There is increasing evidence that a particular antibiotic can cause severe reactions in Irish Water Spaniels. The drug Co-trimoxazole is thought to be linked to the deaths of at least two IWS's recently in this country, and there have been cases both here and abroad where IWS's have become severely ill following the administration of this drug. A number of vets now think that the Irish Water Spaniel should be added to the list of breeds which should not be given Co-trimoxazole.
The SIWSC and the IWSA are very grateful to Mrs. Penny Diamond who,
following the death of her young dog “Cal”, has spent much time and energy
researching into the factors which caused his death, and has made available to us the
literature on which this warning is based.
According to its original manufacturers, “Co-trimoxazole is a highly effective
antibacterial/antiparasitic (drug”). Indications for the prescribing of this
drug are give in the British National Formulary as, “urinary tract infections,
prostatitis, exacerbation's of chronic bronchitis and invasive salmonella
infections”. Because the drug is relatively cheap, it has been widely used by
vets in the past. However, the drug can have side effects which include rashes,
which are common, and some more serious such as haematological effects. It is the
latter that appears to have caused the death of the dogs in question.
Included below, with permission from the Dutch IWS Club, from its Newsletter of May 1995,
is a translation of a letter to the Editor, and a reply from Ank ter Kuile. I think
that this will leave none in any doubt that there are problems in the usage of
Co-trimoxazole in IWS's.
From inflammation of the bladder to a near disaster.
Our “Siobhan” had an inflammation of the bladder and our vet prescribed
Microtim, a common remedy that is widely used. After a week “Siobhan”
started to walk with difficulty and found it very hard to get up. The diagnosis was
that all the joints were
inflamed and we were advised to stop her medication for a while. After this visit to
the vet we consulted three others in one and a half days to get a second opinion. My
husband and I were frantic and close to despair. Siobhan slowly became paralysed and
was visibly deteriorating. Luckily this story has a happy ending.
The final conclusion is no more Microtim - ever. This is the trade name of the drug,
the active ingredients being Trimethoprim and Sulphonamide.
According to our vet it is well known that Dobermans react adversely this, and for that
reason it is never prescribed to them. He could not tell me anything about IWS's,
hence our warning to never use medicines containing Trimethoprin-Sulphonamide
preparations. There is a great risk that other IWS's will be over sensitive to these
drugs. Moreover, there are sufficient alternative drugs to treat the inflammation of
the bladder.
Ans and Cees Spruit-van der Meer
* * * * * *
With reference to the above letter about the prescription of Microtrim to
Siobhan.
With my vet’s co-operation, I have researched the link between the anti-biotic
Co-trimoxazole which is used in England, (causing the deaths of Fynder Bran, Penny
Diamond’s young dog, An Lachan of Lisadorn, and some other IWS's to be at
death’s door,
but who, like Siobhan, could be saved,) and Microtrim. The medicines seem identical.
The medicines Amphoprimol, Sulfatrim and Delfoprim which are used in Holland also have the
same combination of ingredients. The Sulfatrim patient information leaflet states that
there can be serious side effects from which a dog might die. This is indeed an
exception, but it does happen more frequently in Dobermans. This is apparently the
case in IWS's - Be Warned!
Ank ter Kuile.
* * * * * *
So what should you do if your vet says “Your dog needs an antibiotic”.
Ask why and request a full explanation
Tell your vet that you do not wish your dog to receive Co-trimoxazole (or any branded equivalent); or any other antibiotics that have a sulphonamide or Trimethoprim as a component
Tell your vet why you do not want your dog to have these drugs
Insist that your dog’s veterinary card is clearly marked thereafter
with a warning that,” IWS's can react severely to Co-trimoxazole, Trimethoprim and
drugs containing sulphonamides”
NB Septrim and Bactrim are brand names for Co-trimoxazole so do not accept these as an antibiotic for your dog either. Co-trim may be used as an abbreviation for Co-trimoxazole.
Danger to Irish Water
Spaniels
The vast majority of breeders and most owners are aware that the use of “Potentiated
Sulphonomides” as an antibiotic on the breed carries unacceptable and even life
threatening risks for Irish Water Spaniels. Most of the warnings have centred on
Co-Trimoxazole, which contains sulphamethoxazole and trimethroprim. However,
in a recent case, a puppy owner had made her vet aware of the problems and had instructed
that, under no circumstances, should such drugs be used and the vet still prescribed a
brand, Tribrissen, which contained sulphadiazine and trimethroprim, a difference of hair
splitting proportions only. Luckily the puppy owner checked on the brand name and
even more luckily the breeder was Penny and a potential disaster was averted. Please
ensure that your vet is aware that under no circumstances should “Potentiated
Sulphonomides” be used on Irish Water Spaniels and ensure that he/she writes this
clearly on your dog’s records.
At this time of year with the possibility of your dog going to kennels, while you are on
holiday, please also ensure that the kennel is made aware that:-
THIS TYPE OF DRUG MUST NOT BE USED.
Some kennels use this type of drug routinely for upset stomachs and since
the change of diet/environment may cause this, the risk of the drug being used is higher
than normal, in thissituation.
The following antibiotics are based on Potentiated Sulphonomides for veterinary use:-
Co Trimoxazole Sulphamethoxazole Trimethroprim
Tribrissen
Delvoprim
Dulphatrim Sulphadiazine Trimethroprim
Norodine
Trimacare
Borgal Sulphadioxine Trimethroprim
Zaquilan Sulphadimethoxine Baquiloprim
As problems have been identified with Irish Water Spaniels that have been prescribed this group of antibiotics, you are strongly advised to seek alternative drugs, where necessary.
