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Guide To Australian Shepherd Training & Care

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Sweet Annie

by Lara
(Kansas City)

In November I lost my beautiful almost 11 month old Annie. She was a puppy I raised out of my son's Aussie June. I begged my 15 year old son to keep Annie. Funny, it is usually the other way around. She was attached to my side from day one. I absolutely adored her but what was so wonderful is that she felt the same way about me. She was totally loyal to me and was so eager to please me that training her was a breeze.

We wormed our horses Nov 15th with Ivermectin. Knowing it is deadly to our Aussies they were kept up but what we didn't know is that animals wormed with Ivermectin pass toxic levels of it through their feces. If you have horses and dogs you understand that dogs and especially puppies love horse apples. She ingested some horses feces and around 7pm was having severe seizures and slipped into a coma.

The next morning I had to make the heart breaking call to have her put to sleep. I can't believe there are no warning about this on the packaging of these products. I am doing what I can to get the word out. It is the only thing I can do.

I miss her so badly and feel terrible that this happened to my beautiful baby. I am heart broken beyond words :(

Please, if you have livestock and use Ivermectin, keep your dogs away while you worm. (Just a small amount of spilled product can be enough to poison your dog.) also, from what I have researched the feces of animals wormed with Ivermectin are most toxic up to 5 days from the moment you worm and continue to be toxic for up to a month in warm weather. I hope I can keep this from happening to another beloved Aussie.

I'm so unbelievably sad!

More Information About... Ivermectin, Trifexis and MDR1 Gene Mutation in Australian Shepherds

Comments for Sweet Annie

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Jan 08, 2015

Thank you for spreading the word
by: Sandra H

I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your sweet Annie. Thank you for the information on worming horses. We also have horses and although they are at a neighbours house we occasionally take one of the dogs with us and they eat droppings. I had no idea that workers could kill them. We will be very careful in the future..Ty

Jan 08, 2015

So sorry
by: Arlene Moore

I'm so very sorry for your loss :'( She's beautiful and may she run wild and free at the Rainbow Bridge... R.I.P. Sweet Annie <3

Jan 08, 2015

Annie
by: Nancy

I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful Aussie. Yes ivermectin is poison to some Aussies and other dogs too. Our Aussie got it from flea and tick preventer. Frontline Plus. After 1 1/2 years we are still seeing the affects of this stuff. He is no longer getting the seizures after being put on phenobarbital but every once in awhile he gets very excited and jumps up, jumps down, runs here, runs there. The company that makes this product should be forced to put warning labels on this. It's really heartbreaking to see your beautiful Aussie suffering. There is a place in Florida that will check your Aussie for this mutation in some dogs. The test is called MDR1. The test is done at Animal Genetics and costs $55. If you ever get another Aussie, I would have them checked. Good Luck. I feel your heartache.

Jan 08, 2015

so sad!
by: Jamie

I am so sorry for your loss! I am crying on my iPad over your story. My 14 year old Aussie mix named Jett died suddenly in September and I miss him terribly! We have since adopted a full Aussie boy that had been left at a shelter, and he is wonderfully devoted to me like your sweet Annie. Maybe you can save the life of a shelter Aussie. It doesn't erase the pain, but it helps a whole lot. Our new dog Perry has filled the hole in my heart from losing our sweet Jett Jett. It's extra nice because he needed us too.

Sincerely,
with my sympathy, Jamie

Jan 08, 2015

that was tragic
by: Mary ann

I am so so sorry for your loss of annie, how heart breaking for you , this should have been as you said put on box , please know none of this was your fault, your heart is so heavy but know you did everything right by your precious girl Annie and she knows that, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time losing a furbaby is so hard , please know she is over rainbow bridge and is looking down on you with love, annie will always be around you . again I am so sorry you had to go through this . and remember none of this was your fault in any way , and know for 11mths she had your love and she knew it
R.I.P Annie may you be now free running and having a blast until you meet your human mommy again God bless you for putting this out there for those who don't know .
your friend who owns an aussie
mary ann

Jan 08, 2015

Sympathy Adout Loss of Sweet Annie
by: Denise Weber

Will repost this so others don't have to go through what you did. I am so sorry for your loss she was such a beautiful dog. My Aussie went into seizures after a 4H Dog Show. She had an extremely high temperature was rushed to an emergency clinic and then transferred Cornell Vet Hospital. She improved brought her home my vet believes the whole episode was due to Flea n Tick meds. Cami Rose is on anti-seizure meds for life. Again no warning that certain meds are not for every breed as you experienced with the horse wormer.

