Flea & Heartworm???

[Furmom]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I can understand how some people may not want to give heartworm meds - but it really IS like playing Russian Roulette - with your dog! And let me give you some real life examples.

I live in Phoenix, AZ -- we don't have an especially outrageous incidence or prevalence - nonetheless -- I've always treated for heartworm EVERY SINGLE MONTH here in AZ.

I work in rescue a lot here, and pick up a lot of strays and it's just mind boggling - in this rather low-ish area of incidence/prevalence -just how many strays/rescues I've been involved with who are positive for heartworm. It is FOR SURE out there, folks. No doubt about it.

I have to agree with your comment about strays. In my humble opinion, stray animals are more prone to getting fleas, ticks and heartworm because they're on the street more and so are outside pets. There are hundreds and thousands of people who give their pets heartworm meds and unfortunately they still get heartworm. Poor babies.

[Furmom]

Originally Posted by njimko

Thanks for all your feedback. Will get him back on it.

All the best wishes to you. My cat will be 19 this year and she's never had heartworm and my Yorkies will not get it. I use preventative just in a natural form. I'm not on here to tell anyone what to do with their loved babies. ❤️

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Furmom

Again, this is MY personal experience and you will NOT change my mind. Do as you please with your animals and I'll do the same. I have absolutely NO energy nor time to go back and forth with you. This will be my last response to you.

Take care!!

It's your dog and you can do whatever you want, but if you're seeking affirmation or trying to convince others not to give heartworm medication, don't expect that to go without comment. Our vet in central Illinois treats several cases of heartworm infection each year, and it's not pleasant, let alone safe for the dog. Also, my cats are indoor cats and they've still gotten fleas from house mice, and tapeworms from fleas. If you just wanted to say you haven't had any problems with heartworms after never treating your dog, let me just say you should consider yourself lucky. (See attached heartworm incidence map. The rates are given as number of cases PER CLINIC.)

[Furmom]

Originally Posted by pstinard

It's your dog and you can do whatever you want, but if you're seeking affirmation or trying to convince others not to give heartworm medication, don't expect that to go without comment. Our vet in central Illinois treats several cases of heartworm infection each year, and it's not pleasant, let alone safe for the dog. Also, my cats are indoor cats and they've still gotten fleas from house mice, and tapeworms from fleas. If you just wanted to say you haven't had any problems with heartworms after never treating your dog, let me just say you should consider yourself lucky. (See attached heartworm incidence map. The rates are given as number of cases PER CLINIC.)

Hello! I am well informed and aware of the dangers of heartworm and preventives. I could go on and on with facts and evidence to support my opinion, but with all due respect I am not. I am in no way, shape or form "seeking affirmation" or "trying to convince" anyone to do anything. I only stated my experience and nothing more.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Furmom

Hello! I am well informed and aware of the dangers of heartworm and preventives. I could go on and on with facts and evidence to support my opinion, but with all due respect I am not. I am in no way, shape or form "seeking affirmation" or "trying to convince" anyone to do anything. I only stated my experience and nothing more.

Alrighty then

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Furmom

Again, this is MY personal experience and you will NOT change my mind. Do as you please with your animals and I'll do the same. I have absolutely NO energy nor time to go back and forth with you. This will be my last response to you.

Take care!!

I just want to inform you and others that your opinion is VERY dangerous and risky. It’s just not worth the risk. I have heard of dogs in TX going to rescues and a lot of times test positive for heart worms. It’s just not worth the risk it’s so much eassier and better for you dog to give a monthly chew. I was also addressing how you saying your dog is an inside dog and with heart worms that makes no difference. What you said is scary to me. It’s good though that your open minded and willing to take on new information

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Furmom

I have to agree with your comment about strays. In my humble opinion, stray animals are more prone to getting fleas, ticks and heartworm because they're on the street more and so are outside pets. There are hundreds and thousands of people who give their pets heartworm meds and unfortunately they still get heartworm. Poor babies.

That is where you are false it dosen’t mater if they are inside or out. Mosquitoes are inside too. Actually when it’s done right it’s very effective. Most people end up skipping or forgetting a dose and that’s why a dog even on the meds gets heart worms so sadly again your facts are off.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

It's your dog and you can do whatever you want, but if you're seeking affirmation or trying to convince others not to give heartworm medication, don't expect that to go without comment. Our vet in central Illinois treats several cases of heartworm infection each year, and it's not pleasant, let alone safe for the dog. Also, my cats are indoor cats and they've still gotten fleas from house mice, and tapeworms from fleas. If you just wanted to say you haven't had any problems with heartworms after never treating your dog, let me just say you should consider yourself lucky. (See attached heartworm incidence map. The rates are given as number of cases PER CLINIC.)

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Furmom

Hello! I am well informed and aware of the dangers of heartworm and preventives. I could go on and on with facts and evidence to support my opinion, but with all due respect I am not. I am in no way, shape or form "seeking affirmation" or "trying to convince" anyone to do anything. I only stated my experience and nothing more.

Well I would be interested because some of your facts already have been wrong so you might be believeing something not true.

[pstinard]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Well I would be interested because some of your facts already have been wrong so you might be believeing something not true.

I was going to let sleeping dogs lie, but here is a link to an excellent article by Dr. Brennen McKenzie (aka the Skeptvet) on natural heartworm remedies. Epidemiology is one of his areas of expertise... : There is no “Natural” or “Holistic” Heartworm Prevention or Treatment Proven to be Safe and Effective | The SkeptVet

Selected quotes:

Heartworm disease is a parasitic infestation transmitted from infected dogs (or other animals) to uninfected individuals by specific kinds of mosquitos. It is, of course, most common in areas that have both a reservoir of infected hosts and a population of the right kind of mosquitos. In the U.S., heartworm disease is quite common in warm, humid regions, and transmission often varies seasonally with the mosquito population. Heartworms can cause devastating, often fatal disease.

Fortunately, there are safe and effective medicines to prevent heartworm infestation. While all medications have risks as well as benefits, the risks of these preventatives are well understood and very, very small. Certainly, in areas where heartworm disease is endemic, the risk of preventatives pales in comparison to the risk of the disease. So despite the often hysterical nonsense about these “chemicals” and “insecticides,” the real facts are clear: heartworm prevention is safe and effective and far better for your pet than getting heartworm disease.

If your dog is unfortunate enough to become infected with heartworms, there are effective treatments. The risk of treatment is, however, significantly higher than the risk of prevention, though in most cases still far less than the risk of leaving the disease untreated. The American Heartworm Society (AHS) has a thorough discussion of the pros and cons of different treatment options, and working with your veterinarian you can almost certainly cure this disease and minimize the risks of treatment.

The AHS is also very clear about alternative therapies for this disease: “No “natural” or herbal therapies have been shown to be safe and effective prevention or treatment for heartworm disease.” And fortunately, many proponents of alternative therapies also recognize that no CAM therapies have been shown safe and effective for preventing or treating this disease. The most popular veterinary herbal medicine textbook states, “The authors do not recommend substituting an unproven herbal formula for effective conventional therapy.” Even as radical a proponent of alternative therapies as Dr. Karen Becker at mercola.com grudgingly agrees that,“treatment for heartworm infection is one area where conventional veterinary medicine offers valuable options [and] is preferable to leaving the dog untreated, or using unproven, alternative methods that may have no effect or even be harmful.”

Unfortunately, there are still plenty of unscrupulous companies, and sadly even veterinarians, willing to exaggerate the risks of conventional prevention and treatment and claim that unproven alternatives are safe and effective.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Furmom

All the best wishes to you. My cat will be 19 this year and she's never had heartworm and my Yorkies will not get it. I use preventative just in a natural form. I'm not on here to tell anyone what to do with their loved babies. ❤️

Amazing that your yorkies are literally guaranteed to not get it. We usually can't provide guarantees like that when it comes to immune systems.

What is the preventive you're using? Where purchased? Dosage? Strength?

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by pstinard

I was going to let sleeping dogs lie, but here is a link to an excellent article by Dr. Brennen McKenzie (aka the Skeptvet) on natural heartworm remedies. Epidemiology is one of his areas of expertise... : There is no “Natural” or “Holistic” Heartworm Prevention or Treatment Proven to be Safe and Effective | The SkeptVet

Selected quotes:

I was really worried about others who might read the post and get bad info so thanks for sharing this.

[Furmom]

Thanks for the info @PsTinaARD and input @Wylie's Mom.