Is it worth it?

• 10-24-2009 8:19 PM

  Spazzy Joined on 04-22-2006 Connecticut Posts 825 Points 20

  Is it worth it? Reply Contact Giving heartworm prevention... is it really worth it? When i got Bailey he had heartworms, and it cost $600+ to treat it. Ever since then, he has been on interceptor every month (except in the winter). Going through the treatment for it was horrible, for him and me. Ever since then, even though i like giving as little pesticides/vaccines as possible, i figured it was better to give him pesticides every month than go through that treatment again. Today i went to a dog halloween party at the dog daycare ive done volunteer work at for 3 years. They had lots of little games and contests, and there was a dog trainer from my area that i had heard about but never met before. We got to talking about dog stuff and i asked him what kind of training he does. He has 13 dogs, which he does french ring sport training with (and i get to go watch a training session for ring sport tomarrow, YAY) but anyways, hearing that he had 13 dogs i said "holy crap, that must be a whole lot of $$$ for flea/HWmeds each month" He said he doesnt use flea meds or ivermectin at all, and he has never had a flea infestation in his house, nor has any of his dogs ever had heartworms. He said he gets them tested twice a year. He puts Skin So soft bug spray on them when they are going outside when there are lots of bugs, but other than that he doesnt do anything to prevent them from getting HW. Obviously you wouldnt be doing this in any of the southern states, where you have bugs year round. But up here in CT, do you think its an option? I like the idea of not having to put chemicals on/in him anymore, but im sure its worth it to risk getting HWs... Im not sure if i would ever do it, but im wondering what everyone elses opinions on this are. -Chelsea &

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• 10-24-2009 8:25 PM

  In reply to Spazzy

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,726 Points 1,020

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact For me, it wouldn't be an option.  While I do think you can get away without the toxic spot on bug stuff, or use all natural bug stuff, you need heartworm protection in any area where they are prevalent because the treatment, should the dog get heartworm is not only expensive, it's very much more toxic than the Interceptor.  Skin So Soft is something that a lot of people swear by for repelling greenheads and ticks.  But, I'm not so sure that it will defend against mosquitoes.  Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 10-24-2009 8:35 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 7,307 Points 4,610

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact I imagine ct is much like mi - lots of squeeters spring summer and fall. Not so much in the winter. I see a lot of aussies come through rescue that are hw+ so its def. Something to worry about here. The only dog that I didn't worry about with hw meds was dakota only because of her super thick coat. There was no finding skin on that dog and squeeters never got to her

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• 10-24-2009 10:32 PM

  In reply to Jewlieee

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,874 Points 3,330

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact that trainer is living in a dream world -- and frankly if I found out that a trainer I was thinking of using did NOT ensure their animals weren't positive I'd walk out and never return -- because if his animals ARE ever positive they are little heartworm factories because that trainer is too cheap to test?? Read the first part of your own post -- Baily went THRU all the agony of the treatment (and it is NO walk in the park -- it can cause them a LOT of physical pain and the immiticide is HARD on their bodies) -- so I would think right there you'd say "No way not EVER is he risking going thru that again" I've seen what heartworm does to dogs -- I've seen it kill their hearts and lungs, and I've seen the treatment ALSO cause major health issues.  Sooooo preventing it is so easy?  You don't have to do Interceptor every 30 days - you can effectively use it every 45, and with Interceptor you are also preventing lovely things like hooks and ticks too.

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• 10-25-2009 12:03 AM

  In reply to Spazzy

  Beejou Joined on 03-31-2008 Washington Posts 282 Points 30

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact   I live in one of the least likely areas in the US for a dog to pick up HW. My dog is still on preventative. It DOES show up, and it's becoming more frequent.   Especially since your baby has already had them and needed treatment, I would NOT risk it.He might not fair so well if he has to get treated again. I have known dogs that didn't handle it. Just my thoughts, better safe than sorry!

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• 10-27-2009 7:54 AM

  In reply to Beejou

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,924 Points 745

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact   Granted the heartworm infection is everywhere.  Since he is testing twice a year and the dogs are clear, the data does support his decision.  Should an infection start between testings, the treatment would occur prior to damage etc.  I know of livestock dogs who have no flea and tick treatment of a "chemical" nature.  They use Bug Off Garlic from Springtime.  These dogs are well managed and cared for,  but this really works... No fly bites on ears either.  Does anyone know the specific mosquito that carries the parasite?  Could it be that his dogs are well protected with respect the time they could be bitten?

