Trental (oxpentiphylline)

[Mum to Emma]

Does anyone have a dog currently being prescribed Trental? I have a 6 year old whippet who was on the medication for 4 years because of thrombosis of the ear tips. She suffers from ulcers that have progressively eroded away the tips of her ears.

12 months ago I took her off the medication because of a prolonged bout of diarrhea (Trental is a known intestinal irritant). Also, I was becoming wary of the continued use of the drug because of some statements made by the vet dermatologist. For example, he suggested trying an alternative (known cancer causing) ointment on her ear tips to reduce inflammation, and he had mentioned another dog that was taken off the medication because the dog had liver problems and he thought that it was "on so many pills, we took it off the trental".

She's been off Trental for 12 months now, but has just had a relapse (although she also relapsed while ON the medication - another reason for me deciding to discontinue its use).

I trust the vet specialist but had a feeling that my whippet was becoming a "guinea pig" (if you know what I mean!).

Am I worring unnecessarily - does anyone have a dog that has been on Trental for many years? Does anyone know of long term side effects? I don't want her to suffer liver or kidney damage in old age.

Thanks

[cashew]

My local vet prescribes Benebac Gel (pre and probiotics gel) alongside antibiotics. On top of it, he is also supportive of me giving good amounts of greens (barley grass, wheatgrass and spirulina powders). The probiotics helps to improve intestinal flora whilst super greenfoods help with detoxification (liver protection). My dog was put on a month-long dose of strong antibiotics due to tick fever.