And this:


Merial closer to restoring full supply of Immiticide

http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb11/110201k.asp

This is interesting (wonder if it has anything to do with delay of tx): From:
American Heartworm Society | Canine Guidelines
ADULTICIDE THERAPY

Melarsomine Dihydrochloride
Melarsomine, administered via deep intramuscular injection into the belly of the epaxial lumbar muscles, is the only adulticidal drug approved by the FDA for heartworm treatment. Mild swelling and some soreness at the injection site may be present for a few days, but this can be minimized by ensuring that the injection is deposited deeply with a needle of appropriate length and gauge for the size of dog and body condition. Strictly adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions for administration is imperative. Exercise restriction during the recovery period is essential for minimizing cardiopulmonary complications (see Pulmonary Thromboembolism).
Melarsomine has not been shown to have any activity against worms less than 4 months old. The two-injection protocol (i.e., two injections of 2.5 mg/kg body weight 24 hours apart) listed on the product insert for treating class 1 & 2 heartworm disease kills only about 90% of the adult worms. The three-dose alternate protocol (one injection of 2.5 mg/kg b. wt. followed at least one month later by two injections of the same dose 24 hours apart) listed for treating class 3 heartworm disease kills 98% of the worms. These overall efficacy values reflect the percentage of worms killed in groups of dogs and not the percentage of dogs cleared of worms, which are considerably lower than these overall efficacy values.
Staging of the disease and use of the two-injection protocol has failed to adequately ensure treatment success. Therefore, regardless of the stage of the disease, the three-injection alternative protocol is the treatment of choice of the American Heartworm Society and several university teaching hospitals, due to the increased safety and efficacy benefits and decreased possibility that further treatment with melarsomine would be necessary. Furthermore, by initially killing fewer worms and completing the treatment in two stages, the cumulative impact of worm emboli on severely diseased pulmonary arteries and lungs is reduced.

Thanks Kathy, that helps put some things into perspective.

Based upon my GP's advice we are going to go with OVC so Zoey will be on heartworm meds, until Sept (their tx protocol) and then she will get the adulticide treatment. And of course back onto the adulticide

Just wondering about your girl. Was reading that Merial is stopping production of Immiticide for some time. Do they actually have what they need for her yet?

Certainly not at VEC in Toronto, and last I followed up with them about 2wks ago, they did not even know why it was on back order.

I will call OVC this week and try to see if they have it in stock. I hope I kept Alison's extension number:(

From what I gather (unless it's different in CA), they are sending out what is left to let vets finish up the patients that they already started treating. Their supply is depleting and they will let it while working out problems. So I'd see if anybody can get it in STAT. If nobody can, I'm not sure they will be able to anytime soon.

The AHS's unofficial stance is to do doxy and monthly preventative (pretty much slow kill because there are no other options). I really hope for your girl's sake it is different in CA than in the US. OVS might have some on hand.

Good news! :thumbup::thumbup:

That is frustrating :( I just wanted you to know I'm thinking about Zoey!

Thanks Brit I appreciate that.

Please send a bit of a prayer up for Zoey
 

Tomorrow, Zoey goes into the hospital for her adulticide treatment, she will spend one night overnight, and I get to pick her up on Thursday.

She is in good health overall, but of course I can't help but worry a bit.

I'm so sorry that you and Zoey have to go through this, Gail. I'm relieved that, with your research, persistence, and devotion to Zoey, that she has and will continue to be given the very best of care to fight her heartworm. She is a strong, healthy, and beautiful girl, and she is going to happily come back home to you after her treatment. Your family will be in my thoughts, prayers, and heart.

Sending prayers for Zoey that her treatment goes well and that she will come home on Thursday.

Thanks Kristin and Lisa. Just back from dropping off Zoey. She went easily into the back area.....and now the wait.

They said they would call me later on today, to give an update on how she is doing.

Prayers for Zoey. I am sure she will be fine. :)

Zoey is resting comfortably, but there is a major thunderstorm going through here, and she hates the sound of thunder. OH dear.

Tomorrow I should be able to pick her up

I hope Zoey comes home and is back with her loving family today. It must have been so lonely for everyone without her. I'm praying for an easy time keeping your girl quiet and crated so that she can get better very soon.

Prayers and well wishes for Zoey.

Hope she gets well soon and the others are negative. Don't blame hubby too much. With everything we have going on in our lives it's easy to overlook things sometimes. I'm sure it was not intentional. While most thoughts are for the dogs health I notice your post is the anger towards him forgetting but this is obviously part "your" dog since you post about her. So you forgot as well. Not finger pointing but he's not 100% responsible. Don't waste time with anger, focus on getting her better and then not repeating the mistake. Isn't that what we preach when training our dogs? Don't have anger and hate, just clean up the mess and repeat the training and positive reinforcement.

Zoey is home
 

:D:D Everyone is very happy to have Zoey home. She was a good girl for the docs and assistants.

Crate rest, no running, no jumping for a couple of wks. She can walk on lead for a very short distance starting Monday.

We have some pain killers for her, and some stomach settler (can't remember the names right now).

She goes back in prox 6wks for her repeat treatment.

Thanks for all the well wishes!

Continued prayers for Zoey. Glad that part of it is now out of the way.

Very glad Zoey is doing well with the first round of treatment and that she is home, resting comfortably. She remains in my prayers. :)

I hope Zoey is resting comfortably, pain-free, and peacefully now that she is home with her family that loves her. I hope you are able to rest more peacefully, too. I'm so relieved that things went well and that your beautiful girl is home where she belongs. Zoey and her family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts and prayers are still with Zoey. It must be challenging to keep your "Miss Houdini" from escaping her crate, but I know you will do everything possible to get Zoey well. I hope your little girl feels better each day and that you are all able to tolerate her crate rest.

Thanks Lisa. Yes she is a challenging one. We've just now crated the boys, and are letting her lie in the garden room with us (the door is closed) so not too much space for her to jump or run in at all.

Kristin and Linda thanks so much for your thoughts. Dog dang it I thought I had the multi quote thing figured out; but I guess not. sigh
Our tests were all approved so we will be starting with CERF and OFA Patellar Luxation
as our Required Tests. Our Optional but Suggested Tests are OFA Hip Dysplasia,
OFA Legg Perthes (minimum of 12 months), Thyroid and Cornell DNA Bank (blood).

So glad to be hearing this... I thought it would take much longer to get the drug.... you all are always in my thoughts and prayers....

Sending prayers and good thoughts for your Zoey.

I know Zoey is feeling better now that she is at home with her family. Sending prayers and positive thoughts for her continued improvement.

I'm glad Zoey is doing better. It's a long road, isn't it?

Yes a long, expensive and worrisome road. But it is now wk 2 after the adulticide treatment and she is doing really well as far as I can tell.

Escaping her crate, and I am out of bungee cord solutions; I will need to invest in a new crate for her. She hasn't escaped from Magic's crate which is a different manufacturer with different latching mechanisms.

I am so glad to hear you furry Houdini is doing really well.