Is your Dog on Heart worm prevention?

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I have been thinking whether we should start heart worm prevention for our two Schnauzers. I have heard pro and con about this program. How many of you have your Dog on this?
Also what flea prevention do you use? We use Advantage and it seems to work well,
our Vet recommended this product.
Jackie

[Pam]

Jackies Daisy....I have always had my dogs in the past on heartworm medicine. I used Filaribits (one a day.....chewable). I know now you can also give a longer lasting one, but I just dropped it into their food bowls each morning and they seemed to like it so it was a routine with me to do the daily thing.

We had Bella at the vet's last night and he gave her a clean bill of health. While there, I asked him about heartworm preventative. She is too young to start yet but I will put her on it. What did you hear that was negative? I am interested in knowing because now that I am a "new mommy" I want to be careful.

About fleas.....fortunately I haven't had to deal with that, cause the cats are inside cats. I know that Bella will probably bring them in and then I will have a problem. I am open to suggestions from everyone on that too! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

[RachelJ]

We have been using heart worm preventative for our dogs for a long time now. We use a once a month tablet called Interceptor which in addition to preventing heartworm disease, it is supposed to control aldult hookworm infection and remove and control adult roundworms and whipworms. We have to have the dogs tested each spring and then start on the tablets in April. The usage is determined by mosquito season in our section of the country. I think in other parts of the country, the tablets are given year round. If you have mosquitos in your area, I would say it is a good idea to use this.
I could have gotten the tablets cheaper from the Drs. Foster and Smith catalog but you have to have your vet fax them a prescription.

[Karen]

Our dogs have always gotten their heartworm prevention stuff - now Dad uses the yummy chewable kind, which is SO much easier than trying to disguise pills. We never had any negative effects, and the peace of mind is worth the trouble.

[shais_mom]

I give Shai her's every month. She gets Heartguard. I use Advantage in the summer months, I wanted to try BioSpot, but haven't yet. I don't like the way the Advantage oil runs all over her coat. I usually put it on her before she goes in her crate, so she doesn't get it everywhere.
I have to be careful with the flea med I give her b/c greyhounds are sensitive to certain things, due to their lack of body fat. Tho I am sure Shai has more than the average greyhound http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/tongue.gif

[This message has been edited by shais_mom (edited March 03, 2001).]

Jackie ~ Talk to your Vet, but I'd think he would be strongly suggesting that you test for and then start using a heartworm preventative. Here in Ohio our Vets have been prescribing the preventatives for more than 20 years, yet they still have to treat cases of heartworm. This indicates that although there is a need to give the medications, not all pet owners heed the advice http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/frown.gif. I used to follow the old suggestion to only give the meds for 8 or 9 months, thinking the skeetos "went away" when it got cold. Changed my mind a few winters ago when I kept having to swat the odd mosquito inside the house and garage in the middle of winter. And last week I found two of the varments living right here at the computer http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/eek.gif. So now both Cinder and new dog Smokey are on preventative 12 months of the year. Most vets suggest one of the monthly meds because there is a much wider window of safety to protect the dog if a dose is accidently forgotten or delayed by a few days. With the daily medication, protection is lost if a pill is forgotten.

Fleas? We don't talk about them guys! I've used flea collars for years and tell myself (and the dogs) that "we don't have a problem". Dr Mike says we're either real lucky or don't know a flea bite from a mosquito bite http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif. In other words he doesn't think collars work all that well and suggests one of the topical flea and tick medications. We'll probably start the spring off with a collar for the Kids and see if anyone starts scratching http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/tongue.gif. ... /s/ the Kids' Dad

------------------
/s/ Cinder & Smokey
the Rescued & Adopted
FurKids of *Phred*

[KYS]

jackiesdaisy1935,
I would trust your vet and ask
him or her, if your area in Calif. has a Heartworm problem. Also depends if you travel outside of your area with your pets.
Heartworm can be life threatening.
I do not like to medicate my pets unless necessary. I do not live in
a Heartworm area, but I travel with my dogs and put them on a Heart Guard Plus 4-5 months out of the year. They are also tested yearly for Heartworm.
There is a fairly new product called Revolution you can get through
vets. It not only treats Heartworm, but fleas and ticks as well etc.
I am waiting a couple more years
for more data to come out on this
product.

Fleas: My vet likes Advantage and Frontline.
I use Frontline for my dogs.
The bio-spot broke off parts of my
female Akita's fur.

