I'm kind of mid-panic attack, and could really do with advice.
I've been looking after a friend's two ddogs whilst she's been on holiday. They're both gorgeous and I love them like my own. One of them is notoriously food-driven, and has form for doing gymnastics to get to anything vaguely edible! I'm very aware of this, so ott careful about making sure all food is hidden, especially anything potentially toxic such as chocolate or xylitol.
Anyway, he's on a couple of medications, and I was being very careful with the instructions and doses etc. In addition to his usual meds, he was on a ten-day course of anti-inflammatory meds (Rimadyl). I wasn't familiar with them, and had no idea whatsoever that they were designed to taste nice for dogs.
He hates the taste of his other pills and tries to spit them out. So it didn't occur to me for a second that these would be different.
Well, the meds were generally on a high cabinet anyway. But I put them on a table whilst sorting them. Last Saturday evening, whilst sorting it all, I wanted to double-check I'd got it all right, and left the box on the table for a moment whilst I went to text my friend to check. My phone was charging in another room.
I came back in to discover said dog had jumped up on the table, opened the box, ripped the packaging and eaten the remaining 7 Rimadyl pills 😢 I went into total panic. I didn't know if it was a toxic dose or not. I had to ring my friend and explain (so hard) and she was very kind, and understood, and said to ring the emergency vet (Saturday night). I did, and gave them details of his weight and dose etc. They said I needed to bring him in asap to get an injection to make him vomit. I acted as fast as I could, but the problem was that the emergency vet was about an hour away! Directions were complex and we ended up in the wrong place, so more delay. When we got there they tried to make him vomit, but it didn't work (which is weird) and they said it'd probably already left his tummy and advised that he be kept in for IV fluids and charcoal. Other option was charcoal treatment at home and careful observation. I rang his human again, and got her consent for option 1. Should say that dog seemed 100% normal, and no ill effects, but obviously took their advice anyway.
Well, overjoyed to say that every blood test was fine, and that he was fine throughout. No ill effects whatsoever at any point. So 🎉 He got home after 36 hours. Drama over. That 36 hours was hell, the waiting, and the desperate crippling guilt. I'm so so careful about things - how could it have happened?
Fast forward a few days, and both dogs well and happy. Friend returning this evening. But she's been saddled with a circa £1700 vet bill that I increasingly think was avoidable. You see, I've been researching Rimadyl in depth since, as in reading medical literature etc. It's clear that the dose starts to become toxic from 22mg per kg of dog weight. Dog in question weighs 40kg, so he needed 880mg minimum for any toxicity. He only ingested 700mg. He would have been fine! I'm certain. He's eaten so many dodgy things over the years and seems to have the stomach of an ox!
So now I'm feeling guilty I just accepted everything the vet surgery told me. I'm also upset they put me in a state of terror, by saying it was a very high overdose, when it simply wasn't.
I've got multiple layers of guilt about the whole episode. I'd offer to pay the bill myself, but can't remotely afford it. She can afford it. But even so...
Please help with any wisdom you have. How would you move on from this?
Thank you