A few weeks ago, Tina Anderson experienced a dog mom’s worst nightmare with her 5-year old Mini Australian Shepherd, Archer.
Tina explained on a GoFundMe page when their troubles began: “his veterinarian wrote a prescription for him to try a very low dose of fluoxetine to try to help his anxiety.”
But what should have been a simple trip to the pharmacy turned into a life-threatening situation.
Within days, Archer suffered severe symptoms including “involuntary muscle spasms, twitching, loss of motor function, and extreme confusion.”
Tina took him to an emergency clinic where veterinarians discovered the source of the toxicity; the pharmacy correctly labeled his prescription on the bottle but had filled it with the wrong pills.
Pet poison control created a treatment plan in the hopes of stabilizing Archer. “His care is now split between two emergency clinics with specialty care,” Tina explained. “One in Ohio and one in Michigan.”
Rite Aid refuses to acknowledge their responsibility or pay Archer’s medical bills outright, despite the extreme circumstances.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Archer
Tina continues to pursue the matter but has received mixed messages from Rite Aid’s legal department, though they may be investigating the situation.
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Having already paid more than $4000 for Archer’s emergency care, Tina is concerned that without financial support, her sweet dog will not be able to continue receiving treatments to stabilize him.
Tina recently posted an update to the GoFundMe saying she is “cautiously optimistic” but still unsure if Rite Aid will step up and pay Archer’s medical bills. On one of their calls, their legal department even referred to Archer as “personal property.”
Rite Aid’s Risk Management Specialist also told Tina that the company would only be responsible for “the purchase price of the animal or the cost of medical bills, whichever is less.” But anyone with pets knows that they aren’t property—they’re family.
Tina wants Rite Aid needs to assume responsibility for its mistake and protect humans and their pets from future life-threatening errors.
Even if you’re not able to donate to Archer’s GoFundMe, which you can check out here, Tina asks for your help sharing this story.