In regards to heartworm meds..

[Kathy29]

My dogs are on Interceptor right now for heartworm preventative and it says on the box to give one tablet monthly. However, I've heard of people giving it only once every 3 months or so? How about every other month, is that safe?

They haven't been on it for very long (only 2 months). I know it's important to prevent it but apparently some say the life cycle of heartworms lasts for a couple of months, thus the reason for once every three months. I don't want to "overdose" them if it's not necessary.

So, do you give heartworm meds to your doggies once every month?

 

[Mordy]

To prevent your dog from getting infected, you must give it monthly, or at the outside every 45 days, since heartworm meds do not prevent infection but kill off any microfilariae that might be circulating in the bloodstream since the last dose was given.

You can, however, give a lower dosage of Interceptor, which is also referred to as the "Safeheart dosage.

More info here:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/1365.htm

 

[elegy]

what mordy said.

i give it once a month because otherwise i'd forget, and it's too important to me for my dogs to be protected for me to feel comfortable messing around with it.

 

[Bobsk8]

A vet friend of mine is amazed that people try to save a few dollars and don't give the Heartworm pills on a regular monthy basis. He said that your dog getting heartworms will make you regret that decision for the rest of your life....

 

[Mordy]

Bobsk8, it's not because people are "trying to save a few dollars", but to minimize the impcat of potentially harmful chemicals on the body of their dogs. These heartworm meds aren't entirely harmless!

Why would you be using larger doses and more frequently than needed if the administration of smaller doses less frequently does the job just as well? Especially since heartworm meds don't "prevent" infection but instead are positioned to kill off microfilariae that may or may not be present.

Personally I don't use heartworm meds at all, since where I live the risk of infection is so small that it doesn't warrant dosing my dog with a pesticide on a regular basis.

If my dog actually needed protection from HW infection, the price and convenience of it certainly wouldn't be as important to me as minimizing harmful side effects.

 

[GlassOnion]

Very rarely does a dog actually get sick from the HW prevention. I've never actually seen it happen, to be honest.

I'd ask your vet, myself. I know the heartworm cycle is 6 months from egg to adult BUT this is only if your dog has no worms, at all. The prevention kills the eggs, not the hatched form. So once it becomes an instar it's beyond the preventions control.

Which is why you give it monthly.

 

[cindr]

Since we have the three dogs here and the pups the heart worm has become very expensive. Although I personally feel that it is so much better than having to worry about all and any types of worms and or taking the chance of the dog receiving heart worms.

I know if you are concerned about the cost of the meds go to your local feed store and buy a bottle of Ivermection,for sheep. This is the same stuff the vets use on our dogs. You get a jug and keep it in a dry cool place that jug will last you a yr or more. Saves a lot of headaches

 

[GlassOnion]

If you do that, be SURE to get the right dosage. The dosage between a sheep and a dog are NOT the same. The chemical is, the dosage...no.

 

[cindr]

If you do that, be SURE to get the right dosage. The dosage between a sheep and a dog are NOT the same. The chemical is, the dosage...no.

Hey that is the area I missed. Sorry! Thanx for the correction Cindr

 

[chickenlittle]

Since we have the three dogs here and the pups the heart worm has become very expensive. Although I personally feel that it is so much better than having to worry about all and any types of worms and or taking the chance of the dog receiving heart worms.

I know if you are concerned about the cost of the meds go to your local feed store and buy a bottle of Ivermection,for sheep. This is the same stuff the vets use on our dogs. You get a jug and keep it in a dry cool place that jug will last you a yr or more. Saves a lot of headaches

This is what we use too.

1/10cc per 10 pounds.

Vet told us to never go over 1/2 a cc even if the dog was bigger.

 

[Bobsk8]

Bobsk8, it's not because people are "trying to save a few dollars", but to minimize the impcat of potentially harmful chemicals on the body of their dogs. These heartworm meds aren't entirely harmless!

Why would you be using larger doses and more frequently than needed if the administration of smaller doses less frequently does the job just as well? Especially since heartworm meds don't "prevent" infection but instead are positioned to kill off microfilariae that may or may not be present.

Personally I don't use heartworm meds at all, since where I live the risk of infection is so small that it doesn't warrant dosing my dog with a pesticide on a regular basis.

If my dog actually needed protection from HW infection, the price and convenience of it certainly wouldn't be as important to me as minimizing harmful side effects.

You are going to regret this gamble if your animal comes down with heartworms. Unfortunately your decision if it is wrong, impacts your dogs health and well being and the dog doesn't even get to vote on it. I feel the same way about parents that don't get vaccines for their children and the child comes down with a very serious illness that could have easily been prevented. If I was that parent, I would never forgive myself.....

 

[cindr]

You are going to regret this gamble if your animal comes down with heartworms. Unfortunately your decision if it is wrong, impacts your dogs health and well being and the dog doesn't even get to vote on it. I feel the same way about parents that don't get vaccines for their children and the child comes down with a very serious illness that could have easily been prevented. If I was that parent, I would never forgive myself.....

Excellent point. If you paid for the meds why not use them for the betterment of the dogs health. Now we make sure all of our dogs are on it to secure their health. Not to take chances on their life.

I have seen so many dogs suffer with the dease it is pitty full. The vet uses and for the life of me I can not think of the name. But it is the exact same stuff they use to euthanize the dog with. If the dog happens to pull through the treatments you have other issues to consider. Such as an enlarged heart thus being called congestive heart failure and could die just walking around or at that just sleeping. All of that because you want to miss a pill or two.