Jan 09, 2015

Thank You
by: Lara

I want to thank you all for your very kind words and for taking the time to help a complete stranger. One thing I have learned is that Aussies are like no other breed of dog and Aussie parents are very loving and kind. I'm so glad I found this site. Thank you so much

Jan 09, 2015

Annie
by: Hayley

Hi Lara so sorry to hear about your loss of Annie. I got an Aussie pup 5 days ago and I am already so attached to her and I can't imagine how hard it must be for you. Thank you so much for sharing your story and advice.

Jan 09, 2015

Wishes
by: Anonymous

SoSad for you loss, such a beautiful girl.

Jan 09, 2015

I am sorry
by: Denise M.

i am so sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful girl. Rest in peace sweet Annie.

Jan 09, 2015

Test Avail For MDR1
by: Lisa

I'm so sorry for your loss. Ivermectin is only one of a whole list of drugs that MDR1 dogs cannot tolerate. The University of Washington has a test kit you can buy; you do a cheek swab and mail the cotton swabs back to them. I got my results in less than 2 wks. They also have a posted list of drugs to avoid (even common ones like Immodium) that MDR1 dogs must avoid.

Order a DNA Test Kit

Jan 09, 2015

Annie
by: DianeLewisPhotography

SO very sorry for your loss. You are right there is no dog more devoted than an aussie. Their love is truly such a blessing! My heart goes out to you.

True friends really never leave us...they just run ahead and wait for us.

Until that time comes when you see her again, know that she is now a guardian angel to you. She can never be replaced, but I hope that she sends you a special soul to help heal and fill your broken heart with love again. That's what my soulmate Bailey did for me... Hugs and prayers to you and your family.

Thank you for sharing your story as I know it will save lives of others.

Diane

Jan 09, 2015

MDR-1
by: Anonymous

So sorry to hear about your loss. There is a test you can do to see if your dog has a sensitivity to Ivermectin…there is a gene that some breeds and dogs have that will make them sensitive to not only Ivermectin but other medications as well…its worth getting them tested. MRD-1 is what is called.

Hugs to you an your family.

Jan 09, 2015

Just to clarify
by: Lara

Friends, I did know about the MDR1 mutation and sensitivity to ivermectin as well as other drugs but want to STRESS: Annie ate horse feces from a horse that had been wormed with ivermectin and that is what caused her to be poisoned. Most people do not know about this particular danger with ivermectin.

Jan 09, 2015

Thank you
by: Mary kirkpatrick

I'm so sorry, as hard as it is thanks for sharing it might help save dogs

Jan 09, 2015

frontline and seizures
by: Anonymous

We had a wire fox terrier that was having seizures. So, the vet put him on phenobarbitol for YEARS!! He still had seizures, but not as severe. After reading an article about Frontline, I decided to "experiment" by ceasing the Frontline flea & tick medicine. He became a totally different dog! We totally stopped the phenobarbitol after two more months. He lived another 11 1/2 years until two weeks before his 15th birthday with any meds!!
They should stop making this stuff. Please beware, especially if your dog is having seizures while on it.

Jan 10, 2015

All De-wormers?
by: Anonymous

I am so sorry for you loss and I thank you for this priceless information. Is this ONLY applicable to Ivermectin or to ALL horse de-wormers?

Jan 11, 2015

I'm so sorry
by: Gwen Thorne

I am so sorry for your loss- we always say what if and just remember there is always going to be heartbreaking times with our animals . I know just how you feel-so awful that she didn't get to live longer- she was beautiful

Jan 11, 2015

so very sorry for your loss
by: Anonymous

I'm sorry this happened to your beautiful girl . I don't have horses , but am careful that my Aussies don't eat any of the manure we find on the trails we walk daily.

