Comments on: Heartworm Medication Part 1: Truths, Omissions and Profits

By: Is it ok to skip heartworm preventive? - Page 2

Is it ok to skip heartworm preventive? - Page 2 — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:41:17 +0000

[...] to develop that the likelihood of the female mosquito living that long is remote.” source: Heartworm Medication: Is Year Round Protection Necessary? | Truth4Dogs I am not trying to persuade anyone one way or another and I admit I get sort of scared not to [...]

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:54:20 +0000

Melissa, you have been led down the path of treating the symptoms, not the cause. Why is your dog so reactive? Does she have other allergies? Food allergies, perhaps?

You need a vet who specializes in holistic medicine to find out what’s going on. Remember, when you suppress symptoms, the problems just turn up elsewhere. I can’t think of anything worse than a 12-month flea med. Would you take it yourself? And how could she have the same symptoms when NOT taking flea medicine?

There are referral lists for holistic and homeopathic vets at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/vets I can also refer you to vets who consult over the phone.

Flea meds are serious medicine. Please see a vet who will look for the cause.
I hope this helps.

By: Melissa H

Melissa H — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:25:00 +0000

Very good blog which prompts me to ask a couple of questions. I have a part toy part miniture poodle she is 4 yrs old. We have a hell of a time as she is allergic to fleas, and also alot of the flea medication. We finally have her ok with the medication but she is always biting scratching she does not have fleas i check her everyday but during the months she does not get the medication on she bites and scratches till she bleeds. She has very sensitive skin and we dont know how to make her stop except ask for 12month flea stuff.Can you give some advice so my little girl doesnt hurt herself.

By: Jan

Jan — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:41:10 +0000

Bettina, I have two thoughts. 1) Regarding “basic immunizations,” please read Vaccinating Dogs: 10 Steps to Eliminating Unnecessary Shots at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/04/22/no-unnecessary-dog-shots/ 2) Re heartworm, OKLA is heartworm country. If you choose not to give meds, please get the blood test at least yearly, at the end of the season. You might want to read Part 2 of my heartworm article: http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/06/16/heartworm-preventative-options/

You’ve evidently been doing a lot right. Good luck in the future with all your dogs.

PS Re your dog who got heartworm on the meds. If you gave them on time, and bought them from a vet, the medication maker should have paid your dog’s medical bills.

By: Bettina

Bettina — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:59:51 +0000

Hello, what an interesting blog site. I’ve had 4 border collies over the last 30 years. Sonya was around when heartworm med was never pushed, living in OK we have mosquitos and she was outside, went to the park, neighborhood, and never got heartworm..living to a ripe age of 14. When I had 3 BC’s all were on heartworm and it (as well as the testing) was a financial strain …the male still got heartworm, and it was almost 200 to treat. He and one female have passed on from old age. My last BC, Dottie, I took off heartworm. She passed on this last summer from old age at the age of 14.5. I just rescued an adult BC/Lab mix and have no intention of dealing with heartworm or lots of medicines. Basic immunizations will be kept, regular bathing, yard control and quality of life will be utmost. The number of tests and medications for animals is fast approaching the number for humans and instead of addressing causes and environment, we pre-address an assumed illness/disease. Thanks for the site, pharmaceuticals are chemicals…and should be used wisely if needed.

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:20:15 +0000

Karen, I’m not an expert on this subject. I do know that there are holistic vets who treat heartworms in a more natural way. Find referral list at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/vet I wish you the best of luck.

By: Karen

Karen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:07:06 +0000

All very interesting posts, however my 11 year old mini dachshund went into heart failure last spring because of heartworms, she survived an injection of immiticide but was very hard on her. Immiticide then became in short supply and now its Nov. She has been on doxycycline for 1 month and heartgard for 7 months. I am hesitant to give her 2nd shot of immiticide, but she has a significant heart murmur, and worms need to be destroyed. What a mess, we live in extremely hot climate in summer, now temps are below 40 at night. Any feedback regarding final immiticide injection? Thanks, Karen

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:31:51 +0000

Kristin, the time to test for heartworms is 6 weeks after you’ve had the last continuous warm weather and after you’ve been off medication.

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:30:28 +0000

Karen, I suggest you contact a homeopathic veterinarian. Find a link to referrals at http://www.dogs4dogs.com/vet Homeopathy might help. I don’t understand why surgery would. And homeopathy is inexpensive. If you can’t find a vet in your area, write me again.

Also, get your dog’s file and contact the vaccine manufacturer(s) and tell them about the reaction, giving brand, serial #, lot #, etc. They’ll have to report it to the USDA and may help pay for your dog’s medical care. Read more here: http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2010/12/02/what-to-do-when-your-dog-has-a-vaccine-reaction/

I’d give your vet hell. Why would he/she vaccinate a 10-year-old dog? http://www.dogs4dogs.com/blog/2009/04/22/no-unnecessary-dog-shots/

I wish you and your dog the best of luck. Don’t give up!

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:14:47 +0000

thank you fir this article I liv in Virginia and they say that HW is a huge problem here… my two chi girls jabs been off of it for almost a month and I was scared to get the tested but this makes me feel so much better!