It is about being responsible. Gee if I had all the money that I put out in my dogs I would be very rich. But to me it is not about being rich when you love something or someone unconditional. It is amazing what that dog would do for you so why not give him some in return

 

[bubbatd]

This is one area I don't cut corners..... proper dosage is very important as to weights. Having treated 3 foster dogs with heart worm it's a scary and expensive procedure .

 

[cindr]

This is one area I don't cut corners..... proper dosage is very important as to weights. Having treated 3 foster dogs with heart worm it's a scary and expensive procedure .

TRUE TRUE TRUE

 

[Bobsk8]

This is one area I don't cut corners..... proper dosage is very important as to weights. Having treated 3 foster dogs with heart worm it's a scary and expensive procedure .

When I was looking for a dog to adopt, I ran across THREE different dogs in a 3 week period that had been treated for Heartworm disease. I was told that they could never get Heartworms again as it would be definitely fatal the 2nd time. Probably people that didn't want to spend the money on the Heartworm preventive and when the dog got sick, they just brought it to the pound. That's like having kids but you don't want to spend the money on vaccinations and healthcare for them because it cost too much.

As to the excuse that " In my state, it isn't a problem" I cut this out of an article on Heartworms

"Heartworm and Traveling with Your Dog Top

Dog owners, be aware of the following:
Alex, a Labrador retriever, lives in a heartworm-endemic state. He has heartworms, but his owners don't know it because the disease is not easily detected until its later stages. Alex travels with his owners on vacation to states where there are fewer incidences of heartworm disease like Alaska. While in Alaska, Alex is bitten by a mosquito, which picks up the heartworm larvae from his bloodstream. Later, the same mosquito bites a healthy local dog, infecting him with heartworm. The cycle continues.

A problem can also result if a dog from a low-incidence state like Alaska travels into a state where heartworm disease thrives, is bitten by a mosquito and then brings the disease back home.

What Does This Mean For All Dog Owners?
Now that greater numbers of people are traveling across the country with their dogs, on vacation or visiting friends and relatives, no state is entirely heartworm-free. Heartworm disease continues to pose a threat to dogs across the United States. Because heartworm disease is potentially fatal, owners should visit their family veterinarian to learn how easy and convenient prevention can be.

When Traveling, Help Protect Your Dog from Heartworm Disease

1. Many states require that owners traveling with their dogs obtain an up-to-date health certificate from a licensed veterinarian.
2. As a part of the examination, your veterinarian may check for heartworm disease. If your dog is not infected, the veterinarian can recommend preventive measures. Prevention is the key to protecting a dog both at home and away.
3. Upon returning home from a trip, owners should revisit their family veterinarian for an examination to make sure their dog did not pick up any parasites, either internal (e.g., heartworm, hookworm, roundworm) or external (fleas and ticks).
4. Remember, annual heartworm tests are important whether or not your dog is traveling.

 

[cindr]

When I was looking for a dog to adopt, I ran across THREE different dogs in a 3 week period that had been treated for Heartworm disease. I was told that they could never get Heartworms again as it would be definitely fatal the 2nd time. Probably people that didn't want to spend the money on the Heartworm preventive and when the dog got sick, they just brought it to the pound. That's like having kids but you don't want to spend the money on vaccinations and healthcare for them because it cost too much.

Point well given; I will never forget the day I picked up a freind and her kids. The little boy about 3 yrs old sitting in between us. Me and mom. Well mom would go into get her dog tags as I sat in the car with the kids. I would look over at little Frankie. His hair cut in a military. Well I just about lost my cookies all over the place. The poor kid had hundreds of fleas running all over his head. The kid must have been so used to it he did not even venture a scratch.

The thing with pet ownership and child rearing it is a large major responsibility. If you do not have the time and or energy to be responsible then do everyone a favor. Don't have either of them.

 

[doberkim]

There are many areas in which it is not necessary to give heartworm preventative, at least not year round. I tell my clients when asked that honestly in this area, it does not need to be given year round, however, it is typically easier (especially when seasons are difficult to predict as to when the thaws and frosts will be).

And vaccines, thats a whole different thread. Not vaccinating for every disease every year does NOT make you an irresponsible owner right off the bat.

Guess I must be one irresponsible veterinarian...

 

[Bobsk8]

There are many areas in which it is not necessary to give heartworm preventative, at least not year round. I tell my clients when asked that honestly in this area, it does not need to be given year round, however, it is typically easier (especially when seasons are difficult to predict as to when the thaws and frosts will be).

And vaccines, thats a whole different thread. Not vaccinating for every disease every year does NOT make you an irresponsible owner right off the bat.

Guess I must be one irresponsible veterinarian...

I for one wouldn't follow your advice, but that's just me.

 

[cindr]

I for one wouldn't follow your advice, but that's just me.

Exactly; There are too many that take chances with their dogs. I personally beleive in giving them the heart worm on a yrl basis. Sure is is expensive but mind you I would rather prevent the issue than have to live the issue

 

[Cybill]

Personally, I opt for the monthly route annually. It's not just heartworm I would be concerned with....it's other parasites as well. While I agree that there are potentially harmful chemicals in these meds (particularly Invermectin, which the last I knew, can be breed sensitive), I just wouldn't want to risk the alternative.