the usual overweight for older dogs.  The Pug and Shepard were showing signs of having worms (diarrhea and pink gums).  I usually buy Nemex but this time I bought Safe Guard.  It said to give the wormer over a 3 day span, which I started on Monday March 9, 2015 and ended on March 11, 2015 and gave less dosage than was recommended.  During that time both dogs showed signs of being off balance which I have seen before when I had given them Nemex so I wasn't worried. By March 13 (2 days after I gave the final dosage) they both seemed to get worse with them just laying around with unfocused eyes and heavy breathing.  On the 14th my Pug started swelling so I got down on the ground to look at her more closely.  What I found were 'pockets' of jelly like fluid under the skin of her front legs, around her throat, her head and around her hind legs so I checked the Shepard mix and she was the same but not as bad.  My Pug died on Monday March 16th, exactly one week from the start of worming them.  My Shepard mix now looks like she has a Chow head because her head is so swollen.  She is extremely wobbly, can no longer see or smell and has swollen up from about the middle of her side down with her back bone protruding because she is emaciated and has lost about 10 lbs in a weeks time. I will be surprised if she makes it through this night into the morning hours.  I have  searched the Internet for any known side affects this dewormer has and the only thing I found was that it can cause nausea and vomiting but nothing else.  I am at a loss as to what happened to my 2 dogs.  Since I did not worm my Doby mix she is just fine.  I know it could not have been something they ate since the Doby would have eaten it as well and is just fine.  I have vast experience with dogs, raising, training, treating and general care however I have no idea why this stuff has done this to my dogs.  I looked up the symptoms and everything points to liver failure.  This is something new to me and according to what I have read there is no cure.  So what exactly happened to my two dogs?  If anyone has any additional information I would so greatly appreciate it if you could let me know.  I do know this much...I WILL NEVER USE SAFE GUARD AGAIN!

[Margot49]

Know what you mean by the big company issues.  Never the less, I always report things pertaining to my human or animal families and I keep a record of it.  And, at least your Vet is aware of the situation whether he agrees with it or not.  Somewhere down the pike,mshe may run into something like this again.
Ah, feel bad for your Dobie, poor girl.  Think you might get her a new companion?  So many in Shekters and rescue that need loving homes.
Thanks for the update.  

[yarnovermom]

We did call the company about what happened to both dogs that were wormed with their product.  Their statement: "There must have been some unknown health problems that caused the death of the dogs."  They had no answer as to why it did the same thing to the two dogs I used their product on.  As always with big companies, it is NEVER their fault.  Thank you to all of you for your sympathies.  My Doberman, who was once afraid to jump on the bed, has now started to sleep with me and she always starts out with her chin on my shoulder with a kiss every now and then.  The day we buried my Shepard she walked around the house wining and howling.  All three were as close as sisters and you can tell she misses them too.

[Margot49]

I hope you reported this to the company.

[ginger899]

I am so dreadfully sorry for your loss, yarnovermom.

My question is -why is this obviously toxic product still on sale?? Okay it may not affect every dog that way, but if it has the chance of killing ANY dog, and vets are actually aware of this, it should be withdrawn!

[Margot49]

So very sorry to read this, terrible loss.  Glad you consulted with your Vet.  I guess this should be a Heads Up regarding the possible side effects of this wormer.  One just never knows.  

[yarnovermom]

Thank you to everyone who commented on my post.  On Thursday, March 19th, we took my Shepard mix to the vet to have her put to sleep.  We told him what had transpired with the wormer.  He said he had heard of this wormer having this reaction.  He said it was rare but could not explain why it would affect BOTH dogs.  He did examine my Shepard and said she had brain damage, thus the reason she could not smell, see, hear, taste, nor feel, which was caused by the wormer.  He also said that once the wormer was administered there would have been nothing he could have done except 'put them down'.  He said I did nothing wrong since I gave each dog less the recommended dosage of the wormer. He said both dogs were healthier than most dogs their age and that they were not under weight nor over weight and up to date with all shots. The house seems empty without them here.  We buried them next to each other.

[lindapalm]

I agree with Margot49, dog should have been rushed to the vet.  If he's still alive, borrow the money if necessary, or charge it, he sounds like he's in tremendous pain.

[Margot49]

I have tried to do some looking around and am really not seeing any red flags either.  Supposed to be safe but who knows what dog might react to what.  I have seen and heard of a few dogs reacting to OTC flea and tick products.

I assume you are sure you gave the correct dose.  However, from what I read, an overdose would not express these symptoms.

Any chance they got into antifreeze?  You happen to have any mushrooms coming up in your yard?  

So sorry you and the dogs have had to go through this.  

[yarnovermom]

Like I said, I had seen my dogs wobbley after giving them a wormer so I was not concerned until Friday evening of the 13th.  My vet was closed and did not open until Monday, by then it was too late.  My German Shepard did make it through the night, however, I do not count on her staying alive long enough for me to take her to the vet to be put to sleep since nothing can be done to help her by now.

I am disabled, thus on limited funds.  My vet will not allow me to make payments on a vet bill even if my Shepard mix was savable.  Still the point is that I gave my dogs a different wormer and it has killed them.  I accept full responsibility for my actions and know it is my fault my Pug is dead and my Shepard mix is going to be dead this day because I am the one who gave them something I had no knowledge nor experience with.  The final point is that I will not give the same thing to my Doberman, EVER.  

[Margot49]

So sorry to read this but it is late here and I don't have time to research this right now.  I have a good deal of experience in dogs also but never used OTC wormers.  
My question is, why didn't you get them in to your Vet right away????