[Logan]

I have heard more rumblings lately than ever before about the problems associated with heart worm preventatives. I believe that most of the controversy is stemming from the more holistic approach some folks are taking with veterinary medicine.
My dogs are on Heartguard, once per month. They get the other required shots annually, including the rabies vaccine. I just feel like if I am going to trust my veterinarian, which I do, I must do what he instructs me to. And he says, monthly heartworm medication, year round. I'm sure it does depend on the mosquito population in your area. The South typically has a higher probability of a heartworm problem than maybe other cooler, dryer areas of the country.

I would suggest talking with the veterinarian you trust and following his/her advice closely.

Forgot to answer your question about flea prevention. I use Advantage during the warm months only. I have tried Frontline, but did not find it to be as effective on the fleas. And we don't have a tick problem. I also use Advantage on my cats in the summer. It can be quite expensive for four animals, especially two big dogs. You will find in reading that the holistic believers also discourage the use of this product. I'm sure there are alternatives for heartworm prevention and flea/tick prevention, but I have not taken the time to fully research it.

Sometimes, I think I take better care of my pets than I do myself! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/eek.gif

[This message has been edited by Logan (edited March 03, 2001).]

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Thank you all for the great advice, it really helps a lot. I believe we will take our dogs in and get them heartworm tested and then start on a monthly tablet called
"Interceptor". We did get these tablets and only used them when we came back from the mountains. However living so close to the Mexican border and their dogs are not that closely checked, plus with all the rain we have had there will most likely be areas of stagnet water, I don't want to take any chances with Daisy and Perry. We do use Advantage in the summer for flea control and to tell you the truth we had never had a flea problem before we took them to get groomed and they came back loaded with fleas. So now my husband self taught himself how to do a Schnauzer cut and he does them
himself. Like Shais_Mom I don't like the oiliness of Advantage, but that is what we use.
Thanks again
Jackie

[Angels3]

I've recently read a brochure about a new 'once-a-year' heartworm prevention treatment. I'll go look it up again & let you know what it is. I had intended to ask my vet about it & its suitability for our dogs.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Angels3, I would really be interested in that new medication. Thanks for looking it up.
Jackie

[Pam]

This turned out to be a timely topic. I just took Bella for her first visit to the vet Friday night. There were about 4 other dogs in the waiting room and now she seems to be scratching as if she has a flea or http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/frown.gif fleas. UGH. I know she is too young for any flea medicine now. Anyone know what you do for an 8 week old pup who is scratching. I can't see any fleas but something is making her itch and it just started today.

[Daisy's Mom]

Daisy is on Heartguard Plus heartworm medicine once a month, and also monthly Advantage for flea and tick prevention. We have never had any problems with either. Daisy loves the chewable Heartguards, and the Advantage stuff doesn't bother her; you just pour some on down her back. It does look oily but that goes away.

[Genia]

Jeffrey and Bandit are on Frontline and Heartguard. They love chewable Heartguard, it's like a treat to them. I live in mosquito heaven, about 300 yards from the bay. Fleas are also a BIG problem , my neighbors house was infested last year. I have yet to have a problem.

Daisy'sMom, new neighbor! The most adorable Basset Hound just moved in a couple of streets over. I have to take Jeffrey over to meet her!

[Angels3]

Originally posted by jackiesdaisy1935:
Angels3, I would really be interested in that new medication. Thanks for looking it up.
Jackie
Jackiesdaisy, it was advertised in a dog magazine here & described but the name of the product was not given. Prescription drugs (vet & human) are not allowed to be advertised by name in non-professional publications here in Australia. So the advertisement tells all about the product & then says 'Ask your vet for details' The company name 'Fort Dodge' is given but the name of the product is not. Here's the description given in the ad:
Once-a-year heartworm preventative
. Single injected dose gives 12 months protection
. Administered by your vet
. Suitable for use from 6 months of age
. No more monthly or daily doses
. Conveniently given with annual vaccination
I'll phone our vet & ask for the name of the product & then post for you what I find out


[This message has been edited by Angels3 (edited March 04, 2001).]

[Daisy's Mom]

Genia tell Jeffrey to give the new Basset a warm welcome and lots of kisses! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

[Angels3]

I phoned the vet & got the name of the once-a-year heartworm treatment. It's called Prohart Injectible (or Proheart...not sure about spelling).

[KYS]

Pam,

If your pup keeps scratching check to see
if you can see anything on her skin such
as little bumps, or even dandruf etc.
If she continues to scratch you might
want your vet to do a skin scrapping.
I remember when we brought
our Norwich pup home
she was scratching. I noticed
I was scratching too. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/frown.gif
I took the pup to the vet and he did
a skin scraping. She
had some type of mite(mange)that is common
with pups.

