You need a specialist. Rimadyl is a dangerous drug. Where do you live? Maybe I can find you some help. Or I can get you a phone consult.

Have your vet show you the “product insert” for the vaccine. Check for these reactions. Sometimes vets don’t realize that a particular reaction is commonplace.

Also, contact the vaccine manufacturer. They may well say they’ve never heard of a reaction like this (they too often do no matter what the reaction), but they’ll have to report it to the USDA. But maybe they’ll surprise you and help.

Don’t hesitate to consult another vet if the condition doesn’t improve quickly — particularly a vet trained in homeopathy. A good vet will welcome another opinion. For referral lists, see http://www.dogs4dogs.com/vets

Re Big Pharma caring about our pets, I’m skeptical. I think they are interested in the bottom line. Why else would they push vaccines that are dangerous and have annual revaccination recommendations on their vials? I hope you make them pay for your dog’s illness.

Thanks so much for the update.

Its been over a year and a half since I first contacted you about my dog Nico developing IMHA after receiving the K9 flu vaccine. It has been a long recovery period for him, but so far he seems to be doing well and back to his old self. My Vet continues to followed up on his recovery very closely. Nico’s has been weaned completely off prednisone this past May 2011. So far his Hgb, Hct and Total Bili have been within normal limits. His follow up appointments are now once a month and his next blood test is next week. My Vet has consulted with other Vets across the USA and it has been decided that Nico can no longer have another vaccine due to that fact it can easily trigger him to get IMHA again. The risk isn’t worth it.

It has been a very long and expensive recovery period. My vet no longer offers this vaccine, and I no longer see it advertised in the local pet stores. If the original literature would have included all of the adverse reactions and warnings, this entire situation could have been avoided. Unfortunately, they failed to disclose any of the reactions or side effects, including death in the original literature.

My heart goes out to all of the other dog owners who lost a very important member of their family because of this K9 flu vaccine. Even though Nico seems to be fully recovered, we worry about relapse. I am always watching and observing for the slightest change. Vacations now include the dogs and our destinations are always in the vicinity of a reputable vet.

In the past two years I learned that the law views pets as property. I also learned that this view is slowly changing. Hopefully the pharmaceutical companies have learned that our pets are very important members of our family. We love them, and we do not view them as property. When they become sick, or hurt, we hurt. We will stand up for our four legged family members and fight for them as their advocate. There is a good reason why they are called our K9 kids because they are.