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• 10-27-2009 7:46 PM

  In reply to mrv

  FrisbyPI Joined on 07-17-2009 Rhode Island Posts 120 Points 0

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact mrv: Does anyone know the specific mosquito that carries the parasite? The articles I've read say many common mosquito species in our area (New England) can be infected and transmit the larvae that become the worms.  Our local towns' mosquito control info web sites have good info about the disease and mosquito involvement. I mrv: Since he is testing twice a year and the dogs are clear, the data does support his decision.  Should an infection start between testings, the treatment would occur prior to damage etc.  I'm not clear about the tests and 6 month intervals-are they able to detect the parasite before its in adult stage and producing larvae? The Heartworm Society info. states, "The earliest that heartworm antigen and microfilariae can be detected is about five and 6.5 months post-infection, respectively."  To me, it seems way too risky not to use prevention measures (both to protect my dog and to protect other dogs/animals).  I personally would not even think about not using available prevention meds. on this one. Even while being treated for IMHA, Frisby is getting her heart worm meds because it's just too risky not to. But, that's my way of thinking--there may be good reasons not to use the prevention meds--I just don't know what they are yet. Kate and Frisby

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• 10-27-2009 9:24 PM

  In reply to FrisbyPI

  Mechanical Angel Joined on 04-24-2008 Posts 496 Points 130	Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact I would definetly, definetly keep Bailey on the heartworm/flea tick meds.
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• 10-27-2009 9:51 PM

  In reply to Mechanical Angel

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Posts 9,907 Points 655	Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact To me it's not worth it NOT to do it.  It's cheap for me and my dogs are otherwise healthy and have no complications.  I live in Michigan but when I volunteered at the shelter it seemed like 1/3 of the dogs were still HW+ in this climate. http://vankelderdogs.dutchbingo.net http://www.schhmi.com
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• 10-27-2009 11:53 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  Sunshinegirl Joined on 05-03-2007 Florida, USA Posts 1,540 Points 565	Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact IMO it's not worth the risk no matter where you live. After volunteering at a shelter and seeing what it does to dogs and some of them not recovering.... I would never risk my dogs going thru the horrible process of having and treating HW. I feel like it's part of being a responsible dog owner, that's just me..... Sunshine Girl
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• 10-28-2009 8:08 AM

  In reply to FrisbyPI

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,924 Points 745

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact Just being a devil's advocate.  I was interested in knowing if the transmission was species specific as it is in some diseases. Too bad it does not appear to be that way.  As to the idea of treating after infection,  the window of six months would suggest the parasite would not be present in massive numbers.   My post was not specifically in support of the idea.  I keep my dog's on for 9 of 12 months (we dont use it in Dec, Jan, Feb).  I test in March.  That may change with a more to a country location and an area with marsh lands and lakes in fairly close proximity to the house.

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• 10-30-2009 8:33 AM

  In reply to mrv

  sharismom Joined on 09-10-2007 mid-Michigan Posts 3,202 Points 30

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact I also live in Michigan.  We have tons of lakes and rivers and a tremendous amount of mosquitos. I have an elderly heartworm positive dog right now.  I adopted her from the shelter 2 months ago because I knew she would not get the care she needed.  She is too old and frail to go through the Immiticide treatment, but I am giving her ivermectin monthly (we are under the vet's care).  She will still die from the congestive heart failure caused by the damage the heartworms have already done.  It's a horribly slow way to die.  Her circulation is poor, so her feet and ears are cold.  She's wobbly in the back because of this, too.  The sad part is that this was preventable.  All her other bloodwork came back good despite her age.  I know a person who refuses to have his dog tested or treated because he "doesn't live near where there are other dogs".  I said, "the heartworm is carried by mosquitos".  His logic is that he isn't close enough to other dogs that are infected and those mosquitos that may bite the infected dogs and carry the disease won't be close enough to bite and infect his dog.   I said, "mosquitos fly, they can travel a good distance".  But he also leaves his dog outside to roam, seldom brings her in the house unless it's really cold.  I even had my husky on preventative since mosquitos could still bite her nose, inner ear flaps, and the abdominal area between her back legs, where there was less hair. Tina

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• 10-30-2009 9:16 AM

  In reply to sharismom

  Kim_MacMillan Joined on 11-21-2006 Eastern Canada Posts 1,592 Points 200	Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact I'm so pleased I do not have to deal with heartworm where I live. We do not have it, nor do we treat for it. It makes one part of my life easier so I don't have to worry about how to deal with this risk. Zipper, 6 yo. Gaci, 5 yo. Shimmer, 2.5 yo.
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• 11-09-2009 11:37 AM

  In reply to Spazzy

  crysania Joined on 09-04-2008 Syracuse, NY Posts 158 Points 45

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact I live in central NY.  Last year I opted to not put flea/tick meds on my dog through the cold winter months and start it back up in April (a month earlier than they suggested).  I took her in for her yearly exam in mid-April.  She had lyme disease.  Asymptomatic when it was caught luckily, but it cost me some $250 to test and treat (so far) and had we not had our appointment then, it's likely she would have started to show symptoms and things could have gotten worse.  You bet I'll be keeping her on flea/tick meds year round this year (and heartworm as well...I won't risk that either).

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• 11-09-2009 1:13 PM

  In reply to crysania

  griffinej5 Joined on 09-10-2007 Pa Posts 2,777 Points 60

  Re: Is it worth it? Reply Contact  I generally opt to use heartworm and flea/tick every month. Occassionally, I have made the decision to stretch it a bit, never beyond 45 days, depending on the weather. If it's good and frozen when they're due for it, and will be for several more days, I'll wait. When I see it's supposed to warm up, then I'll do it. I would never totally not do it. It's much cheaper to prevent than to try to cure it. Emperor of the Markie Fan Club

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