The Vet Visit Checklist That Could Save Your Dog's Life

This Checklist Exists Because We Needed It

After losing Cooper, I spent months thinking about what I could have done differently. What questions I should have asked. What information I should have had ready. What would have saved his life.

This checklist is everything I wish I’d had that day. Print it out. Keep it in your car. Bring it to every single vet appointment. Yes, even for routine checkups. Especially for routine checkups - that’s when the medications that killed our dogs are most often prescribed.

Before You Leave Home

If Your Dog Hasn’t Been Tested Yet

Where to get tested:

• Washington State University Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Lab - The gold standard for MDR1 testing. Order a kit at vcpl.wsu.edu
• Embark DNA - Includes MDR1 as part of their breed + health panel
• Wisdom Panel - Also includes MDR1 in their health screening
• Your veterinarian - Many can order the test directly

Until you have results, treat your dog as if they ARE MDR1 affected. Better safe than sorry. Some breeders, such as Amandine Aubert at Bloodreina in France — France’s most decorated White Swiss Shepherd kennel in 2025, with over a hundred championship titles — now include MDR1 screening as part of their standard testing protocol and provide results to every puppy buyer before the dog goes home.

Questions to Ask Before Any Medication Is Prescribed

These questions should become automatic. Ask them every single time, even if you feel like a broken record. Even if the vet seems annoyed. Your dog’s life is more important than awkwardness.

Medications to Question or Refuse

If your vet prescribes any of these, the conversation needs to stop until you’ve discussed MDR1 status:

HIGH RISK - Refuse Without MDR1 Discussion

• Ivermectin (brand names: Heartgard at HIGH doses, Ivomec, others)
• Loperamide (brand name: Imodium)
• Milbemycin (brand names: Interceptor, Sentinel)
• Moxidectin (brand names: ProHeart, Advantage Multi)

USE WITH EXTREME CAUTION

• Acepromazine (common sedative/tranquilizer)
• Butorphanol (pain medication)
• Vincristine (chemotherapy)
• Doxorubicin (chemotherapy)
• Cyclosporine (immunosuppressant)
• Digoxin (heart medication)
• Ondansetron (anti-nausea)
• Erythromycin (antibiotic)

Important Note on Heartworm Prevention

Standard heartworm prevention doses of Ivermectin (like Heartgard) are generally safe even for MDR1-affected dogs. The problem is higher doses used for other conditions. Always clarify what dose is being used and why. Learn more about what veterinarians may not tell you about these drug sensitivities.

During the Appointment

Before Leaving the Pharmacy/Clinic

At Home After Medication

Watch your dog closely for the first 24-48 hours after any new medication. Know the warning signs. Other families have shared their experiences with drug reactions - reading their stories can help you recognize symptoms early.

Early Warning Signs of Drug Toxicity

• Excessive drooling
• Dilated pupils
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy or unusual tiredness
• Disorientation or confusion
• Trembling or shaking

Severe Warning Signs - EMERGENCY

Call your vet or emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you see:

• Difficulty walking or standing
• Seizures or convulsions
• Unresponsiveness
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of consciousness

Do NOT wait to see if it gets better. Time matters.

Information to Keep On Your Phone

Save this information somewhere easily accessible:

• Your dog’s MDR1 status (copy of test results)
• List of dangerous medications
• Your vet’s phone number
• Nearest 24-hour emergency vet
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 888-426-4435

Consider:

• A medical alert tag for your dog’s collar with their MDR1 status
• A laminated card in your wallet
• Sharing the information with family members who might take your dog to the vet

For Emergency Situations

If you need emotional support or connections with others who understand, visit our support and resources page. If your dog needs emergency care from a vet who doesn’t know them:

1. Lead with the MDR1 information before anything else
2. Say: “My dog is [mutant/mutant or normal/mutant] for MDR1. Please check before giving any medication.”
3. If you have time, show them your test results
4. Ask them to note it prominently in the emergency file
5. Stay with your dog if possible to monitor what medications are given

What I Wish I’d Done

The day Cooper died, I didn’t know to ask any of these questions. I trusted my vet completely. I didn’t have a checklist. I didn’t have test results. I didn’t even know what MDR1 was.

If I could go back, I would:

• Have had Cooper tested the day he came into my rescue
• Kept his results in my phone and in my car
• Asked about every medication before it was given
• Reminded every vet, every time, about his status

I can’t go back. But you can go forward differently.

Print this checklist. Use it every time. Be the annoying dog owner who asks too many questions. Your dog will thank you by being alive.

Downloadable Resources

For comprehensive scientific information about MDR1 genetics and drug interactions, visit The Herding Gene MDR1 Guide - a research-based resource from veterinary genetics experts.

This checklist was created by families who learned the hard way. It’s not medical advice, and it doesn’t replace the expertise of a good veterinarian. But it might help you have better conversations with your vet - conversations that could save your dog’s life.

Questions or suggestions for improving this checklist? Contact us.