Interceptor - prescription medicine..

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by chloe-mom

I just bought a 6 month supply at my vet for 34.00. I'm going to check online prices to try to get cheaper.

Foster's & Smith & Revivalanimal.com are cheaper. And if memory serves me correctly, one doesn't charge shipping.

[chloe-mom]

Originally Posted by PiePiper

Piper is on Interceptor 2-10lb. I just bought a 6 month supply from my vet last week and paid $19.

Wow that is cheap. Way cheaper than the online prices i've found.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by chloe-mom

Wow that is cheap. Way cheaper than the online prices i've found.

They've doubled in price over the last couple of years. Use to get a years supply for 24 dollars.

[Ladymom]

This is a map of incidences of heartworm around the country for the past several years:

American Heartworm Society | Downloadable Graphics

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by mnsweeps

When I went for Sprinkles microchipping the lady at the reception mentioned that the Vet has recommended Interceptor for my puppy. At that time I thought they just want to rip me off and said I will call later for that.

My question is , is it mandatory to have this heartworm prevention medicine just to be on safe side? If i go back to vet she will charge me $50 just to write this prescription medicine. Instead can I get it from a pound or a shelter?

Thanks

I've never used any type of harsh chemicals on my dogs and they have never had a flea, tick or heartworms. I take the holistic approach to all things and find it not only works best, but there are no terrible side affect's. Natural "real" food diet also seems to help keep insects off of them. I also add whole garlic to their rice while cooking it and discard it when the rice is done. The oils from the garlic really help in more ways than one. Here are some things you could do. Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia - Ticks, fleas, bees, flies, snakes and other gremlins! And how to deal with them!

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

I've never used any type of harsh chemicals on my dogs and they have never had a flea, tick or heartworms. I take the holistic approach to all things and find it not only works best, but there are no terrible side affect's. Natural "real" food diet also seems to help keep insects off of them. I also add whole garlic to their rice while cooking it and discard it when the rice is done. The oils from the garlic really help in more ways than one. Here are some things you could do. Chinaroad Lowchens of Australia - Ticks, fleas, bees, flies, snakes and other gremlins! And how to deal with them!

While I don't believe in harsh chemicals on my dogs either, heartworm is something one shouldn't mess around with.

I have a friend that lives in Texas and went the holistic route and both of her of her dogs ended up with heartworm. Not something you mess with in mosquito country. We're lucky and live in California, where we have a mosquito abatement, where the state sprays for them. So heartworm is not a problem here.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

While I don't believe in harsh chemicals on my dogs either, heartworm is something one shouldn't mess around with.

I have a friend that lives in Texas and went the holistic route and both of her of her dogs ended up with heartworm. Not something you mess with in mosquito country. We're lucky and live in California, where we have a mosquito abatement, where the state sprays for them. So heartworm is not a problem here.

Your so right, but wondering what your friend used. Did she go to an holistic Vet. ?

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Your so right, but wondering what your friend used. Did she go to an holistic Vet. ?

Yes, and she is a breeder. Both girls were Champions and their breeding career was over, before it started. Both exceptional representations of the breed. Texas is a hotbed for heartworm, as most southern states are. I hated using poisons, but the alternative is not pretty.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Mardelin

While I don't believe in harsh chemicals on my dogs either, heartworm is something one shouldn't mess around with.

I have a friend that lives in Texas and went the holistic route and both of her of her dogs ended up with heartworm. Not something you mess with in mosquito country. We're lucky and live in California, where we have a mosquito abatement, where the state sprays for them. So heartworm is not a problem here.

I agree with this. I hope people err on the side of great caution, when it comes to heartworm.

Take where I live, for example - I live in Phoenix, Arizona - one of the most arid/dry areas I know of. It's the desert, after all. I give heartworm prevention year-round here (Interceptor).

Some people may think there would be little reason to give it here, since it's not a hotbed for mosquitoes. However, we found a stray, gorgeous, purebred, female lab in our neighborhood about a year ago - tried to find owner etc; could not figure out why anyone would abandon this beautiful, calm, trained girl (about 1 - 1.5 yr old). Well, finally...it was determined she had heartworm...so I think that's why someone let her go. They didn't want to spend the $ on treating her. She went through the arsenic treatment, which is very painful, and is recovered now.

It reaffirmed to me that it was the right thing to do to give heartworm prevention.

Oh also, keep in mind that in dry, warm climates - there are often more swimming pools. Which means there are neglected pools (aka 'green pools') - and these are a breeding machine for mosquitoes. So, even when you think "oh, it's a dry climate" - there are still places for mosquitoes to breed like crazy.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I agree with this. I hope people err on the side of great caution, when it comes to heartworm.

Take where I live, for example - I live in Phoenix, Arizona - one of the most arid/dry areas I know of. It's the desert, after all. I give heartworm prevention year-round here (Interceptor).

Some people may think there would be little reason to give it here, since it's not a hotbed for mosquitoes. However, we found a stray, gorgeous, purebred, female lab in our neighborhood about a year ago - tried to find owner etc; could not figure out why anyone would abandon this beautiful, calm, trained girl (about 1 - 1.5 yr old). Well, finally...it was determined she had heartworm...so I think that's why someone let her go. They didn't want to spend the $ on treating her. She went through the arsenic treatment, which is very painful, and is recovered now.

It reaffirmed to me that it was the right thing to do to give heartworm prevention.

Oh also, keep in mind that in dry, warm climates - there are often more swimming pools. Which means there are neglected pools (aka 'green pools') - and these are a breeding machine for mosquitoes. So, even when you think "oh, it's a dry climate" - there are still places for mosquitoes to breed like crazy.

Also, keep in mind heartworm prevention also takes care of internal parasites/worms. And if one takes their dogs to public places your dogs can pick these up too.