[/b]Short story: Dosing instructions on my dogs medication was wrong. I gave it to the dog per the incorrect dosing instructions. Month later he gets sick, he has a suspected stomach ulcer, likely from to much NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). [/b]

My dog takes a pain medication for arthritis and has for years. Took the dog to the vet 2 months ago and they changed his dose. I finished out the month with the meds I already had and then got the new script filled at a local pharmacy. When I picked up the script I noticed the instructions had changed from 1x day to 2x a day but didn't think to much of it.

So, yesterday dog starts throwing up. Still throwing up today, super lethargic, black stool. Thought he was dying. Take him to the vet and he thinks it's an ulcer and it may have to do with the Meloxicam (arthritis med). We get to talking and I mention that the dosing frequency changed when I filled the script last month. The vet says that can't be right and pulls up the script that they gave me 2 months ago, it said give the med once a day. Get home and my medication bottle says give it twice a day which is what I had been doing. The vet said if he were getting to much of the med it certainly could contribute to ulcers or other problems.

So what could/ should I do? Should I go talk to someone at the pharmacy or try to get them to pay for my vet bill? I mean, I'm irritated but that could have been someones kid. Not to mention this wasn't exactly cheap

8/30/2012 10:57:58 AM

do you go to a regular pharmacy for pet medications?

8/30/2012 11:01:30 AM

Personally I'd try to get the pharmacy to pay the bill. Like you said it could have been a person they made the mistake with which would be a very costly lawsuit for them.

8/30/2012 11:02:03 AM

I do go to a regular pharmacy. However, the medication he gets is also used for humans. It's also worth noting that he is a person sized dog (~135lbs).

8/30/2012 11:04:46 AM

get documentation from your vet showing the medication, dosing, proof of incorrect labeling, and the vet's professional opinion that the incorrect information led to over-medication and thus the dog's problems. You also need to demand payment for all related vet bills until this issue is cleared up, including a grace period in case something pops back up.

8/30/2012 11:06:09 AM

Update: Spoke to the pharmacy and got a copy of the script. The script was written for 7.5mg SID.

SID is apparently the veternary term for once a day. BID is apparently means twice a day for humans.
The folks at the pharmacy interpreted SID as BID and labeled the bottle with take twice a day.

I can see where it would happen but the "S" on the script looks nothing like a "B".

8/30/2012 12:22:08 PM

was it meloxicam 7.5 mg or 15 mg? If it's 7.5 mg, it's unlikely the cause of your dog's stomach ulcer, especially if your dog weights 135 lbs.

8/30/2012 12:26:11 PM

7.5mg

My was pretty confident that was the cause. He thought the med was likely before he found out he was getting double dosed though.

8/30/2012 12:48:09 PM

if the pharmacy had a question ab the script they should have called the doctor

it's their responsibility to verify the dosage if they have a doubt

8/30/2012 12:48:26 PM

I'm trying to figure out the best way to file a complaint and with who.

8/30/2012 12:55:44 PM

talk with the pharmacy manager. That person should make things right for you.

8/30/2012 12:59:25 PM

So basically the pharmacy admitted to being lazy and not calling the doctor when they didn't understand the script Maybe they want to get sued lol.

8/30/2012 1:01:48 PM

please share which pharmacy this is so i don't go there.

8/30/2012 1:42:08 PM

^

8/30/2012 3:08:30 PM

7.5mg is still a bit high for a dog that weighs 135lbs. Meloxicam is dosed (usually) at 0.1mg/kg SID so getting 15mg/day could def. cause an ulcer. you're lucky it didnt perforate and cause a septic abdomen, that would been $$$$$.

it's def. the pharmacy's fault and they should be held responsible. as an aside, i was always taught in school to write out in words what your dosing is (once a day vs SID) on scripts because human vs. vet med abbreviations are different.

[Edited on August 31, 2012 at 6:25 PM. Reason : .]

8/31/2012 6:23:51 PM

I love that they just assume SID & BID are the same thing

1. a pharmacist should know better - of course, they probably had the tech do it

2. they'll stumble all over themselves trying to make up bullshit excuses if they get audited and that script gets pulled

9/1/2012 11:29:15 AM

Quote :

"you're lucky it didnt perforate and cause a septic abdomen, that would been $$$$$. "

He quit drinking and has been hospitalized since Friday. I'm hoping to take him home tonight. Vet bill is around 2k atm



As far as them paying for it... I think they will. I've spoken to the NC board of pharmacy a couple of times. I'm ready to file a formal complaint but want to wait to hear what their corporate "Risk Management" folks say first. The store manager and pharmacy manager looked much more concerned when I mentioned someone better get to me sooner, rather then later, before I decide to file a formal complaint with the board of pharmacy. I also happen to notice something with their labeling that wasn't in compliance with state requirements. I would also file complaints with the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator. So yes. I do think I'll see my money back.

9/2/2012 3:51:14 PM

This is a case in which you should file a complaint with the pharmacy board and file a lawsuit for the compinsation of treatment. I would fully expect you to complain to the veterinary board if the vet were at fault. People make mistakes and most of the time it doesn't cause an issue, but in this case it did (Honestly why MDs, DVMs, Pharmacists etc have malpractice insurance. It isn't like anybody plans to do harm, but mistakes happen).

The Meloxicam dose was WAY to High. I try and avoid scripting Meloxicam to any dogs or cats, but if your dog has been on it and doing well pre-overdose, I would keep him on it (have a handful of patients on the med). Though one can not confirm that this is the cause of your dog's sickness, it is very likely the cause based on the symptoms described.

As for SID vs BID. I know a lot of human doctors that write SID for once daily. Same with vets. I have always stuck to writing q24 on my scripts for once daily so there is no confusion. But in this case it is without question the pharmacist's fault (probably a tech that filled it, but in the end it is the resonsibility of the pharmacist---Just like at a vet practice when my techs fill the meds, but ultimately it is my resonsibility to make sure it is correct).

So overall a crappy situation. Hopefully your dog is able to bounce back. And while I am sure no malace was intended you have the right to file a complaint and a lawsuit in this case.

9/2/2012 7:34:43 PM