Dog Community

Heartworm

Posted : 3/28/2006 3:11:46 PM

Sorry to doublepost but I didn't get many responses under Pests & Parasites so I'm posting this question here as well. Since Heartworm season is upon many of us who live in mosquito territory, I thought it pertinent and maybe others will be wondering this same thing...

Which monthly preventative is thought to be better (safer, more effecitve) than the other -- Ivermectin (Heartgard) or Interceptor? Or is it just personal preference and works different for different dogs (like Frontline vs. Advantage). I know that Heartgard is not recommended for herding breeds. I know that Interceptor also controls hookworms, roundworms and whipworms but Heartgard doesn't (Heartgard PLUS does but I understand that product should be avoided). And I know Heartgard is a flavored chewable and Interceptor is a pill that needs to be swallowed. Anything else I should consider?

My dog has taken Heartgard in the past with no notable issues. Just wondering if Interceptor is better for any reason other than what I've stated above. Thanks all!

agilebcs

Posted : 3/28/2006 3:32:39 PM

Personally use Interceptor because it covers whipworms and I've had a dog with whips. It's not really a pill per se, my dogs eat it out of my hand like a treat - no differently than when I used Heartguard.

Heartguard does have Ivermectin which some of the herding breeds are sensitive too, but the amounts of it are not enough to generally be a problem and true invermectin sensitivity is pretty rare. I would have no problem treating my border collies with Heartguard were it not for the whipworm issue.

tashakota

Posted : 3/28/2006 3:35:02 PM

We too use Interceptor to help cover the other possible worms out there. And our dogs like the taste of the pill so they do not swallow it whole, they chew it up.

labcrab

Posted : 3/28/2006 3:49:39 PM

Heartgard PLUS does but I understand that product should be avoided

Really? That's what I use! Why should it be avoided?

Amelia

Posted : 3/28/2006 4:29:31 PM

Heartgard prevents heartworm and Heartgard PLUS has an added chemical to also prevent hookworm and roundworm. Thinking about it now, I shouldn't have phrased it that way. I think the person who told me to avoid it just isn't a proponent of putting chemicals on their dogs so in their mind the fewer chemicals applied, the better (and I'm mainly concerned with heartworm alone so they told me to avoid the added chemicals in HG Plus).

papillon806

Posted : 3/28/2006 4:40:06 PM

What about Sentinel? I like that one because it prevents against fleas as well...

Amelia

Posted : 3/28/2006 5:54:01 PM

Fleas aren't a problem for us, so that's not a concern for me.

Called and found out my vet only uses Heartgard so that's what I'll be continuing with!

griffinej5

Posted : 3/28/2006 10:20:25 PM

I think we used Interceptor last year, but I need to go get some, and will find out for sure when I do. I had no problems with getting Max or Millie to take it. In fact, Max thought it was so great, he would spit his on the floor and roll on it before eating it.

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/28/2006 10:56:01 PM

Sentinel does NOT prevent "against" fleas. Sentinel is milbimycin (same stuff as Interceptor with an added ingredient). Sentinel has also got the same drug as the old "Program" drug -- which is an egg inhibitor.

It's like birth control for fleas essentially -- the flea doesn't die, but when it mates and has babies, the babies aren't able to develop the hard casing that all fleas have so it dies. So it doesn't kill the flea, and it only works to lessen the flea population if your dog never goes outside your own door! The second a new flea jumps on it can have lots of babies!!

Stef w

Posted : 3/29/2006 7:17:24 AM

Mine are on sentinel - because my vet likes it. Unfortunately Callie is right. I had fleas all last year. It was AWFUL! I eventually added Advantage ... but that added more cost.

While we're talking about this, is there a better product I should ask for? One that will cover fleas and worms?

calliecritturs

Posted : 3/29/2006 7:53:28 PM

No just tell your vet to sell Interceptor (which is cheaper than Sentinel -- same company) and then I use Frontline because I don't have to use it every month except when they are 'bad'.

pumaward

Posted : 3/30/2006 7:14:42 AM

Is there anything wrong w/ Heartguard Plus?

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 3/30/2006 12:28:29 PM

If you're worried about mosquitoes, PM Anne for some info on essential oils. I got a small vial last year (it lasts forever because you just put a few drops in about a cup of water in a spray bottle) - it smells great - I think it has lavender and eucalyptus - I just sprayed my arms and feet with it and spritzed Max with it before we went out in the evenings and neither one of us ever got bit by anythng.

Amelia

Posted : 3/30/2006 5:30:03 PM

Do you mean spiritdogs Anne?

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 3/30/2006 9:01:34 PM

Yes, mini-mom. Spiritdogs Anne