u/Disastrous-Golf6482

My 10yr old German shepherd died from an adverse reaction to medication that was supposed to help his eye. I wanted to make this post to ask if there is anything I could’ve done. I blame myself for handing him the poison and not asking more questions.

Joey was diagnosed with a rare condition called Canine Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation after bloodwork(clear) and a full body CT scan(healthy, other than the eye) on April 17th 2026. The first warning sign he couldn’t tolerate steroids was when we put Maxidex on his eye, it made it 10x worse. I’m not sure if this correlates to him using prednisone and atopica orally. The eye issue was ongoing for 2-3 weeks which involved pain, some bulging, redness and discharge. We were given two options: eye removal or medication. Obviously, we got the medication because he still had eyesight and he had an amazing bounce back period. I started to notice small differences in his behaviour and body, like being a bit slower on walks, or a small off and on limp, but the vets kept reassuring me it was side effects from 200mg of Atopica and 50mg of Prednisone. I told them i felt he was acting different 3 days before his death and they said it sounded normal. The ophthalmologist warned me only of ulcers and GI tract issues, I didn’t know bone marrow suppression was a possibility, I didn’t know the signs to watch out for. I was so busy watching out for signs like puking or diarrhea I missed him silently dying in front of me.

So basically Joey died 20 days after starting the medication from bone marrow suppression, possible sepsis from having absolutely no white blood cells left and a damaged liver. ‘Suspected bands’ was on blood work too. I’m so confused and hurt. By the time it became obvious something was very wrong (suddenly losing the ability to walk), it was too late. The nurse at the emergency vet tried to tell me this happens sometimes with ‘old dogs’ but he wasn’t just an old dog. He was strong, agile, athletic, and an absolute powerhouse of a shepherd. It wasn’t old age. He didn’t even LOOK old. He was a unit of a working line GSD. The medication poisoned and robbed him possibly years of life. We spent almost 10 thousand dollars in less than 2 months and he died from the treatment. In the end, I know this was a rare event and he went rather peacefully, but I wish they looked more into it when I told them about the changes in his habits and body. I wish they suggested bloodwork more often or told me the deadly side effects. Joey’s mom had an immune disorder called perianal fistulas which I believe gave him a ‘misfiring immune system’ too - maybe that’s why he couldn’t handle the medication.

Did I fail my dog? Did the vets fail me? He was working with an ophthalmologist in another city so we feel shafted money, our dog, our time and our trust.

If they told me ‘your dog is 10 and can die from bone marrow suppression from the medication’, I probably would’ve opted for the eye removal route, or requested weekly bloodwork if I chose the medication. I didn’t realize how serious the side effects could be until he died. I’m so sad, he was so big and strong and full of life, other than the eye stuff. His CT scan showed his body was in perfect shape and his bloodwork was good. He wasn’t supposed to go yet. Summer was here to play ball and now medication killed him and I fear I will never trust the vets or specialists again.

My 10 year old, otherwise healthy GSD had a full body CT scan and clean bloodwork a few weeks ago.

He started 200mg of atopica and 50mg prednisone. My ‘mom’ instinct told me something was off with the meds the longer he stayed on them, because the original reason he went on them was controlled, but he started to display odd side effects from the meds. His immune system crashed and his liver possibly failed, I suspect from an overload of medication that he simply couldn’t handle. He had nothing in his body protecting him against infections or ‘making cells’. The signs were subtle until it was too late. He died quickly and the emergency vet didn’t get started on him on time to even have a chance at saving him. The vets tell me how ‘it just happens and it was old age’ but I know my dog, I am also educated with dogs and I know he had a reaction. However, I can’t say if it could’ve been caught on time without being ‘obvious’. Those ‘subtle’ signs seemed like side effects until he had a systemic failure.

On one hand, I forgive myself. I forgive myself because I put a lot of money, love and time into him to give him happiness, and he was very strong until the very end. I know that life isn’t always predictable.

On the other hand, I’m so mad at myself. I knew in my gut something seemed off and I kept telling the vets that, but they kept reassuring me the medications were safe. I trusted them because I’m told to do that, despite my intuition saying ‘get him off those medications now’. The bloodwork and death has shown otherwise.

I can’t say he was a weak, frail dog either. They say it’s old age and I disagree. My 10 year old working line GSD was 90lbs of muscle and strength and stamina until he started those medications. He withered away. I want to add too - the medications were used to treat an eye issue, and the eye issue has no impact on his body at all. When the eye issue cleared up and the medication continued, that’s when his body failed him.

I wonder if I moved quicker he could’ve been saved. I wonder if I got him into emergency even a few hours earlier, he could’ve been saved.

Now my dog is dead and my life is worse.

My boy is gone and I don’t know who I am. My soul dog was his mom, who I had from 12-23, and he helped me through her passing. I’ve had him from 16-25. He came with me to my apartment, I had adventures, love. I have had more of a life with my dogs than without. I can’t even believe I’m writing this. He died hours ago.

Joey was diagnosed with a rare condition called canine idiopathic orbital inflammation. He had a full body CT scan and bloodwork April 17th.

He started prednisone and atopica and the eye improved and we thought he was ok.

His check up this past Tuesday, all good.

He died today at the emergency vet. He suddenly lost the ability to walk and his bloodwork showed very low white blood cell count.

I am a shell of myself. I built my entire life around my dogs. I built my life for him.