Jan 11, 2015

Annie
by: debbie

Sad beyond words :(:(:(:(:(:(

Jan 12, 2015

all horse wormers
by: Kisha

All horse wormers can/are toxic to dogs both in paste and feces of recently wormed horses. Heartworm meds contain ivermectin which can cause seizures and/or death to some dogs, mostly Shepard /herding breeds.

Jan 12, 2015

For you and Annie
by: Anonymous

Astolat Spring Lady

I nearly didn’t remember
For just a moment or two
But then it all came back to me
The loss is real and true

It only takes the waking
In darkness or in light
Or perhaps the dreaming
In the middle of the night

Sometimes it’s a breeze of Spring
Or a gust of promised snow
That opens up the memories
And makes me miss Her so

Her gaze was not judgmental
She saw in to my soul
And always knew the story
Without even being told

I nearly didn’t remember
Til the sunlight made an arc
Or the evening turned cool
Then the night sky was dark

So every breath can bring her
Gentle loving soul
Every drop can match the tear
That tries to fill the hole – in my heart

My Lady, My Astolat Spring Lady
I miss you every day
I love you forever
I am coming soon I pray

Jan 12, 2015

Annie
by: Lori

Ivermectin can be deadly to many of the herding breeds. It is called MDR1 (Multi Drug Resistance). The drugs build up and do not dissipate from the dogs system, causing toxicity. There are several informative articles regarding MDR1. Google it. Washington State University have valuable information and offers testing. Another testing lab is Animal Genetics in Florida. It is a simple cheek swab. I came VERY close to losing one of my aussies when a show vet gave her an Immodium to help control severe diarrhea, she came oh so close to dying. There is a fairly extensive list of drugs to avoid posted on WSU website. So very sorry on the loss of your little sweetheart. RIP Annie

Jan 12, 2015

Daisey, our Saintly Saint Bernard
by: Anonymous

I think we lost our St. Bernard for the same reason. We have a mini pig that lives inside. We ivomec her 3 times a year. Our saint loved to snack in the pig box. YUCK! As much as we tried to stop it and be preventative she would always find a way. She who was only 6 had a seizure at 4 pm, then another at 6:30 with 6 more to follow till we had to make the devistating decision the next morning at the emergency vet. We were heartbroken!!! I never put 2+2 together till reading this article. I will help spread the word of ivomectin deadly side effects on canines.

Jan 12, 2015

Wow
by: Anonymous

I am so thankful for you posting this. Several years ago we had a Aussie. She was the most precious thing to my daughter. She was the best everything. One day I came home to find her in the pasture having seizures.They wouldn't stop. I took her into the vet and he did what he could to make her comfortable but by morning I had to make the decision to have her put down.
We have horses. My dogs are always out there eating horse poop. I have a border collie who also developed seizures. He of course doesn't go out there often so his are not bad. He hasn't been out to the horses in months and has not had any seizures. They need to label this.

Jan 12, 2015

Annie
by: Sandy Darby

I have an Aussie named Cowboy and he is nine months old that I bred and have raised and is very devoted to me also, he looks so much like Annie. We have a horse farm and had no idea about the wormer being toxic thru horse poop, thank you for getting the word out, I am so sorry for your loss, it is so hard to loose such a beautiful animal, I would like to add so others know that horse hoof trimmings can also be deadly, we lost our Jack Russell to that, dog love them but they are sharp and can cut open the gut, be careful !

Jan 13, 2015

Sweet Annie
by: Nancy Crawford

So sorry for your loss .... Thank you for sharing this very important information..... God bless .....

Jan 13, 2015

Sorry
by: Felicia Pelton

So sorry for your loss. She was so beautiful! I'm sure she'll always be in your heart.

