Losing a beloved member of your family is never an easy thing to go through.
Still, please accept our most sincere condolences for your loss.
Though there are some things we simply can’t control in life, including what happens inside our furry friend’s body after taking certain medications, you can take some precautionary measures in the future so no other dog will have to ever experience the same thing.
This is why this article was made: to equip you with everything you need to know about Previcox.
This includes its side effects, alternatives you can consider, and whether or not you should be suing the vet for malpractice. Whenever you’re ready, let’s get right to it.
What to do if your dog died from Previcox?
The first possible course of action you can take is an autopsy of your dog.
Though this may be unbearable at first, it will enable you to pinpoint what exactly caused their unfortunate death.
Whether it is Previcox or not, it is always wise to double-check and be 100% sure of what factor(s) caused by it.
Because some cases, such as the presence of underlying health conditions or toxic exposures, may also be the primary cause of death.
Suppose Previcox was the inevitable culprit, then there is something you can do about it.
You could file a complaint to the drug company responsible for the unfortunate death, with supporting documentation, including your dog’s medical records and all the events that took place before the time of death.
For further details on how to submit a report on severe drug experiences, please visit the FDA on drug reporting.
Learning more about the drugs your pet consumes, how they work, and their possible side effects can serve you well when choosing which medications are safe for each furry pal of yours.
What is Previcox, like really?
For those who don’t know what this oddly named drug is, Previcox is essentially a pain reliever to help relieve your furry pal’s osteoarthritis (also known as OA for short) pain and inflammation.
Previcox is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can usually be attained from your local vet.
Alright, cool, so, how does it work?
Glad you asked!
As soon as your tail-wagging pal receives the first dose, the drug will typically start to work within an hour.
Previcox works to pinpoint and manage the source of pain and inflammation.
This is done by inhibiting the COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) enzyme.
It is the COX-2 enzyme that aids in the production of the substances that are the culprits of the experienced pain and inflammation.
Previcox usually comes in chewable tablets, which also means good news for needle-fearing furry pals!
Best of all, it comes in notoriously delicious barbecue flavors that can be either be given before or after their meal.
One study suggests that about 96 percent of dog owners saw significant improvements in their furry friend’s OA after taking Previcox for about a month, and 60 percent of the dog owners reported an overall improvement.
How much Previcox dosage is ideal for dogs?
According to studies, the ideal Previcox dosage for safe and effective usage is 5.0 mg per kg body weight and should be taken once orally a day.
If your furry pal weighs 12.5 to 18 lbs, get half of the 57 mg of the Previcox tablet, but if your dog weighs 19 to 35 pounds, get one total 57 mg Previcox tablet.
For dogs weighing 36 to 71 pounds, give them half a 227 mg Previcox tablet, but if your dog weighs 72 to 120 lbs, give them one whole 227 mg Previcox tablet.
In some cases, that is for dogs weighing between 121 and 160 lbs, get one and a half 227 mg Previcox tablets.
However, if your dog weighs within the 161 to 240 lbs range, give them 2 whole 227 mg Previcox tablets.
Note: When in doubt, or if your dog has underlying health issues, please seek professional advice from your vet on whether Previcox is suitable.
What are the side effects of intaking Previcox?
Like most drugs that both humans and fellow furry pals consume, there are various side effects that you or your dog may experience throughout the medication duration.
For the case of your furry pal intaking Previcox for their OA, it may cause both manageable side effects as well as severe side effects related to the NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that can happen with or without warning.
Some of the common side effects are often associated with your dog’s digestive system, which usually involves vomiting and a lower appetite than usual.
In other cases, there have been reports on possible kidney and liver issues after consuming Previcox.
