Help regarding heartworm prevention...please! (Proofpup)

Yes, Pics are necessary :)  Especially since I have a minpin as well!

I do Iverhart (generic of heartgard) but now hearing everyone's opinions I might switch to Interceptor.   My guys have not been wormed in a very long time other than the heartworm pill.

shamrockmommy

I do Iverhart (generic of heartgard) but now hearing everyone's opinions I might switch to Interceptor.   My guys have not been wormed in a very long time other than the heartworm pill.

  Why would you switch from something that is working just because others on this forum use a different product? I have always used Ivermectin (active ingredient in Heartguard) except when I had a collie. Most adult dogs don't need to be regularly wormed - most of my dogs have not been wormed for intestinal worms since puppyhood including the seniors.

AgileGSD

Why would you switch from something that is working just because others on this forum use a different product?

I'm just curious about why you would care if she wants to change products.  It's not like anyone criticized Ivermectin.  

AgileGSD

Most adult dogs don't need to be regularly wormed - most of my dogs have not been wormed for intestinal worms since puppyhood including the seniors.

You're not talking anything like the same thing here -- you worm for roundworms as a puppy.  But hooks and whips??  If your dog had them and you did NOT catch it and did NOT worm them there wouldn't be a problem because the dogs would be DEAD.  In the more southern areas wehre hoooks and whips ARE a problem you either have to do it routinely or you have to have fecals done at least four times a year because they can be anemic and then pass away before you even know a thing is wrong.  Particulalry in a senior animal.

Alkso there is more and more concern down here that there is a developing strain of heartworm that are immune to ivermectin.  Not always seeen and not always identified, but it's a concern among many vets.

Sometimes Agile, you just plain switch because it's wise.  Unless you just want to be provocative.

 I have a friend, who's gorgeous show dogs hang out with my awesome obedience dogs. They play in the same yard, are all groomed by me, and attend the same shows. Her youngest started really looking scraggly, and we all thought it was just her age. It wasn't. She had whipworms, and she became very ill. Her others had it, too, but they were older and not stressed by growing. Mine were fortunate, and didn't contract them. That's when, and why, I switched. She switched, too. We were using Triheart (generic, scored, so you can split them). It's one pill a month. It hasn't affected the dogs negatively, at all. It was a close call, for me, and scared me, having two seniors at the time (Emma wasn't, chronologically, but she was in wear and tear).

My feelings on it are if you have to give something you might as well give the one that kills the other stuff too. I've got cats that go in and out so it's always a worry that they could bring something in though. 

I use interceptor on my crew too. At the shelter, we use heartgard, and regularly deworm with panacur. My only issue with heartgard is they HAVE to CHEW it, for the ivermectin to work - they are not supposed to swallow the pill whole.

 I didn't know that, Erica! Do they have to chew the Interceptor, too? Should I be crushing it?

erica1989

I use interceptor on my crew too. At the shelter, we use heartgard, and regularly deworm with panacur. My only issue with heartgard is they HAVE to CHEW it, for the ivermectin to work - they are not supposed to swallow the pill whole.

 I haven't used Heartgard in years but I've never heard that before. It is always a good idea for people to do their own research not just go along with what the majority on an internet forum say is best. Revilution is for HW and LOTS of other stuff, so if the thinking is the more it prevents, the better it is that would be the product to use. Roundworms are not the only kind of worm puppies can get and not always the only kind they are wormed for, it depends on what is used and/or what their fecal test shows.

AgileGSD

Revilution is for HW and LOTS of other stuff, so if the thinking is the more it prevents, the better it is that would be the product to use.

I never said the more it prevents the better it is. I just like that the things it happens to take care of are actually of some concern for me.  And, Willow has health issues which make Interceptor the best choice for her.  But, that doesn't mean it's better for every dog.  Frankly, if I didn't have the indoor/outdoor cat situation I've got here IMO intestinal worming monthly would be a bit much, again, MHO.  

I have also read as I've browsed sites that sell Heartgard that the Heartgard should not be swallowed whole and can be broken up into small bits if needed.  I never knew the reasons why though.  For example here is one site-it's right under "directions."  http://www.petcarerx.com/pcrx/ProductPages/Dogs/SpecialProducts/Heartgard.aspx

I never realized the heartgard was supposed to be chewed. Mine normally carefully chew whatever they get except Bug. Their HW tests have been negative so far. Going to get interceptor tho from now on because so far ive like what Ive read and heard about it.

jennie_c_d

didn't know that, Erica! Do they have to chew the Interceptor, too? Should I be crushing it?

Now, I'm wondering the same thing. 

 It won't be too big of a deal to crush it and mix it with wet food. Bean crunches hers, but Jewel has to be pilled.

Interceptor can be pilled, Casey usually chews his anyways.

And Agnile, I'm not believing 'everything I read online'. I was told that straight from the Heartgard rep, in person.

AgileGSD

Revilution is for HW and LOTS of other stuff, so if the thinking is the more it prevents, the better it is that would be the product to use

Revolution is an option but it fails regularly down here, but my biggest problem with it is that it's systemic.  It sinks into the skin to the bloodstream, there there is no really clear way to know how long it actually lasts in the body nor how effective it is (and vets often double the dose, which in my o[omopm gets really risky).

AgileGSD

It is always a good idea for people to do their own research not just go along with what the majority on an internet forum say is best

But this IS a good way to get other input and get testimonials of other's experiences -- particularly in light of the fact that for heartworms and most blood-feasting parasites the "South" generally tends to be hit harder because of the weather

Oneo f the best websites I know of is http://www.dogsadversereactions.com -- it brings other cautions forward that would be easy to miss if you were only reading the website of the company that wants to sell the stuff.