Partial Quote
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeanieK  Three studies used a protocol of ivermectin (Heartgard) given weekly at the normal monthly heartworm preventative dose (6 mcg/kg), combined with doxycycline at the rate of 10 mg/kg/day for weeks 1-6, 10-11, 16-17, 22-25, and 28-33 (the end of the studies). The findings show these results:
Reduction of adult worms was as follows:
• 8.7% for Doxycycline only
• 20.3% for Ivermectin only
• 78.3% for Ivermectin + Doxcycline
• 92.8% for Ivermectin + Doxycycline + Immiticide
• 100% for Immiticide alone |
Interesting info, Jeanie. I wanted to comment on the part quoted.
This is not to dispute the info, but I've read of using several variations of treatment. The rate of killing the heartworms varies but all seem effective. It seems to depend on how long a person will accept their dog being heartworm positive, but the faster the kill, the more risk to the dog.
Immiticide is the standard vet treatment. It kills very quickly but the fast kill can cause pulmonary embolisms (hope that's correct) and the dog must be kept confined for the entire period of treatment.
Ivermectin alone is what I've seen the most about. The amount and frequency of dosage will determine the kill rate. Using ivermection in only the preventative dose monthly will kill heartworms, but it can take up to 2 years of the dog showing positive for them. It doesn't actually kill them, but kills the larvae so puts a stop to the infestation. It also will render the adult worms unable to reproduce and will shorten the life span of them. The dog will flush them out slowly and has much less risk of effects from expelling them than with a faster kill. Using ivermection is the first step in the standard vet protocol, too, in order to kill the larvae.
One other thing I found interesting in your post was the questioning of these (heartworm) parasites becoming resistant. I have recently been reading about how some recommend switching de-wormers periodically to avoid resistance by those (roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm) parasites. There is a little info out there if you google something like 'rotating de-wormers in dogs'.