For a complete checklist of possible side effects that indicate your furry pal is having a hard time with Previcox, include:
- Bowel movement changes (these include diarrhea or black, bloody, or starry tools)
- Vomiting (oh goodness no)
- Odd behavioral changes (coordination deficiency, seizures, sudden changes in activity levels, or aggression)
- Gums, skin, or the white part of the eyes turns yellow-ish
- Irregular drinking habits
- Irregular potty breaks (look for changes in color, smell, or the number of times they take a loo)
- Redness, scabs, or scratches on the skin
- Sudden weight loss (assuming they are not on a beauty diet or anything)
Note: If you notice any of these side effects or signs, immediately contact or book an appointment with your local vet for prompt treatment.
Some of these side effects may also be signs of other underlying health conditions such as OA or osteoarthritis.
Factor to consider before giving your dog Previcox
Following the confirmed diagnosis for OA in your dog, you and your vet would have to discuss several factors before deciding on whether Previcox is the best medication for your dog or if you should seek other alternatives.
With that being said, here are some primary factors to consider:
Medical History
You will need to gather all (aka everything you can find) the medical records of things such as allergies to other NSAIDs such as Asprin for example, any other underlying health conditions such as any issues with the liver and/or the kidney.
In addition, it is essential that you mention any vitamins, over-the-counter drugs, or any other form of medication your furry pal has taken before.
Physical Condition
If your furry friend happens to be under the age of 7 months, is pregnant, lactating, or planning to breed, then it is vital that you mention these things to your vet during your consultation.
This helps the vet decide on whether Previcox would be safe for your dog or not.
Diet (aka their daily meal plans)
Every dog has their specific diets, and factors including how much they eat, how often they eat, and what they eat plays a crucial role in how your dog’s body might respond to the drug.
Is Previcox prescription or over-the-counter?
Previcox is classified as a COX-2 NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) used specifically to relieve the pain and inflammation caused by OA.
This drug is prescribed, which means you will need authorization and prior diagnosis from your local vet.
As the name suggests, the drug’s main duty is to inhibit the COX-2 enzyme from generating substances that ultimately cause pain and inflammation.
Are there are other (safer) alternatives to Previcox?
If your dog happens to be allergic to NSAIDs or if you simply choose to play the safe card to mitigate the risks of the side effects from Previcox, then boy, do we have news for you! Apparently, there are natural and safer alternatives to Previcox (*mini air punch*). There are two known natural alternatives so far, which include:
CBD Oils
Like Previcox, CBD oils can relieve pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis (OA). What’s even better is its zero harmful side effects and additional benefits.
These benefits include helping in reducing anxieties, aiding in cancer recovery, kissing nauseousness goodbye, and mitigating seizures.
How about that for a bonus?
Hemp Dog Vitamin Chews
The fact that these are chewies makes it an excellent medication for older dogs, as these chewies are soft and easily chewable.
Fear not, THC is absent from these vitamin chews.
These chewies contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can significantly aid in relieving pain and inflammation.
Should you sue a vet if this occurs?
No bad deed should ever go unpunished, which is why the law exists!
Getting justice for the loss of your beloved furry companion is a good call, but there are some things you should know before you choose to move forward with suing your vet.
Suing a vet due to malpractice can be quite the challenge of getting fair compensation.
Although some lawyers may be unwilling to take this kind of case, there are a handful of capable lawyers out there who may be up for the task, especially when you have evidence to back up their stance in the court.
Compensations may vary from the policies that apply in where you live and exceptional circumstances that might put up a strong case to get reasonable compensation.
To strengthen your stance and appeal, ensure you can provide evidence for the following:
- The vet took the responsibility to treat your dog
- Treatment was well below acceptable medical standards
- Failure of the treatment or medication caused the death of your dog.
Lawyers who accept these cases will typically request a contingency fee; this refers to taking a fraction of the compensation you get if you win the case.
Suppose the settlement does not seem to be worth the costs of hiring your lawyer. In that case, there are some other alternatives you can do instead.
These include getting an insurance settlement, appealing for a small claims court, filing a simple negligence lawsuit, or filing a complaint.
