It’s my guess that your vet just doesn’t want the responsibility of having given a potentially dangerous shot, with well documented adverse reactions, to your dog. Please get a copy of your dog’s file and ask your vet for a copy of Proheart’s product insert. There is no reason why you shouldn’t have it. You need to see all the known reactions. Then call the manufacturer of Proheart 6. Tell them what happened and say you want them to pay your bills.

Also check out reactions here: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/sep08/080901c.asp You’ll probably also want to read this: http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jul08/080715m.asp

Your vet should have told you that Proheart had so many problems that it was withdrawn from the market. If not, you should complain to your stain veterinary board.

I wish you well in your endeavors.

I asked the vet on every occasion we visited them during the few months that Baxter was sick if this illness could be a reaction to the ProHeart injection, and they assured me every time “No”. I was told at that time that the only reaction would have been soreness at the inj site or an upset stomach for a couple of days. NO warnings were given, or information about a previous recall, prior to us giving this injection to our dog.

I have no problem giving the name of the Vet. We went to Banfield Animal Hospital at a Pet Smart store. Needless to say, we will not go back once we decide to adopt again.

You might check out the info on reactions here: http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/moxidectin/reactions2.html Also, I’d insist that your vet give you the product insert that comes with the product. It should list all reactions, although long-term drug reactions, like cancer, are seldom reported.

Your vet should certainly have warned you about this medication. The vet owed you a legal duty of full disclosure. I’d give him/her hell for not warning you and for using the medication in the first place. There are many other, safer meds. You don’t say where you live. I hope it was at least a high heartworm area.

And change vets.

Again, I send condolences.

When I gave him the ProHeart6 I never knew there was a previous recall or any problem with it. Have you heard of this injection causing cancer?

Your request to have your vet back up this claim with documentation or a source is a good one. Why wouldn’t the vet want documentation or know the exact source? Why not call the company that makes the medication and ask?

Also, the 6 weeks to 4 weeks change doesn’t make sense to me, but I’m not a vet. Have you read my two articles on heartworm (not just the one on Proheart 6)? http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/05/13/heartworm-medication-safety/

Let me know what you find out.

Note from Jan, blog owner: Thanks for you post, Mark. I am unfamiliar with Ivomec. As always, I suggest anyone wanting to try a new heartworm product clear it with their vet first.