Im in complete panic...

• 08-30-2007 9:21 PM

  terrierlover Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 638 Points 0

  Im in complete panic... Reply Contact   I have NEVER EVER forgotten to give my dogs there Interceptor .... I forgot this month.... It just dawned on me...I got it in them tonight... There is NO EXCUSE other than I forgot to write it down on my calander to give it to them... IM sure I forgot....Either I was consumed with all of Alleys meds and our vacation it slipped my mind and wasn't on my calander. Im going to call the Vet tomorrow and ask them but what are your thoughts on this??? I swear Im in a nervous breakdown stage.... After seeing so many dogs in Rescue that had to be treated for HW including my Max ..... Geese what else I ask myself.....

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• 08-30-2007 9:23 PM

  In reply to terrierlover

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 8,037 Points 2,180	RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact How late are you -- even at 45 days you are FINE.   And even if you have missed a month, it's still only going to be microfilaria ... just keep them very sedentary for a couple of days and you'll be fine.  No huge exercise ... just keep it calm for 48 hours.
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• 08-30-2007 9:38 PM

  In reply to terrierlover

  terrierlover Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 638 Points 0

  RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact How late are you -- even at 45 days you are FINE. And even if you have missed a month, it's still only going to be microfilaria ... just keep them very sedentary for a couple of days and you'll be fine. No huge exercise ... just keep it calm for 48 hours.   I always give Interceptor on the first day of the month.. So IM 29 days late... So I gave them there pill tonight... Why do they have to be more quiet and calm.. This Im not following??? I think my nerves are shot... Its been rough loosing Alley and now I forgot the most import pill of the month for my dogs....

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• 08-30-2007 9:48 PM

  In reply to terrierlover

  Sham85 Joined on 06-06-2007 Posts 341 Points 0

  RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact A dog is not instantly going to get heartworm just because your late on a preventative.  It's not like they are already sick with something and you forgot to treat them.  They would have to get bit by a mosquito carrying the disease while the medication in their system was too low.  The meds also don't just disapear after a month.  The levels slowly drop off.  Plenty of people forget a month or 2 of heartworm meds every now and then.  The risk just increases so you should have them tested more frequently to make sure. [linkhttp://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html]http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html[/link] , [linkhttp://www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=17]http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=17[/link]

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• 08-30-2007 9:48 PM

  In reply to terrierlover

  willowchow Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 6,776 Points 345	RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact Kim, I think what she was trying to say was that if they do have microfilaria you giving them the pill tonight is going to take care of that.  But, they should be quiet so as to allow it to work--just like dogs on heartworm treatments.    But, I think they will be fine---don't beat yourself up over this!! Lori[]
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• 08-30-2007 10:01 PM

  In reply to terrierlover

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 8,037 Points 2,180

  RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact IF there is an abnormal amount of microfilaria in the bloodstream then the Interceptor will kill them all.  But then when that's filtered thru the liver and kidneys it puts a heavy load on them, so you want to keep the heart pumping as easily as possible to not stress the body.  Willow's got it right -- just like if they were doing the treatments -- you gotta keep them chilled out.   If you can't feel comfortable give everbuddy the 2 mg/lb dose of Benedryl and let them SLEEP for a couple of days.  You can give it 2-4 times a day -- it won't hurt and it will keep them a bit sedentary.  Just let them have ALL the water they want.

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• 08-30-2007 10:02 PM

  In reply to terrierlover

  terrierlover Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 638 Points 0

  RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact But, I think they will be fine---don't beat yourself up over this!! Oh did you notice I was doing that??[sm=beatdeadhorse.gif]   Sham85 thanks for the links.. and the information. Those are great sites... Better than what I have.... I give my dogs Interceptor all year round and My Vet makes it manditory that all dogs are checked with there yearly visit. Im so anal about always remembering this....   I really appreciate everyones input....There are always so many great people here with great information.

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• 08-30-2007 10:16 PM

  In reply to terrierlover

  ColleenC Joined on 07-26-2006 Posts 1,564 Points 5

  RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact ORIGINAL: Sham85 A dog is not instantly going to get heartworm just because your late on a preventative.  It's not like they are already sick with something and you forgot to treat them.  They would have to get bit by a mosquito carrying the disease while the medication in their system was too low.  The meds also don't just disapear after a month.  The levels slowly drop off.  Plenty of people forget a month or 2 of heartworm meds every now and then.  The risk just increases so you should have them tested more frequently to make sure. [linkhttp://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html]http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hw.html[/link] , [linkhttp://www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=17]http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=17[/link] Actually, hearworm meds don't stay in the system.  They kill heartworm larvae up to about 45 days old.  So, when you give it to them, it kills all larvae therefore taking away the worms that could mature and cause problems.  They are there for the day and kill all young heartwomrms and then are gone.

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• 08-31-2007 6:33 AM

  In reply to terrierlover

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,785 Points 330

  RE: Im in complete panic... Reply Contact ColleenC: Actually, hearworm meds don't stay in the system. ColleenC is correct.  Interceptor and Heartgard are out of the dog's system in 24-48 hours.  The "preventatives" prevent adult heartworms by killing immature heartworms.  Heartworm "treatments" kill adult heartworms and are very hard on the dog (requires arsenic compounds).   A dog will not have microfilaria unless it already has adult heartworms.  The microfilaria are the initial stage of the heartworm babies.  The microfilaria develop into stage L3 inside a mosquito.  A dog is infected with heartworms when the mosquito deposits an L3 into a dog's skin.   Heartworm "preventatives" will kill stage L3, L4, and some younger L5 immature heartworms.  If your dogs have immature heartworms that have gotten to the older L5 stage, there is no way to find that out right now.  Wait 6 months and have your dogs tested for adult female heartworms (L6).   NOTE:  A dog has to have several adult female heartworms before that test will be positive for adults.  Have the testing done just before you are due for a heartworm "preventative" to have the greatest chance of detecting microfilaria.  They accumulate between doses.  There is no test for adult male heartworms.

  Filed under: heartworms, heartworm treatment, heartworm preventative, microfilaria, L5, L6, L3, L4 Post Points: 0