I just want to 'thumbs up' a few things Linda mentioned --

- I would not, under *any* circumstances discontinue heartworm prevention. I'm a minimalist when it comes to vaccines, meds, whatever. I would not mess with heartworm prevention. Not worth the risk, trust us!

- Hills Rx food is an excellent for many dogs who need a very specific diet - it can be life saving and/or life altering in terms of diet and symptom treatment.

- Tylan. I did try Tylan for Marcel when he was a puppy; it didn't do much. But it does help some dogs; if you try it, just try to buy the smallest amount possible in case it doesn't work.

Your vet probably has it...or certainly can get it. It is available in liquid form...for oral or injectible use. You must be VERY careful with it though...the dosage is extremely small and you do not want to give too much! I don't know about that place you mentioned or if these tablets are ok. Again, ask your vet!

I have been involved in yorkie rescue since 2005. I also have multiple pups of my own and many have had medical issues. I also have a medical background so that does help. Unfortunately our breed is having more and more genetic issues and I have seen every one of them not to mention other stuff. I also have had more pups with torn cruciate ligaments than I can count. I seem to be a magnet .. but, my vet says it is because I look for things. I am pro vet and strongly believe in at a minimum, yearly exams and blood work. You can often pick up things before they become a major problem. For example, protein losing nephropathy, is a condition we are seeing in a lot of yorkies ... if you don't do urine and blood testing on a routine basis, by the time you know they have it, they are usually in the end stages. I also strongly believe in prevention ... as they say "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" (which is why I am strongly advising heartworm prevention) :)

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Thanks Wylie's Mom for your input. I'm finding the manufacturer of Heartgard (Ivermectin) tablets for dogs up to 25 lbs. are out of stock and on back order, so I guess if I am to resume heartworm preventative, I have to use my Interceptor. I will see if I can speak to the Vet today (Sun.) for advice.

Lynn (Yorkiegirrl123)

Heartgard (the regular Heartgard, not Heartgard Plus) is a very common medication and should be available from your vet. If not, there are other online pharmacies that carry it, such as PetMeds (https://www.1800petmeds.com/Dog+Hear...rod368151.html) or Drs. Foster and Smith (https://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...m?pcatid=10455
).

Phil, she doesn't want Heartgard. She found a site that has tablets that someone compounds. I had not heard of that before but I guess possible?

I guess there is some confusion here. Heartgard makes a chewable AND a tablet. The tablet (straight Ivermectin) is formulated for dogs with food allergies because they make it with no flavorings, etc. This product (for dogs up to 25 lbs.) is unavailable on ANY vet pharmacy site, but IS available for larger weight dogs.

I wrote to my regular vet and he still wants her off her Interceptor for a few more weeks until her stomach issues are under control. Then he said he will potentially give straight (oral) Ivermectin in a few weeks. I wonder if he knows you can't purchase it due to manufacturer (Merial) not producing the tablet for her weight range. The chews are available but have additives.

After reading everyone's post about not stopping heartworm meds, I wanted to give her the August dose of Interceptor since I have it here, but it expires on 8/10/18, and basically that's not going to work now. What a dilemma.

Oh, I missed the part where you wanted the pill form, not the chewable. Could you ask the vet about using a pill cutter on a larger dose pill to get the correct dosage for your dog? Looking at the ValleyVet page (https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail....1-77C1EAC6DE18), it looks like the pill for dogs under 25 pounds contains exactly half the amount of ivermectin as the pill for dogs 25 to 50 pounds. A pill cutter could work if the ivermectin is even distributed in the pill.

Thanks Phil for your input too. The Vet has the ability to have Ivermectin formulated without additives just like the Heartgard tablet but in a capsule form. So I guess that was what he was referring to.
Lynn

How is Melody doing today with her food? Do hope she is doing well!

Yes, thank heavens she is doing much better. Eating what I give her and asking for more. Giving her 5 to 6 small mini meals of her R.C. L. F. canned so not to tax her digestive system. She likes the cherry flavored B-12 drops and doesn't even notice the Tylan powder.
Thanks for asking.
Lynn

Oh, that is great news!!

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