Printer-friendlyA dog that barely survived acute ivermectin poisoning went home with his owner recently after treatment at the University of Florida Small Animal Hospital. This near-death experience prompted UF veterinarians to warn pet owners to take stock of all their pets’ medications, particularly how and when they are administered, especially around other animals both in the household and the barn yard.
“Many people already know to be aware of medications in their homes, and to be careful how those drugs are stored so that pets and children can’t get access to them,” said Dr. Carsten Bandt, an emergency and critical care specialist and chief of the hospital’s emergency service. “However, people may not think about environments other than houses, such as barns or farms, where different types of animals frequently mingle and medications may be given outside.”
Sandra Johnson, who has a farm in Archer, gave her four horses their deworming medication on May 17 but didn’t see her 2.5-year-old Australian shepherd, Charly, creep through the barn. When she did see him a few minutes later, Charly’s head was down, and soon after, he was crawling. Johnson knew immediately that her dog’s situation was an emergency, but didn’t realize what had happened until a veterinarian asked if Charly had consumed ivermectin.
It turned out the medication she had given her horses, unlike the type she usually purchased, had been flavored, and Charly had eaten what one of the horses spit out. Flavoring in medications may make dosing easier, but it also makes lost doses more enticing to animals not suited for the treatment.
“It’s when you deviate from your routine that things start to fall apart,” Johnson said. “If something smells good, a dog is going to eat it.”
Ivermectin is routinely used to prevent heartworm and to treat ear mites in many pets. The drug is also used as a general dewormer in horses.
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