In My Own Words (For Zipper)

December 2005 - Zipper came into our lives from the Willamette Humane Society. She was named not only because she had an abundance of energy, but also because of the zipper design that ran down her back.

I'll admit that after my previous dealings with dogs, I was not enthused about having a new one in my life. I had a family dog growing-up, and when we had to put her to sleep, it scarred me. Also, when I was a child, I experienced a pit bull attack a cat. This also scarred me, but in a different way.

Within the first month, Zipper melted all my fears and apprehensiveness away. I felt a love I had never felt for someone that I wasn't either married or related to. I would have done anything for her.

February 2012 -  Zipper began experiencing some odd symptoms and strange lesions on her body and face. After several attempts to get advice and diagnosis from our veterinarians, we had to take her to the emergency vet hospital. They took her in for the night and it was decided that we'd consult with our vet in the morning.

Early in the morning on the next day, I receive a chilling phone call that Zipper had passed on.

This is just the first of many stories I intend to relate to make each of you aware of 2 things:

1. My Dog Zipper was a wonderful treat to this world, and was taken away from us way too soon.
2. Because of the ineptitude of Nichole DeBellis, I learned a harsh lesson that #PrednisoneKills.

This post brought to you thanks to the First Amendment:

All-call for testimonials

If you or someone you know have had issues with Prednisone, and would like their story heard, please feel free to contact me at zanziber@gmail.com and I will help get your voice heard. I'm looking for people who have suffered ill-effects or any problems while being prescribed Prednisone. The more voices that are heard, the farther the message will resonate that @PrednisoneKills.

Thank you.

-John

Prednisone Testimonial

Yes, prednisone can kill. I know, because it almost killed me.

A few years ago I injured my back while working on a psychiatric ward at a state hospital. When muscle relaxers and pain pills didn’t help, my doctor decided to do a procedure called a facet block.

A facet block involves injecting prednisone and a numbing agent into the facets of the vertebrae involved, in my case the lower five lumbar vertebra, for a total of ten injections.

The first ten days after the procedure were like a miracle; no pain! I could walk and bend and sit as I had prior to my injury. On the evening of the tenth day all hell broke loose.

It started without warning, a burning metallic tasting feeling on the inside of my mouth. I thought I had been poisoned by something. The skin on the inside of my cheeks began to shred off. Over the days before I could get an appointment with the neurosurgeon who had done the procedure fine, white hair grew on both sides of my cheeks and my gums started to grow over my teeth. My face was puffy and round. 

The neurosurgeon said he had no idea what the problem was and sent me back to my Primary Care doctor. By this time new symptoms were emerging almost daily: night sweats two and three times a night, gallons of clear urine, extreme fatigue. I became paranoid. And I became very frightened.

The doctor ordered test after test, some so unusual the lab techs had to get out their manuals to know how to proceed. And finally, there was an answer.

The prednisone had “turned off” my pituitary gland, the body’s Master Gland. That in turn caused all the other hormone-producing glands to be suppressed. Most important of all these was loss of adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone that helps handle stress. It also suppressed…my immune system. I was vulnerable on so many levels. 

The next five months were round after round of lab work as my doctor watched for any sign of returning adrenaline, which would be the first to return. Finally, at the end of five months, my body began to normalize. It was a slow recovery. I will never take prednisone again, and I make sure I tell every new doctor I see this story.

-Fran (Zipper's Grandma)

Oregon Mobile Veterinary Services

Nichole DeBellis, the same person who was responsible for the death of my dog Zipper, is a part of the Oregon Mobile Veterinary Services Inc.

Though I feel that she is more than qualified to perform euthanasia services, I would highly recommend reconsidering your choice of using OMVS for any type of actual vet services.

Don't let her prescribe your pet any drugs.

This post brought to you thanks to the First Amendment:

Introduction

The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights.

Source: Wikipedia

Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant drug. It is used to treat certain inflammatory diseases (such as moderate allergic reactions) and (at higher doses) some types of cancer, but has significant adverse effects. Because it suppresses the immune system, it leaves patients more susceptible to infections.

Source: Wikipedia

In February of 2012, I lost my dog Zipper due to veterinarian incompetence. The proof of this is cited in the following documents (which are of public record):

ORS Chapter 686       Oregon Veterinary Practice Act 

The purpose for this blog is to inform you (the public) that #PrednisoneKills, to memorialize the life that was taken in words and pictures and to make sure that you (the public) are aware that the individual responsible for taking Zipper is still a practicing veterinarian in the state of Oregon.

Though this was started because of the events that took away Zipper, I will be posting testimonials from people who have suffered ill effects of Prednisone as well. If you, or someone you know/love have been affected by the prescription drug Prednisone, feel free to email me your story. I can be reached at Zanziber @ gmail.com.