Could be anything such as allergy, dermatitis just a number
of things. Hopefully your pup is
no longer scratching by the time I
post this. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

[jackiesdaisy1935]

We have made an appointment to have both our Schnauzers tested for heartworm a week from Wednesday.
Have decided to stick with the Intercepter and Advantage. By the way we are retired military, if anyone out there is military or retired military, there are Army Vets who will take in animals at their clinics at various Navy, Army etc bases. We have two here in San Diego.

[This message has been edited by jackiesdaisy1935 (edited March 05, 2001).]

[tatsxxx11]

All of my dogs have ALWAYS been on a heartworm preventative. I have personally known the horror of dogs infected with heartworm. Many of the dogs at our rescue center come to us with heartworm. It is very costly to treat this condition and too many dogs are euthanized because of this condition. If they are not immediately euthanized and survive the condition, they are often deemed unadoptable. Just not enough money in the system to treat them. And few people wish to adopt a dog that comes with a very costly vet bill. While treatable if caught early enough, the treatment is very expensive, extensive and uncomfortable and the accompanying symptoms very debilitating. The damage this condition does is indescribable and potentially fatal. A beautiful golden puppy named Honey, who was rescued from a puppy mill and brought to our kennel to be held until ASPCA could find room for her in the system, was a victim of heartworm. She was thin and constantly sick with vomiting and diarrhea. As a puppy, she was failing to thrive. Finally she was tested positive for heartworm and sent to Angel Memorial in Boston for intensive treatment, where her prognosis was deemed grave. She had extensive organ damage. I would strongly support your decision to have them treated. We used to use Interceptor, but now use Heartguard. It is given 12 months a year, instead of only 6 months as with Interceptor. No stopping and re-starting in the spring. Just once a month, every month, as a treat which they love. With the Heartguard, as opposed to the Interceptor, it is not necessary to have blood work done every year. We have a few acres of woods on our property as well as nearby sand dunes filled with dune grass that the dogs love to run and play in. If they were not treated with Frontline, they would become infested with fleas and more importantly, ticks. The Frontline treats both, though my vet says that it is most effective against ticks. Last year the flea season was so bad and long that my vet suggested I skip one month of Frontline, and substitute with Advantage for one month only which is much more and effective against fleas. Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by tatsxxx11 (edited March 09, 2001).]

[AdoreMyDogs]

There are 2 dogs that are regulars to the dog park where I take my furkids who have had heartworm and the recovery is grusome! I prefer to try to stay as natural as I can for both me and my dogs but heartworm is not something I am willing to take chances with. I give Graham Interceptor, and will start Cassie on it this spring as well.

I give them all sorts of stuff to boost their ammune system, and in the summer months I put, among other supplements, brewers yeast in their food and it works WONDERS on flea control. It does truly make dogs' blood "taste bad" and they never get so much as a flea bite. One day last fall I noticed 2 fleas on Graham after we returned from a long day in the dog park. In the 6 or so years I have had Graham, he has never had fleas, so I decided to "test" and see if the brewers yeast actually does work. That was the last of those fleas. They never multiplied. I checked him many times a day and they must have jumped off in search for a more "tasty host". I use brewers yeast when I can, but I do put "FrontLine" on him before we go on our yearly camping trip simply because I am absolutely disgusted by ticks and that stuff is supposed to prevent fleas AND ticks.

[This message has been edited by AdoreMyDogs (edited March 11, 2001).]

[carrie]

KYS, the mite your pup and you had was the sarcoptic mange mite. The same mite, when transmitted to humans causes a condition known as scabies. As you know, it is a terribly irritating condition to have and needs treatment!

If any pup is scratching excessively then you should really get to the vet for a diagnosis - there are dozens of reasons why the pup MAY be scratching, and almost all of them will require treatment from the vet. Don't worry, though, it is very likely to be a simple and easy treatment!

[NancyP]

I saw an episode of Emergency Vets where a dog died of heartworm. It was so sad and it really freaked me out because I was behind a few months in giving HeartGuard to my dog. I will never forget again.

[KYS]

Carrie,

I think it was walking dandruff, but I am not positive. It was approx. 4 years ago, and I no longer remember what the vet called it, my husband might remember.
I remember the Vet said it was pretty common with very young pups. After 3 days, of having our pup home, not only was she scratching, but My hubby and I started to itch.
We took her to the vet and he did a skin
scrapping. Luckly we did not have to treat are other dogs because they
were on Adams flea and tick mist that contains stuff that kills mites.
After her treatment that was the end of it.
(knock on wood)

We did have friends who use to own a dog that had mange that was not curable. Life time medicine/treatments. Their dog died about 5 years ago.


