Heartworms and flea meds - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

kalina82 · 04-29-2009, 05:27 PM

Science diet is a horrible food. Vet recommend it because they honestly don't know much about nutrition. They do NOT get a kick back. I've worked with numerous vets as a tech and not one of them got anything back from Hills, i don't know why people like to think this. i guess everyone needs justification but whatever.

As for the flea meds, i do not know why your vet gave you advantage when he could have given you Frontline top spot instead, which does not have a weight minimum for use. The puppy just needs to be older then 8 weeks. However since our dogs are so small we typically do not give the entire tube. I, like many on here, will split the tube in half.

I think all heartworm pills, however, need to be given to a dog over 2lbs (not sure about heartgard). So just wait to use that, since your puppy won't be outside as much while she is this young and doesn't have all her shots.

mscat · 04-29-2009, 05:28 PM

It is common for vet office's to have free samples of Science Diet in their place.. They are not trained in this area> Someone did give you a link to the prem. foods and it is great. I did not know about S.D. being a bad food either unitil being on YT for a while. tHere are so many higher quality foods to choose from !
Definately wait on the flea prevention meds. She is too tiny for them, and I would not take any chances . IMO.

lovespandp · 04-29-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalina82

Science diet is a horrible food. Vet recommend it because they honestly don't know much about nutrition. They do NOT get a kick back. I've worked with numerous vets as a tech and not one of them got anything back from Hills, i don't know why people like to think this. i guess everyone needs justification but whatever.

As for the flea meds, i do not know why your vet gave you advantage when he could have given you Frontline top spot instead, which does not have a weight minimum for use. The puppy just needs to be older then 8 weeks. However since our dogs are so small we typically do not give the entire tube. I, like many on here, will split the tube in half.

I think all heartworm pills, however, need to be given to a dog over 2lbs (not sure about heartgard). So just wait to use that, since your puppy won't be outside as much while she is this young and doesn't have all her shots.

Science Diet dog food provides scholarships to young vets going through school, in return if they happen to open there own vet office that have to sell the food and they get a kick back...So this is why they push this food.

AshSavalle · 05-04-2009, 07:21 AM

Definitely wait on the medication. Our vet gave us Advantage plus. We also have to wait for Pippo to reach 3lbs. Our vet said to wait until he is 3lbs as well. He is just over 4months now and is still not 3lbs. I am about to look into a different medication, we need to start the potty training!!
I have also heard that Wellness is a wonderful food, I was going to use that!

Lexismom09 · 05-04-2009, 07:34 AM

Years back I had my Standard Poodle on Science Diet, recommended by the vet. She could not eat anything else! Someone then told me there is something in Science Diet that makes your dog "addicted to it". Some sort of chemical.??
Anyway I do not know if that is true. But we did switch her to something else and it took many weeks of gradual change for her tummy to switch over.
She never had stomach problems again! But I am no expert just telling you my experience with Science Diet, and I would never use it again.
I use Wellness puppy canned (very small amount)and EVO dry, small bites.
Lexi is a very pickey eater and this combination works great for us. Now that she is spayed I can wean her off the canned puppy and we are set with a good dry kibble.

04-29-2009, 05:27 PM	#16
kalina82 Phantom Queen Morrigan Donating Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: with my yorkie baby Posts: 10,141 Blog Entries: 1	Science diet is a horrible food. Vet recommend it because they honestly don't know much about nutrition. They do NOT get a kick back. I've worked with numerous vets as a tech and not one of them got anything back from Hills, i don't know why people like to think this. i guess everyone needs justification but whatever. As for the flea meds, i do not know why your vet gave you advantage when he could have given you Frontline top spot instead, which does not have a weight minimum for use. The puppy just needs to be older then 8 weeks. However since our dogs are so small we typically do not give the entire tube. I, like many on here, will split the tube in half. I think all heartworm pills, however, need to be given to a dog over 2lbs (not sure about heartgard). So just wait to use that, since your puppy won't be outside as much while she is this young and doesn't have all her shots. __________________ Kellie and Morgan

04-29-2009, 05:28 PM	#17
mscat YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hanford, CA Posts: 4,895	It is common for vet office's to have free samples of Science Diet in their place.. They are not trained in this area> Someone did give you a link to the prem. foods and it is great. I did not know about S.D. being a bad food either unitil being on YT for a while. tHere are so many higher quality foods to choose from ! Definately wait on the flea prevention meds. She is too tiny for them, and I would not take any chances . IMO. __________________ "No matter how little money & how few possessions, you own, having a dog makes you rich."

05-04-2009, 07:21 AM	#19
AshSavalle Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 263	Definitely wait on the medication. Our vet gave us Advantage plus. We also have to wait for Pippo to reach 3lbs. Our vet said to wait until he is 3lbs as well. He is just over 4months now and is still not 3lbs. I am about to look into a different medication, we need to start the potty training!! I have also heard that Wellness is a wonderful food, I was going to use that! __________________ Proud mommy of TeddyPippo Pina Buddy and Sonny

05-04-2009, 07:34 AM	#20
Lexismom09 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 219	Years back I had my Standard Poodle on Science Diet, recommended by the vet. She could not eat anything else! Someone then told me there is something in Science Diet that makes your dog "addicted to it". Some sort of chemical.?? Anyway I do not know if that is true. But we did switch her to something else and it took many weeks of gradual change for her tummy to switch over. She never had stomach problems again! But I am no expert just telling you my experience with Science Diet, and I would never use it again. I use Wellness puppy canned (very small amount)and EVO dry, small bites. Lexi is a very pickey eater and this combination works great for us. Now that she is spayed I can wean her off the canned puppy and we are set with a good dry kibble.