heartgard overdose

Just in case someone else does this... I just got advise from a vet assistant.  She said that he would have had to had more than that to be hurt.

I hope the vet assistant is correct...and probably is. However, I would be watching my dog for any adverse reactions.

I have been told by my vet they could actually eat 2 or 3 and be just fine.

The dose of ivermectin in the HeartGuard tablets is absolutely minimal -- if you were treating the same dog for other kinds of mites it would be several times that amount (and the amount they use on demodectic mange is literally 100 times or more the dose for microfilaria/heartworm prevention). 
 
The biggest concern, which is honestly minimal, is the other stuff to bind it together and get it into the body  -- for a dog sensitive to beef it might be a problem. 
 
For a herding dog it could be a problem (corgi, sheltie, collie, shepherd, etc.) IF it's a dog sensitive to ivermectin.

Callie will know if I'm right on this one or not--in Heartguard Plus it's the ingredient that makes it the "Plus" that can be a potential problem?

Ivermectin is potentially toxic.   But it's also true that the dose in the monthly preventative is teeny-tiny compared to other applications. 

By the way, [linkhttp://psych.ucsf.edu/K9BehavioralGenetics/pdf/Literature%20PDF/Geyer%202005%20JVetPharmTher%20canine%20MDR1.pdf]early studies[/link] seem to indicate that Border collies are statistically free of the MDR1 mutation which makes some collies sensitive to a number of pharmaceuticals, including ivermectin.  Studies have also been unable to find this mutation in the bearded collie, though the working samples have been small.  It's still wise to test before treating, if nothing else to expand our statistical exposure!  []

If you have any dog that is in the [linkhttp://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/#Breeds]MDR1 mutation suspect list,[/link] (also see [linkhttp://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5518665]http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5518665[/link] ) or a mix, I'd urge you to get the [linkhttp://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/]DNA test[/link] done - it's only about $60 plus the postage - because there are other drugs besides ivermectin that are contraindicated (see below) for these dogs.  It's just a cheek swab that you can do in your own home, then mail to the lab.

Common drugs that are no-nos for dogs with the MDR1 mutation:

• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"]Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"]Loperamide (Imodium®; over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"]Doxorubicin (anticancer agent)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"]Vincristine (anticancer agent)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"]Vinblastine (anticancer agent)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"]Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"]Digoxin (heart drug)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"] Acepromazine (tranquilizer)
• [font="arial, verdana, helvetica, sans-serif"] Butorphanol (pain control)

"Ace" and "bute" are prescribed a LOT in emergency situations - unlike Hartguard, you won't have time to say, "Oh wait, my dog is an Aussie mix and might be sensitive."

I'm so tempted to have that test run on Emma. She is very sensitive to both ivermectin, and ace. She hasn't had any of those other drugs.

I guess it doesn't really matter, since we're soooo careful about using drugs for her, and we don't know where she came from (to contribute to genetic research).

Wow, I wonder whether she might be a sheltie/jack, or something.  If you found out she's got the MDR1 mutation, it would tell you first, exactly what to be careful of.  There will be lots more information on this mutation to come because there's a bunch of frantic research going on as this mutation has tons of potential to DNA trace a specific "family" of dogs.  Without a doubt, if Emma is symptomatic, she can contribute data, even with her unknown background.

Second, it might give you another clue on her own breeding!  To my knowlege there have been no purebred JRTs noted with MDR1m - but it's not out of the question that she's got some sheltie or even collie or Aussie in there.  I know it doesn't really matter in the long run, but it's fun to think about sometimes.  []

The kid actually herds. I've often wondered if there wasn't something else in there, but there's no way to know.

I have had *two* people in seperate places, at seperate times, insist that she was part ACD. Honestly? I seriously doubt it. She's too typically BYBJRT. That doesn't mean there's not something else in there, it just means I can't tell that there is.

Of course, her vet offered the info that Jacks don't come "speckled". I had to tell her that that's called "ticking" and the breed standard allows for it.

Of course, this is all me musing. Before DNA testing, she needs a thyroid test, another bile acid test, her six months is coming up on her bloodwork, etc etc.