Pansy

Pansy was pulled from a shelter in Southern IL. She was brought up to a Foster Home. Once in Foster Care, she was given her first shots and was wormed. Unfortunately, the vet had given her Ivermectin Injectable for her wormer. She was wormed on Friday and passed away Tuesday morning. Ivermectin is used in HeartGard and other oral wormers. There is an injectable version of it as well that works a little different in the body. Some breeds, such as Collies, Shelties, Border Collies, Old English Sheepdogs, and Aussies, are allergic to it.

It's a genetic trait in these breeds and there is no feasible way to tell if they have it. If they do have the allergy, the Ivermectin Injectable will paralyze the brain and the body will shut down. Once in the body, there is no treatment. Oral versions such as Heartgard will have side effects such as lethargy, hypersalivation (excessive drooling), diarrhea, vomiting, and death. The oral version is a lower dose and usually well tolerated without these side effects. If you have one of these breeds, please watch carefully as they are known to be more affected by Ivermectin.

Pansy was only 16 weeks old. She was just getting used to being in Foster Care and getting her first taste of a loving home.