Jan 14, 2015

Heart Guard
by: Cindy

I thought Heart Guard for heart worms has ivermectrin in it. Did not know it was bad for dogs. I have seen people use horse wormer in the tubes on their dogs with ill effects. it sounds like just certain breeds. I know xylitol is ready. So sorry for your loss. ):

Jan 14, 2015

Annie
by: Anonymous

So sorry you lost your sweet Annie. I almost lost a JRT from Ivermectin poisoning. She went from staggering around (rushed her to the vet) to being completely blind. Vet didn't know if she would get her sight back. Fortunately she did and made a complete recovery after many $$$$. It can be poisonous to any kind of dog. Beware....

Jan 14, 2015

Sweet Annie
by: Anonymous

So sorry for your lose...but thank you for telling your story, maybe it will prevent another death. I do have horses and a german shepard that does eat alot of poop. Thank goodness I have had no problems. I also had worked at a vet clinic for 11 years and have never heard this before and find it very interesting. I never thought any thing of it but know it does worry me. I have a lot of horse friends and defiantly will spread the word.

Jan 14, 2015

So very sorry for your loss
by: Anonymous

I am heartbroken for her loss. Please know that the veil is gone in Heaven... she knows your pain and feels your love. Thank you for this warning to help us save our dogs too.

Know you will someday see your beloved puppy again.
sending lots of hugs.

Jan 14, 2015

let's get labels changed!!!
by: Robin Bishop

So sorry for your loss. I have thought for a long time, they need to label livestock feed, supplements, etc. with info letting us know if they are dog friendly. My dogs clean up any feed the horses drop and if something is bad for them I need to know. How can we get the industry to do this????

Jan 14, 2015

Ivermectin
by: LInda G

I am so sorry. As a long time collie mom I am well aware of the mutant gene and actually had veterinarians argue with me because I refused any ivermectin product for my dogs. It isn't limited to Ivermectin, other drugs (like chemo drugs) many have the same effect. Our collie was gene tested prior to chemo. No all dogs have the mutant gene. I highly advise every collie type dog owner to have their beloved pet tested. The Collie Health Foundation has wonderful information on this.

Jan 15, 2015

Sweet Annie
by: Mickey Thompson

I just want to say how very very sorry I am to hear about your Sweet Annie!! While mucking my horses stall this morning, my husband said that a good friend put something very interesting on his Facebook wall and that I should read it. I did and was shocked to hear that Ivermectin could do this to dogs!!! We just got two 10 wk old puppies and my mom (who has horses) got another litter mate too. They always go out to the barn with us and yes they get into the "apples" too. Thank you Thank you Thanky ou for writing your letter to get the word out. Sweet Annie's life was way too short, but she is living on through you and the love you are passing to all us horse and dog lovers.

Jan 15, 2015

Aussie's and Ivermectin
by: Ada

Our mini Aussie Moe had a reaction after we wormed our horses with Ivermectin also. We were very fortunate that he did not go into seizures but we couldn't figure out what was wrong...his eyes were so dilated you couldn't see the colour and we thought he was going blind as he started bumping into things...we were terrified. We brought him to the vet and by that time we had thought about the wormer and asked about it at the vet. He would have only consumed any that the horses had drooled out...not much. He was on IV at the vet for three days and so far has come fully around...we were very lucky. I am so sorry for people who do not know...the word should be spread and breeders should definitely inform puppy buyers. Losing a dog tragically is so sad...so sorry for Annie and her mom.

Jan 15, 2015

Sorry for your loss
by: Anonymous

I'm sorry for the loss of your dog . My dog LOVES horse manure! She also drinks out of the irrigation ditch & picks up Giardia now and then. I use Safe - Guard horse wormer paste to treat them & told the vet. He told me it works great for that. I've been using it for about 3 years. I recently wormed my horses with a new apple flavored wormer. I'll have to check and see which one it was. Thank you for the information !

