Silk, my 11 year old
Doberman Pinscher, is the love of my life! Silk was 10 1/2
weeks old when she came to share my life. I had never
previously owned a Doberman Pinscher, so I was oblivious to
what was in store for our relationship. Silk quickly
demonstrated why the Doberman Community refers to the
Doberman's as "Velcro Dogs".
When Silk was just a
baby, we went to a few conformation "Fun matches".
I will never forget
the first "Fun Match" that Silk and I attended. I was so
nervous, and Silk was full of energy and mischief. Judy
Bennett was the judge for Silk's group, and there were only
two Doberman puppies entered. My Sister, Debbie Baird, had
some experience showing in the conformation ring, and offered
some very valuable advise that I will never forget......."Just
have fun"! Ok, that sounded pretty simple but if it were that
simple.....why was I so nervous? Silk and I were finally
instructed to enter the ring, along with our competitor.
Naturally, we were
called on first to demonstrate our abilities! Well, what
happened next would change my life and our relationship
forever.
Silk and I proceeded
around the ring, and much to my disbelief, Silk began to run
and jump on my legs......all the way around the ring. She, also,
had to add some vocals along the way. To this day, I believe
Silk thought we were playing as we had done so many times at
home. Although we received 2nd place out of two puppies, we
both had so much fun and I will never forget those words of
wisdom that my sister offered.
In the Summer months
of 1994, one day after Silk's first Birthday, she officially
became an AKC Companion Dog!!! Although she was entered for
all four days at the Astrohall Series of Dog Shows, she
finished her CD title in the first three days.
On February 25, 2003,
Silk was prescribed Deramaxx for a left rear leg injury. On
February 27, 2003, after just two 100 mg tablets were given,
Silk experienced a Deramaxx Adverse Reaction that would leave
her life in jeopardy. Silk spent approximately six days and
nights in a Specialist Hospital on IV fluids. A scope was
performed and the results were that her entire stomach lining
had been sloughed off. Silk had bled from every orifice in her
body. The feelings of guilt and anger are still very alive
within me. The Vet that prescribed the
Deramaxx never offered
the Deramaxx patient information sheet, and when ask about the
potential side effects, the Vet informed me that unlike
Rimadyl, Deramaxx was safe. The
Vet also informed me that Deramaxx was a COX-2 Inhibitor which would
protect the GI tract, unlike Rimadyl.
Silk did recover but not
without major permanent damages resulting from the
Deramaxx.
The total cost of saving Silk's life, due to the
Deramaxx/Deracoxib
Adverse Reaction was approximately $4,500.00. In May of 2003,
I took Silk to a local Orthopedic surgeon and Silk had to
endure surgery to repair a left rear knee injury.
Deramaxx is
considered a "Sulfa Drug", in which some breeds should not be
exposed to. The Doberman Pinscher happens to be one of those
breeds. The FDA has sent "Dear Doctor" letters to Novartis,
concerning their objections to Animal Health US, Inc. for
their Deramaxx false marketing tactics.
Silk will be eleven
years young on July 19, 2004. She is truly "God's 'Lil
Angel!!!
