Question for Breeders: Heartworm Medication

[EmrldShdwQueen]

For breeders, what kind of heartworm medications do you use? Pills or do you mix up your own?

[Sugar's Mom]

i use Interceptor and it is safe for prego girls, too.

[bjh]

I don't use any, never have and never will. Another controversial subject. My babies stay indoors. I have never had problems with heart worms.

[BamaFan121s]

Interceptor.

[Brooklynn]

heartguard

[hartygirl]

My yorkies are on revolution. So far so good. Addy has been on it for a year and just had her check up. It is working great!

[Breny]

I used heartgaurd and I can't say for sure this is to blame BUT I gave it to my bred (just bred) Chi not even thinking and ended up with a cleft palate pup. I now will not use ANYTHING on a female who I'm even just "thinking" about breeding.

My cleft palate baby made it, it was a hard long road for me, (and she is still with me and love her to death!!!!! ) but I will never chance it again.

[Brooklynn]

Originally Posted by Breny

I used heartgaurd and I can't say for sure this is to blame BUT I gave it to my bred (just bred) Chi not even thinking and ended up with a cleft palate pup. I now will not use ANYTHING on a female who I'm even just "thinking" about breeding.

My cleft palate baby made it, it was a hard long road for me, (and she is still with me and love her to death!!!!! ) but I will never chance it again.

I never give heartworm meds when a bitch is pregnant

[Breny]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

I never give heartworm meds when a bitch is pregnant

I know, neither do I. Like I said, I didn't even think and she had just been bred and in heat at the time. HUGE mistake on my end. I can't say this why I ended up with a cleft palate pup but I have some suspision.

Like I said I give my girls NOTHING now if I'm even THINKING I may even just BREED them.

[jeanietoo]

Originally Posted by bjh

I don't use any, never have and never will. Another controversial subject. My babies stay indoors. I have never had problems with heart worms.

Lucky You. Don't you get mosquitos inside your house? I had a dog die of heartworm disease. There are lots of vaccines and meds I wouldn't use but heartworm is one I'll always give

[topknot]

My dogs are kept inside and we live more in the mountains - very north area of Georgia, so not many mosquitos here. We also check and make sure we do not have any standing or collecting water anywhere. I think using the oil on their coats also deter any pests from getting on them. I prefer not to use any drug that could harm them or the pups. I do test for heartworms. It has always been negative on all of them. If I lived in a warmer area - then yes I would use a preventative. But would never use it 2 months before or during the time they would be pregnant.
T.

[jeanietoo]

I do only give 6 months out of the year though

[bjh]

Originally Posted by jeanietoo

Lucky You. Don't you get mosquitos inside your house? I had a dog die of heartworm disease. There are lots of vaccines and meds I wouldn't use but heartworm is one I'll always give

Actually I rarely get any mosquitoes in our house. I have my reasons and if you read some of the information on the links below you might understand. Also, I have know a number of outside dogs that were on the preventative and they got heart worms anyway.
http://quikonnex.com/channel/item/13049
http://www.nbc5i.com/family/3345322/detail.html
http://www.theherbsplace.com/Heartwo...on_sp_104.html

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by bjh

Actually I rarely get any mosquitoes in our house. I have my reasons and if you read some of the information on the links below you might understand. Also, I have know a number of outside dogs that were on the preventative and they got heart worms anyway.
http://quikonnex.com/channel/item/13049
http://www.nbc5i.com/family/3345322/detail.html
http://www.theherbsplace.com/Heartwo...on_sp_104.html

Although I give heartworm med (hate it but am not comfortable stopping), I'd really like some information on how many dogs still get it even on meds. Any info on that?

[bjh]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Although I give heartworm med (hate it but am not comfortable stopping), I'd really like some information on how many dogs still get it even on meds. Any info on that?

I don't really know what those statics would be. I really don't know of any dogs that have actually died from heart worms but I do know of several that were symptom free and then the vets started treatment and the dogs died from the treatment. Dogs can have heart worms with no ill effects and the heart worms will just die of old age eventually. And I do realize there are exceptions. I am not advocating that people should not use heart worm medication, everyone has to do what they think is best. I just don't think it is necessary to give your dog a dose of poison every month. Now days there are simple and safer ways to treat your dog if it does come up positive for heart worms. It just scares me to death to think of the long term effects these poisons have on a dogs liver and other organs. Add to that all the vaccinations vets want to give our dogs and it is no wonder we are seeing so many health problems in these little dogs.