Pure Dog Talk

Fenbendazole (Panacur) has been a go-to dewormer for veterinarians and breeders for over 40 years — but a rare, life-threatening blood disorder in a 10-month-old French Bulldog is prompting a closer look. Dr. Marty Greer joins host Laura Reeves to share what happened, what it means, and why being an informed consumer of veterinary drugs matters more than ever.

Marty shares her experience with a young French Bulldog who developed severe pancytopenia — dangerously low white blood cells, platelets near zero, and declining red blood cells — after a 10-day course of fenbendazole for Giardia.

In this episode, Marty and Laura cover:

1. Idiosyncratic vs. idiopathic reactions— what the difference means and why it matters when a drug you trust causes an unexpected response
2. The fenbendazole case— a detailed walkthrough of diagnosis, the ruling-out process (parvo, tick-borne disease, vaccines, other drugs), and the treatment that turned it around within 24 hours
3. The FDA Dear Veterinarian letter— as of April 2024, pancytopenia had been reported in 12 dogs on fenbendazole; this case may make 13
4. How to report adverse drug reactions— and why that reporting matters for future label updates
5. MDR-1 gene mutations— which breeds are affected and what drugs to watch
6. Trimethoprim-sulfa (Bactrim/Albon)— breeds at higher risk for platelet drops, including Samoyeds, Dobermans, Goldens and Borzoi
7. Topical flea/tick products— the "heebie-jeebies" skin sensation and what to do if your dog reacts every month
8. Reading package inserts— a practical tip: search for the drug name + "package insert PDF" and use Ctrl+F to find terms like "pregnant," "breeding," or "male"

Key takeaway: Fenbendazole remains a safe, widely used drug — but as with any medication, idiosyncratic reactions can happen. Awareness is the goal, not alarm. If something seems off in a dog on any medication, add it to your list of differentials and call your vet.

Resources mentioned:

1. Search: "Dear Veterinarian letter fenbendazole" to find the FDA communication
2. Veterinary Information Network (VIN): vin.com
3. Pure Dog Talk Patron community: puredogtalk.com/patron
4. Pedigrees to Pups Seminar Weekend — Austin, TX (March 27–29) and Altoona, WI (April 10–12): puredogtalk.com/events

Lehman, a self-described “boutique handler,” takes us behind the scenes of campaigning Cookie, the exquisite Maltese who finished the year as the Number 4 Toy Dog—all on a limited schedule of fewer than 50 shows. Tim shares how balance—between his career as a hairstylist and his life with dogs—has shaped his approach to showing, conditioning and long-term success.

We dive deep into the art and science of maintaining a drop coat at the highest level. Maltese coat care is not about secret products or miracle sprays. According to Tim, it’s about daily vigilance, disciplined wrapping, gentle grooming and knowing when to pull back. “Virgin hair,” as he calls it, is preserved through consistency and restraint. From bathing routines to managing coat breakage in four-day show weekends, Tim explains why what happens at home matters more than what happens ringside.

The conversation also explores preservation breeding in action. Cookie represents six generations of intentional, thoughtful breeding—with multiple national specialty winners behind her. Tim discusses collaborating (and occasionally disagreeing!) with breeder Tammy Simon, the value of speaking your truth in breeding decisions, and the reality that even carefully planned breedings can produce surprises. In Maltese, where structure matures slowly and the coat requires years of commitment, patience may be the greatest virtue of all.

We also talk about mentorship. Tim credits his early years working for the legendary Peggy Hogg for shaping his technical skills and eye for detail. His advice for aspiring drop-coat...

Whelping doesn’t always end with a tidy pile of healthy puppies and a relaxed, glowing mama dog. Host Laura Reeves is joined by our favorite best friend in veterinary medicine, Dr. Marty Greer, to walk through the most common (and most dangerous) postpartum complications breeders face — from retained puppies and metritis to mastitis, eclampsia, and even the terrifying “SIPS” bleeding that shows up weeks later. If you’ve ever had a bitch crash after delivery… or you’re hoping you never will… this is the episode that helps you stay calm, prepared and ready to act fast.

The conversation begins with one of the biggest preventable tragedies: retained puppies. Dr. Greer emphasizes the importance of a properly timed puppy-count x-ray (day 55–60) and shares practical tips for improving accuracy, including using digital x-ray equipment, taking two views, and ensuring the bitch has an empty stomach and colon before imaging. Her bottom line is simple: know your count — and don’t go to bed if you’re missing a puppy.

From there, Marty and Laura tackle early postpartum red flags, including aggression toward puppies, which can be linked to low calcium. They discuss proactive tools like calcium gel during labor (not before), pheromone support collars, and the surprisingly effective trick of saving placental fluids after a C-section to help “switch on” maternal behavior once puppies get home.

Next up: poor milk production, dehydration, and what to do when a bitch simply won’t lactate. Dr. Greer shares her go-to strategies — from metoclopramide and OxyMama to boosting fluid intake with creative options like starter mousse mixed into water. And yes… even bratwurst makes an appearance as a lactation hack that longtime breeders swear by.

The episode also dives into the “big three” postpartum medical complications: metritis, mastitis, and eclampsia. Dr. Greer explains what to watch for, why fever is never something to ignore, and why antibiotics should always be vet-directed — not pulled from leftover bottles in the cabinet.

Finally, Marty demystifies normal postpartum discharge (lochia) versus SIPS (sub-involution of placental sites), a dramatic but usually benign bleeding episode that can happen around eight weeks after delivery.

If you...