[This message has been edited by KYS (edited March 12, 2001).]

[buckwi1d]

Tide is on Interceptor and Advantage (only in the summer). As I worked at a vet clinic before and saw Heartworm cases, I feel that it is important to protect my own doggie. I do have to be careful though because Tide has Addisons Disease and I prefer to put a limited amount of unnatural products on or in him!

[dale_clouse]

We have Dale on Sentnel and Advantage. Sentnel has flea, tick, heart worm, ring worm, and hook worm preventative in it. It is a once-a-month tablet given at meal time and he doesn't even know that he has eaten it. It is a little bit more expensive ($60.00/6 mo) but it works and it is worth having that extra protection for the fleas.

Hope this helped,



------------------
Amanda, Damien and Dale
http://community.webshots.com/user/acmcneely

[shais_mom]

I recently bought BioSpot- but haven't remembered to put it on her before she goes into her crate. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/redface.gif
I just got this pamlhet in the mail today about Revolution, and I was wondering if anyone uses it?
I protects your dog from fleas, heartworm, ear mites, sacoptic mites,amd dog tick infestations.
And it protects your cat against fleas, heartworm,ear mites, and hook and roundworms.
Its quick drying, waterfast and most important NON GREASY!!!
You have to get it from your vet tho.
If anyone is using this, I would like to hear your responses or thoughts. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif

[*LabLoverKEB*]

My dog, Sadie, takes Heartgard chewable pillon the first Friday of every month. She has been using since she was a pup. We have had only one case of fleas with her. Sadie had fleas between the age of 1 year. I suggest you get Heartgard for your two cool Schnauzers!! (Oh, yeah Sadie uses advantage for fleas!!)

[Rottie]

We've used Heartgard for as long as we've had Carl. But with 3 dogs that started to get really expensive. Both our dog class instructor and my best friend just use this stuff called Ivermectin (sp?). It's cow worming medicine, but it's the same stuff that's in the Heartgard pills. Neither of them have ever had any problem with Heartworm - and they have lots of dogs. So, we started using this last week. You give this stuff to them monthly. My dog instructor said this is what they used before they had heartworm pills.

Going to training classes 4 nights a week we thought it would be well worth it to put them on Flea Prevention pills. We use Program, because this is what our vet recommended.

[This message has been edited by Rottie (edited May 12, 2001).]

[petspoil]

My 3 dogs are on Sentinel. One of them doesn't seem to take to Sentinel so I will give her Heartgard instead because they used to take Heartgard when they were in Hong Kong.

[Jasper's Mom]

Both of my dogs are on Heartguard and Frontline year round. All I had to do was see the dog heart filled with worms that was floating in a big bottle at the vets. Can't get that picture out of my mind.

Years ago when I had an Irish Setter and a toy poddle in Oregon, the fleas were the worst. No preventatives like now. Our Irish Setter had to be driven to the local feed store for their free dipping sessions. Other times we dipped him (poured over him while standing in our gravel driveway) and I felt so sorry for him, the stink and his shivering. I worried it would kill him. In the winter the fleas were still alive in the house, no matter what we did to get rid of them. My little toy poddle lived to be a ripe old age, but suffered from anemia, low iron, because of the flea blood loss. Bathing her frequently in flea shampoo did nothing to get rid of them. As soon as she was dry she had them on her again.

Our animals no longer have to bear the horrible infestations of the past. They are relieved, and our homes are flea and tick free also. I celebrate it.

[Pam]

Bella (4 mos. old) has now had her second dose of Heart Guard. The vet gave her the first dose in his office a month ago to make sure she would like it before giving me the rest to take home.

I also have some Advantage on hand for flea season. For a while I thought she might have fleas because she was scratching after one of her trips to the vet and I thought she may have picked them up there, but I have never seen any (her fur is very light) and she stopped scratching a couple of days later. Probably it was just a coincidence. I have enough to take me through the summer for her and my cats if the need arises.

[mruffruff]

I have all 4 on Heartgard all year round. I've seen what heartworms can do to a dog. Two had heartworms when I got them and they were treated.

In South Carolina, mosquitos are a year round fact of life. And it only takes one bite to pass the heartworms to a dog.

[RottieLover]

I have Max (my rottie) on Heart Gard Plus.

I like it. It Works.

It's late so thats all ya'll are gettin out of me now!
LOL

[Pam]

Bella just had her Heart Guard for this month about 10 minutes ago! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif