Quote:
Originally Posted by MissTinkerbelle  Is Heartguard and Interceptor the same?
If my dog was on Hearguard, but Interceptor was a better price, can I switch or should I stay on Heartguard.
Also, who uses something for heartworm and something for fleas and ticks?
My dad, and other people I know will NOT give their dogs this because they say it is poison to their systems.
What do y'all think? |
This is one of those questions that have opinions from both ends of the scale....I for one am on the side of "no heartworm" treatment...I don't like calling it "medication" because it is an insecticide, which
is a poison.....
I refuse to use this type of product for a couple of reasons....as stated before it is a poison. I have to weigh the risk to benefit ratio and I just can't justify putting this on my dog and having it in his system day after day for years at a time hoping ( to justify the use) that a mosquito
might bite my dog and
that mosquito
might be carrying the larvae for heartworm.
Revolution was only tested for anywhere from 3 days to 10 months before it was approved for use. It was only tested to see if it killed the larvae. It was
not tested for long term side effects.
Advantage Duo was only tested for 5 months. There where no long term tests for side effects from repetitive use with this product either.
This was copied from a holistic site:
The potential side effects of Ivermectin (the active ingredient in Heartgard) include liver problems, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, skin eruptions, seizures, tremors, paralysis, autoimmune disorders, thyroid problems, fever, weakness, dizziness, coughing, nose bleeds, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, irritability, sudden aggressive behavior, nerve damage, fertility problems, and sudden death. The drug poses a particular risk to Collies and related breeds. Other chemical heartworm preventatives have many of the same side effects. In his book "The Nature of Animal Healing", Dr. Martin Goldstein states that he believes that much of the cancer and liver disease we see in dogs today is the result of years of treatment with heartworm preventatives. 98% of the dogs in his NY practice (including of course his own dogs) aren't on any heartworm preventative.
It makes no sense to me to use these products when there
are alternatives, like sprays, to keep mosquitoes away and off your pet, like this....
Happytails Flea the Scene Insect Spray with Sunscreen: PL50029_Happytails_Spa_Flea_The_Scene Paw Luxury
You can also use "Organic Apple Cider Vinegar" in your dog's water or food may be useful at making your dog smell less tasty to mosquitos. Don't use apple cider vinegar (ACV) if you are using plastic, aluminum, or galvanized watering containers as the ACV will leach the plasticizers out of the plastic and the metals out of aluminum or galvanized containers.
Keep your dog indoors during heavy mosquito hours at dawn and dusk. Mosquitoes are usually sleeping by 11:00 pm.
Small amounts of raw garlic in your dog's daily food can help make them less tasty to mosquitoes.
Do a heartworm test once or twice a year.
Each of us have to decide what we will put "on/ in" our pets, we all have to make a judgment call on what risks we are willing to take. We have to decide how "at risk" are we
actually are at, or are we operating on exaggerated fears. Where we live also has to be factored in. I live in the north so I feel I'm at less of a risk than someone in Florida because of the winter months.....I also don't understand why this product is being used during the winter months in the northern states when the risk is near zero for contracting heartworm.
I feel this is a very potent insecticide and it shouldn't be given so lightly as if it has no risks, it does have real and potentiality dangerous risks.
Here's a heartworm map....
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/down...cidencemap.jpg
This is a decision only you can make.....Good luck.....P.S. Sorry this is so long, it just seemed too important to just add one or two sentences. lol