Jan 15, 2015

so sorry
by: Peggy Kolka

i am so so sorry for your loss...we love our dogs so much. Today a cow kicked my Aussie in the head, we came close to losing him, but their resilience is amazing. I did not know about the ivermectin, so thank you for sharing, it had to be very painful for you

Jan 15, 2015

My experience with Ivermectin
by: Anonymous

This is sad, and scary. My 10-year-old border collie, Jan, either got Ivermectin from something that dropped out of a horse's mouth or she ate some poop with it. The day after we wormed horses, she suddenly went blind. I didn't know what it was, and when I called my vet he asked about worming horses. Fortunately for Jan, her blindness went away. It took about a week, and the vet said she must have gotten just a tiny bit. I was lucky, and believe me, when we worm horses now the dogs go nowhere near them for at least a week. So sorry for the loss of your dog, I can't imagine losing Jan.

Jan 15, 2015

Poison
by: Anonymous

Thank you for telling us, I had no idea and take my two Aussies Annie and Diesel to my horse. Now i will be very careful, sorry about your loss.

Jan 16, 2015

prayers for you
by: Anonymous

I'm so sorry for your loss....thank you for the reminder to us all about ivermectin and livestock

Jan 16, 2015

sad
by: Anonymous

Im so sorry. :( My border collie puppy ate a poisonous mushroom but I got him to the vet quickly and he survived. Its so hard to lose our sweet pets. My heart goes out to you.

Jan 16, 2015

Jack Russell's can have this reaction too!
by: Anonymous

This happened also to our mini jack Russell. We were very lucky that there was a 24hour veterinary hospital nearby and after 3 days there on IVs etc she survived but was blind. She did end up making a full recovery but it was miracle. All from licking the fallen cap from a tube of equimax ivermectin. So sorry for your loss. We are very careful to keep her locked up when we worm the horses!

Jan 17, 2015

Thankyou !
by: Amanda Digney

Hi I just wanted to thank you for sharing this information with us about your pup ! I am amazed we are not warned about such things ! I would also like you to know that we feel very sad that you lost your pup in this way and thankful that you are helping others to learn from it !

Jan 17, 2015

Hazards story
by: Sammy

I lost my mini aussie them same excite way. I knew it wasn't good for them but had no idea that it was deadly. He ate some manure two days after I wormed my mare. He lost his hearing, sight, and balance first. Then he had violent seizure and slipped into acoma. We kept him at the overnight vets with high hopes but had to make the tough decision to have him to put down the next day. He was with me from day one, went everywhere and did everything I did. He even enjoyed riding the horses! I miss him and it tears me apart to see this happen to more people.

Jan 17, 2015

MDR1 gen defect
by: Anna Maria Reul

I am very sorry you lost your beloved one ! It is very sad, that the pharmacy never warns about the danger, and on the other side, it is possible NOT to produce any longer MDR1 affected puppies, as we have the tools now in our hands to test our breeding stock and plan matings NOT producing MDR1-/- puppies,we did our homework and worked very hard on our breed , the Rough Collie ( astromelias-collies ) , we have the breed in our heart it can be done, our lovely collies deserve our pasion. And we as breeders are responsible of what we are doing / or not ....

Jan 17, 2015

I'll change my behavior!
by: Anonymous

So sorry for your loss of Annie. I have dogs and horses, and of course the dogs love the "apples". Thank you for the warning. I will take heed. (You are making a difference by sharing your story.) May you find peace about your loss.

Jan 17, 2015

Shared to help
by: Jan

This wouldn't happen to me but I will share this so anyone reading this post will be spared the heartbreak you went through. Beautiful little Annie will hopefully save many lives with the loss of hers.

Jan 17, 2015

Losing Elizabeth
by: Anonymous

My heart goes out to you and Annie. I am a dog lover and have a baby Lucy. She is a schnauzer a mini a little over a year old. She is my best friend and baby. Enough about Lucy. Before I had Lucy I had a Boston Terrier her name was Elizabeth. Elizabeth loved to go with my daughter to take the kids to school. That morning I had already put her in the back yard for her to take care of her business. Well she seen/heard the kids leaving in the car and wanted to go with them. She tried to go under a cyclone fence to get out. Her collar caught on the fence and she choked to death trying to get to them. Lesson to be learned I always by harnesses now.....never a collar. Broke my heart she was nearly 2. Praying for you. Thanks for warning.

