calliecritturs
Posted : 3/18/2010 11:33:50 PM
Spazzy
Im probably going to get that book Callie suggested, it looks like a good reference to have around.
I know Interceptor protects against other types of worms also, besides just HW. Ivermectin alone doesnt do that, right?
Interceptor is milbemycin. HeartGuard (and Iverhart) is ivermectin. They are cousin drugs -- similar but different in how they utlimately 'kill' the parasite (the Pill Book WILL tell you that as well)
BOTH kill any blood-feasting parasite.
Heartworm "prevention" is a misnomer -- you are actually preventing the maturation of any microfilaria in the body -- that's all -- both drugs leave the body within 24 hours.
The dose for heartworm microfilaria is the tiniest dose of either -- given once a month (or theoretically once every 45 days) to kill the microfilaria before they are big enough to go to the next stage and reproduce.
However -- there are graduated doses (for both drugs) that will kill successively hardier parasites -- ear mites, sarcoptic mites (arachnids), lung worm, whip worm, hook worm (were up to the truly NASTY injurious parasites now).
But the dose for demodex is almost 200 times the dose for microfiliara to die. Yep -- a two and two zeros. The range of dose is ENORMOUS. And the dose they use for demodex they give every DAY. (It honestly never kills demodex mites -- they never touch the blood supply -- they live in hair follicles and skin pores -- but in those huge doses given so frequently they are trying to get the ivermectin towards the skin AND there is a side effect that's huge at that point that actually artificially boosts the immune system.)
Milbemycin is simply safer for more varieties of breeds (partly because of how it kills the parasites).
The paste is harder to measure a dose -- and it's in a cream form that is less potent (to my understanding) -- I haven't a clue how much to use of it. You'd have to figure it out the long way from the dilution of the drug per unit. (Make friends with a pharmacist??)
But the paste is more convenient -- swipe a little on your finger and shove it in the mouth. The Ivomec you have to measure with a syringe (if you don't care if it stays sterile you can re-use the syringe, but it's intended to be injected so it comes with a rubber stopper top so you withdraw the amount with a syringe needle). But you can be extremely precise - and you use only like .01 ml on a smaller dog -- literally a few drops. But you can squirt it in a hot dog or in any food they'll consume totally. You don't have to inject it.
In order to protect against hooks and whips -- you have to dose it FOR those parasites. That dose could get iffy for some breeds. It **will** most definitely kill them -- but you want to make darned sure that your dog is not at all sensivie to it before you try such a large dose.
AND the Pill Book is pretty good about describing over-dose. But essentially you would start with a tiny dose and increase and see if they tolerate it. CAREFULLY. But if you have any idea your dog is any PART herder I wouldn't be trying any sizeable dose.
I've treated full blown heartworm (serious life-threatening adult heartworm manifestation that couldn't be treated with the immiticide) with the microfilaria doses of ivermectin ... daily doses for a few months and eventually weaning off it back to the monthly dose It IS addictive -- literally given every day the body depends on it and they can crash and the immune system can go haywire and shut down if it's withdrawn suddenly. It's GREAT for a dog not sensitive.
I can tell you this -- I figured out once that the regular size bottle of Ivomec (it's liek 2 or 3 oz is all) would do heartworm "prevention" for approximately FOURTEEN DOGS (60 -75 pound dogs) every month for the full four year shelf life of the bottle and you will still throw some away. That bottle is still about $45 I think.