Very sad. I agree with Nancy though. I'm much more concerned about what owners are going to do with this information than I am about Merial. We don't know that it happened for sure. And still if it did, Merial's products are pretty darn trusted among vets even if some don't like the company.
If this did happen, it is by no means acceptable. It's also not okay to throw the Heartgard away, esp. if it's not being replaced with something.
No drug is 100% effective. Most or all heartworm drugs have lack of effectiveness reports against them on the FDA's site. It seems to be the thing reported most.
We'll all have to do what we and our vets feel is best during this time (esp. for those who use Heartgard). This information would not stop me from using it. That said, I don't use it. I use Novartis products for heartworm.
BTW, Immiticide (arsenic compound to treat heartworms) is also made by Merial (and only Merial). IMO, it would be very difficult to get away from all of their products. And also, they would pay for treatment if a vet can show that heartworm tests were done yearly and meds were given year-round, I think.
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