Jan 18, 2015

Another Warning
by: Anonymous

Some people worm once or twice a year so that's the time to watch your dogs, but others worm with feed through ivermectin that they get every day and the ivermectin is in their stools every day. People with dogs should be warned but we can't keep dogs from encountering our horse's or other horse's poop every day. Be sure and keep your dogs safe by keeping poop picked up religiously and do not let dogs come in contact with it!

Jan 18, 2015

Thank you for sharing...so sorry for your loss...
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much for sharing...we have some 30 head we worm and never thought about it. I am so sorry for your loss. Again... thank you for sharing...

Jan 18, 2015

she is beautiful
by: jim horne

I have been through losses such as yours and it is so difficult..animals bring our love to new levels...each time I have suffered a loss like yours I make a point of saving another animal in my pet's memory so that there is something positive out of something so very sad...it is almost as though your pet lives on in them...it helps me and I always think if it weren't for my pet this animal may not have lived...so sorry for your loss..jim

Jan 19, 2015

Sweet Annie
by: minnie ann piercey

That is so sad...I know your pain and my heart goes out to you, time will help the initial pain but it never goes away.A beautiful little angel!
Lots of us probably know the dangers but thank you for sharing.

Jan 21, 2015

Praying
by: jureda

So very sorry for your loss. Praying for your
heart to heal. Thank you for the post here.
It will save someone elses pup!

Jan 21, 2015

Thank you for sharing
by: paige Cowan

Your story is heartbreaking.

I really appreciate you being so real about your heartbreak.

I just felt compelled to thank you for spreading the word.

Jan 25, 2015

So sorry
by: Lisa reuss

I am so sorry about your Aussie... I never knew this even thou I don't have livestock I will be sharing this for you..hope u can get over your sadness and get another dog.. prayers with u

Jan 25, 2015

Thank you
by: Meg

Oh I am so sorry for your heartache.... but I am grateful for your ability to keep this issue in the forefront of Aussie owners in particular.
My best Friend is my vet and many a heartbreaking story come from her regarding this drug.
Thank you for your kindness through your heartbreak!

Jan 26, 2015

Do something to protect orhers
by: Anonymous

Sue the manufacture for the loss of the dog and your emotional distress. Make them put warnings on the product. RIP Sweet Annie

Jan 26, 2015

YES - HOW DO WE GET LABELS WITH WARNINGS!!
by: Anonymous

Yes - how do we go about getting manufacturers to put warnings on labels???? Farm dogs are into everything... we need to know!

Jan 29, 2015

Thank you
by: Wendy

So sorry for your loss. Aussie's are great dogs.

Mar 13, 2015

Heartfelt Best Wishes to You
by: Susan M

So very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story. By doing this, you will help prevent so many little Annies out there from becoming sick. You can consider it her legacy.

Mar 05, 2016

Herding warning
by: Anonymous

Most herding dogs eat sheep poop. The most common wormer used on sheep is injectable ivermectin. Sheep owners don't usually worm very often but you would be wise to ask if the sheep have been recently wormed before herding.

Sep 07, 2018

My beloved Collie is dying tonight
by: Colliemom4

I just tonight found out about milbemycin, and probably too late. My four year old smooth collie had taken it as had my other three Collies. Lucas had had it 8 times before. I had no clue, I know about ivermectin and many other drugs but not this. In fact I was told trifexis was the best for Collies. He got his dose Monday, Tuesday he went to the vet because of excessive vomiting. Dx was infection - stomach bug. We were to pick him up tonight, he was smiling and happy this morning. He is dying tonight. Trifexis toxicity. We didn’t even get home before he went into shock. We turned around and vets did tests and X-rays but of course nothing showed up. He was sent to the overnight vet ER for intensive care. He is barely alive, unresponsive and in deep deep shock. He has developed severe congestive heart failure.

The vet said this was safe. My breeder is who found this site for me to share with vet. The ER vet said he was extremely critical and probably would not last the night. This should never happen to another herding breed owner. I am devastated. I feel like I murdered him when I was trying to keep him safe and well. I can’t bear it if he dies, I will never forgive myself.

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