Which heartworm meds are best for toy poodle??

I use Interceptor on my boys, but I've also used Heartgard Plus in the past.
 
Heartgard Plus is an ivermectin chewable heartworm preventative which also contains agents to protect against hook and roundworms. Heartgard: [linkhttp://heartgard.us.merial.com/home/]http://heartgard.us.merial.com/home/[/link] There's a link to a pdf file (at the bottom of the page) on product info. Some breeds are intolerant of ivermectin, so you may want to read up on that. I'm sure another poster will be able to share more info on that.
 
Interceptor is a chewable tablet heartworm preventative that also protects against hook, round, and whipworms. Instead of ivermectin, it contains milbemycin oxime. Here's a link to info on Interceptor: [linkhttp://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/cab/interceptor.shtml]http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/cab/interceptor.shtml[/link]
 
Novartis also manufactures Sentinel, which is Interceptor with some flea control, although I'm not sure how effective the flea part is because I've never used it, and I don't know many people who has used it around here. Here's a link to info on Sentinel. It also explains how the flea product works:
[linkhttp://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/cab/sentinel.shtml]http://www.ah.novartis.com/products/en/cab/sentinel.shtml[/link]
 
There's also Revolution, which is a topical heartworm/flea/tick/ear mite/other stuff preventative. ersonally, I'm not a fan of Revolution. I've used it before on a cat for ear mites, but I'm not comfortable with it as a heartworm preventative. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure others will be around to give their opinions and more info on Revolution. [linkhttp://www.revolution4dogs.com/content.asp?country=US&lang=EN&drug=RV&species=CN&sec=000]http://www.revolution4dogs.com/content.asp?country=US&lang=EN&drug=RV&species=CN&sec=000[/link]
 
Whichever you choose, be sure to have your dog tested for heartworms before starting a preventative.

Yeah, we need more information. 
 
How old is the dog?
What breed(s) is the dog?
are they brown spots on the skin or on the coat?

"Yeah, we need more information. 

How old is the dog?
What breed(s) is the dog?
are they brown spots on the skin or on the coat? "
 
My dog is two years old, and as I said, a toy poodle.
I'm not quite sure I understand the brown spots question...
His father was a parti-poodle (multi-colored), so he has one patch of brown hair on his shoulder and his skin is a mix of poodle pink with poodle dark skin (white poodles have pink skin)
Is this what you are referring to????????
What is the relationship of brown spots to heartworm????
 
 
Thanks to both posters for replying to my inquiry.  I will look up the information regarding the heartworm meds recommended. 
 
 
 

No svennie mom you aren't on drugs ... *I* am.  My system is being so slow I opened two windows at once and while I was typing one another popped open in front of it so I answered the wrong post.  I'm SO sorry.
 
I wondered where the one 'went' on your dog, I coulda SWORN I opened a window about heartworm!! Sorry!!
 
To honestly answer your question ... *some* poodles are being found to be sensitive to ivermectin.  Irish Water Spaniels (which are a close poodle cousin) and some others.  It's not common, but it would be enough to make me suggest intereceptor. 
 
Interceptor is essentially safer than ivermectin anyway, and because it's safer it's a different 'dose'.  It does more -- it will kill hooks, whips and other blood feasting parasites (ear mites, etc.).  You could probably half the pill for small dogs but I'm not positive what the dose is for small dogs *that* small (my smallest  is 11 pounds).
 
Both Interceptor (milbemycin) and Heartguard (ivermectin) do only stay in the body one day -- that's the advantage of both of them -- neither are lastingly systemic.  They kill any mirofilaria in the body that day and get pooped out.  No lingering chemicals.
 
I wouldn't use Revolution, altho I won't use it at all period.  It's systemic -- that means the drug goes into the body and *stays* there for the whole month -- it just lingers in the body.  In order for a flea to die it has to bite the dog.  It's known not to even be really satisfactory with heartworm (I'd think they'd get resistant, but that's my own thot, not package facts.)
 
Sentinel is just Interceptor plus an egg inhibitor (it's actually the old Program drug -- nothing more than birth control for fleas).  Unless your dog never goes ANYWHERE, that's pointless because it only keeps fleas from reproducing rather than getting rid of them. The instant your dog goes for a walk and a 'new' flea jumps on the cycle starts all over again.
 
The line between flea and heartworm DOES get a tad blurry but they're quite different, but companies keep trying to make one med do both because of the "convenience" factor.  Personally, I think it just muddys the waters -- particularly for someone like yourself who just wants to do one thing.

Too funny!!  Thanks for clearing up the brown spots question!! LOL!! 
 
Thanks for all of the info and the recommendation.  Interceptor seems to be the safer route to go.  I will talk this over with my vet when I have him tested for heartworm.
 
Sven and I thank you all for your help.
 

What a cutie!!!  (Callie checking the heading to be sure she's replying RIGHT this time)

My 6lbs Reese takes the interceptor for 10lb dogs.We like the interceptor because it prevents the whip worms as well and the dogs we pull from the pound are always loaded with whips! Since they can live in the soil for 5 years i have opted to keep them on it year round.

 I would suggest the SafeHeart dose of Interceptor, it is the only HW "prevention" I would ever use (during the warmer months, I give it every 45 days).
 
[linkhttp://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/1365.htm]http://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/1365.htm[/link]
 
So dogs below 50 pounds should get the dose for dogs up to 10 pounds (2.3 mg) and dogs 50+ pounds should get the dose for dogs 11-25 pounds (5.75 mg).

Does this mean that i can cut everybodys pill in half or even 1/4 and it would still be effective?That would be great news as it would save alot of money!!

ORIGINAL: nyiceprincess

Does this mean that i can cut everybodys pill in half or even 1/4 and it would still be effective?That would be great news as it would save alot of money!!

I wouldn't, I'm not sure how balanced the pill is and that's something I would wonder about. I would just buy lower doses.

btw, the safeheart dose is for HW prevention only - it will not work for worms.

That definitely sounds stressful, and I’ve seen something similar with my own dog. Sudden fear like that can sometimes be triggered by a specific incident — even something small you might not have noticed, like a loud noise or unfamiliar scent. It could also be pain-related, so a quick check-up with the vet is a good first step just to rule that out.

In the meantime, try not to force interactions — let your dog approach at their own pace, and use calm praise and treats to build positive associations again. Sometimes a little patience and consistency can really help them bounce back. You're doing the right thing by looking into it!

That sudden fear sounds really unsettling — I had something similar happen with my dog, and it turned out to be a pain issue that wasn’t obvious at first. Sometimes it’s not behavioral at all, but more about discomfort or even something like vision or hearing changes. I ended up reading some reviews on dutch-pet.pissedconsumer.com/review.html and found a few useful tips that helped me figure out the next steps. Might be worth looking into if your pup doesn’t start bouncing back soon. Hope things improve — it’s tough seeing them scared like that.