Heartworm Pills

[lizbud]

Long ago, First Shepherd Casey, then Arrow, *LIVED* for their daily Heart Worm "Treet" with dinner!
You couldn't possibly forget it - they wouldn't even start eating their Krunchies
untill they SAW you take two Heart Worm Tabs out of the jar and show it to 'em!
After they inhaled dinner, they would *PESTER* like a hungry mosquito till the Tab was delivered!
You couldn't POSSIBLY "forget"!

My old Vet always stressed daily heartworm pills for puppies. I think most
Vets now prefer the monthly chews instead. Could be an old fashioned idea.

[Catlady711]

Vets now prefer the monthly chews instead. Could be an old fashioned idea.

I think it has to do more with owner compliance than 'old fashioned idea'. Since the monthly heartworm preventatives came out the incidence of heartworm infections have decreased dramatically (at least in our area). It's not that the monthly ones are more effective or the daily ones ineffective, but neither are effective if the owners don't give it.

[almeijer]

I have been told by other breeders that is is important that while breeding your dogs, they need to be using the daily heartworm pills rather than the monthly. The monthly doses work by killing EVERYTHING including both sperm and eggs. Resulting in smaller litters and higher birth defects. Is there any truth/information on this?

[Spiritwind]

I have been told by other breeders that is is important that while breeding your dogs, they need to be using the daily heartworm pills rather than the monthly. The monthly doses work by killing EVERYTHING including both sperm and eggs. Resulting in smaller litters and higher birth defects. Is there any truth/information on this?

I have heard this too... and I do not know if there is any truth or any information available on it? Like I said before I know breeders who use daily heartworm pills and I know breeders who use monthly.. and have never to my knowledge had reproduction problems... I've used interceptor and never had problems.... a person who got 2 dogs from me a while back I know uses daily hw pills... I know some of the breeders who use daily, use it because depending on where you get it, the daily is cheaper than monthly heartworm pills when you have more than just 2-3 dogs.

I do know of some Collie breeders who have it in their contract that any puppy bought from them must only be given daily heartworm prevention..

Janna

[ramanth]

I've never heard of daily heartworm treatments.

To be frank, since I nearly lost Kia to ProHeart 6, I'd be very cautious before over medicating any of my pets.

Both Kia and Chipper have been doing well on monthly treatments (HeartGard).

[Catlady711]

Heartgard has Ivermectin which is why I'm using this as the example to answer the question.

From: http://heartgard.us.merial.com/downl...nformation.pdf

SAFETY: HEARTGARD has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs (See PRECAUTIONS for exceptions) including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. ln clinical trials, many
commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines, and steroid preparations have been administered with HEARTGARD Chewables in a heartworm disease preventive program.

Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than16 times the target use level) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions, which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death.

HEARTGARD demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended.

The precaution only stated that dogs must be checked for existing HW infection prior to treating. And the info for Collie reactions related only to gross overdosages.

[Spiritwind]

Heartgard has Ivermectin which is why I'm using this as the example to answer the question.

From: http://heartgard.us.merial.com/downl...nformation.pdf

SAFETY: HEARTGARD has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs (See PRECAUTIONS for exceptions) including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. ln clinical trials, many
commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines, and steroid preparations have been administered with HEARTGARD Chewables in a heartworm disease preventive program.

Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than16 times the target use level) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions, which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death.

HEARTGARD demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended.

The precaution only stated that dogs must be checked for existing HW infection prior to treating. And the info for Collie reactions related only to gross overdosages.

Its late, so maybe that is why I'm not following this post, since I am tired and about to go to bed.. but i'm not sure what this had to do with the question?

Also, just kind of an extra bit of info.. even though heartgard is supposed to be safe at the normal recommended doses, you will find very FEW collie people that will used heartgard in non MDR-1 tested dogs. There have been a few Collie people who have claimed their dogs reacted to normal heartgard doeses as well... even though the study shows its supposed to be safe. Really if you look into the MDR-1 study (ivermectin sensitivity) interceptor isn't supposed to be much safer for collies though...

However I do know of some sheltie people who give straight ivermectin once a month, same dosage as what is in heartgard per the weight of the dog, (rather than a pill)..and they have never had a problem..

I actually have 5 DNA cheek swab test kits for the MDR-1 ivermectin sensitivity test for Collies, soon as I have the money to do several at a time, I plan send in the tests to see how my Collies stand...

Link to a list of possible problem drugs for MDR1 affected dogs