Any thoughts please.... - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

LindaBedilia · 03-17-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Tea tree oil can be very dangerous if licked.

The common heartworm medications do not contain arsenic, but yes they are poison. The treatment is injections of an arsenic derivative. It is given IM deep in the back and is extremely painful. Movement has to be restricted so the dying worms don't cut off oxygen supply, etc. My girl is liver compromised and I still don't let her go without it. To each their own, but in my opinion it is not optional.

Although they aren't as bad in the western US and it may be optional there...

Thanks for letting me know about tea tree oil, I dilute it quite a bit, but won't put it on any more. It was suggested to me by a friend, so thanks again.

Ellie May · 03-17-2010, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaBedilia

Thanks for letting me know about tea tree oil, I dilute it quite a bit, but won't put it on any more. It was suggested to me by a friend, so thanks again.

Well, it's something I've heard rumors about and such. Not a chance that I'd take, but many people seem to like it. So to each their own.

It is in many dog shampoos.

kate07 · 03-17-2010, 06:35 PM

I just got from my vets office the Heartguard Plus (Ivermectin/Pyrantel) chewable for small dogs under 25 lbs. My girl is 3 months old and 2 pounds 1 oz. The chewable pill is kind of big in my opinion. Too big for my little girl to handle in one bite. I broke the pill into 4 pieces. She only ate 2 or a half of the pill. I tried over and over again to give her the rest, but she wouldn't take it - I'd put it in her mouth and she'd spit it right out. Not sure how to get her to take the entire thing?? Being so small I wouldn't think she would need to take the entire pill, but the directions said to make sure they take the entire thing or you have to restart the dose....

Mardelin · 03-17-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay-Bay

For the past two months, when I give Bailey her heartworm pill, it's not long afterwards that she gets sick and vomits. She only weighs 3 pounds, so I wonder if it is just too strong for her little system, even though it's for small dogs. Any thoughts?? Thanks

Are you feeding her prior to the heartworm med. Giving on an empty stomach can cause the reaction you're getting.

You haven't mentioned what brand you are getting. Intercepter is packaged closer to weight and does have a puppy strength....you may want to discuss this with your vet.

I see you live in Oklahoma.....mosquitoes are rampid there....

Ellie May · 03-17-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kate07

I just got from my vets office the Heartguard Plus (Ivermectin/Pyrantel) chewable for small dogs under 25 lbs. My girl is 3 months old and 2 pounds 1 oz. The chewable pill is kind of big in my opinion. Too big for my little girl to handle in one bite. I broke the pill into 4 pieces. She only ate 2 or a half of the pill. I tried over and over again to give her the rest, but she wouldn't take it - I'd put it in her mouth and she'd spit it right out. Not sure how to get her to take the entire thing?? Being so small I wouldn't think she would need to take the entire pill, but the directions said to make sure they take the entire thing or you have to restart the dose....

I personally would just let it go for this month since it is very unlikely that a dog her age would get heartworms. Apparently there is still a chance though. Breaking it up is fine as long as she will take it all. If she won't, you can get the plain Heartgard pills and pill her that way. You could also use Interceptor.

Bay-Bay · 03-18-2010, 02:03 PM

Thanks for all the help!! Bailey is on Heartgard, and I spoke to her vet who said that even though it's the smallest dose that they come in, we are going to just start giving her half of one, instead of a whole. The vet said that at only 3 pounds, it is probably just too strong. But he firmly urges me to keep her on it because we do have quite a bug problem here in Oklahoma during the summer.

Ellie May · 03-18-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay-Bay

Thanks for all the help!! Bailey is on Heartgard, and I spoke to her vet who said that even though it's the smallest dose that they come in, we are going to just start giving her half of one, instead of a whole. The vet said that at only 3 pounds, it is probably just too strong. But he firmly urges me to keep her on it because we do have quite a bug problem here in Oklahoma during the summer.

If the chew is split, she could be getting the whole dose of drug one month and none the next. Any way you can try Interceptor? It seems that small dogs do really well with it.

Bay-Bay · 03-18-2010, 02:17 PM

I think you're right Ellie May, there is no way that I would know whether she was getting a small dose or large dose. I will look into the Interceptor brand, I just hate it when my poor little girl gets sick over anything!!

Ellie May · 03-18-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay-Bay

I think you're right Ellie May, there is no way that I would know whether she was getting a small dose or large dose. I will look into the Interceptor brand, I just hate it when my poor little girl gets sick over anything!!

The major concern would be that there is really no room for inaccurate dosing in a state like OK. She may do very well on Interceptor. Mine does well with it and she has lots of health issues.

Bay-Bay · 03-18-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

The major concern would be that there is really no room for inaccurate dosing in a state like OK. She may do very well on Interceptor. Mine does well with it and she has lots of health issues.

You are so right...and we love to go to the lake almost every weekend, Bailey is quite the little swimmer, she loves the lake...anyways, it would be too dangerous for her not to be on something for heartworms and get the correct dosage.

PrincessDiana · 03-18-2010, 04:24 PM

We're from OK too! Norman here.

We NEVER skip heartworm preventative. Because it hardly ever freezes here, the mosquitoes sometimes don't die and can be a problem year round. I recently did a presentation in my Parasitology class over heartworms and they are yucky! It can take up to 6 months for a dog to test positive for heartworms and by then it's too late. The treatment for heartworms is dangerous and expensive. I just wouldn't risk it. We give Interceptor and while our Yorkies are bigger, they do well on it. It has the lower 0-10lb dosage which might help.

LuvMySissy · 03-18-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

The major concern would be that there is really no room for inaccurate dosing in a state like OK. She may do very well on Interceptor. Mine does well with it and she has lots of health issues.

We use Interceptor with no problems at all and I also have one with many health issues.

Heartworm prevention is the only thing I do regularly. I would not skip a month even though we are in an area that gets cold winters and lots of snow, as you can always find an errant mosquito. And my girls are indoor pottiers only. My vet also recommends heartworm prevention for indoor cats as there have been lots of indoor animals dying from heartworm in our area.

Heartguard is a heartworm prevention that has a very high incidence of reactions. My vet also concurred that you cannot cut the dose in 1/2 as it is not spread evenly throughout - so the up to 25 lbs is the smallest dose available.........

RoxyLuv · 03-18-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bay-Bay

For the past two months, when I give Bailey her heartworm pill, it's not long afterwards that she gets sick and vomits. She only weighs 3 pounds, so I wonder if it is just too strong for her little system, even though it's for small dogs. Any thoughts?? Thanks

Roxy did the same thing at first. She hadn't eaten yet that day. Now I make sure she gets if when she has food in her stomach. No problem since.

lillymae · 03-18-2010, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaBedilia

I just mentioned what I do because there is no heartworm where I live and hasn't been - we don't have many bugs where I live - so as a prevention in the summer I just spray a light mist of tea tree oil on my babies. But I know places like Texas, Arizona, etc. in the States have a lot of cases - so take your Vets advice and ask her to lower the dose - it may be too high

Be very careful as tea tree oil can be deadly to your dog if ingested.

kionini · 03-19-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I have seen this recommendation by vets before, but the medication is unevenly injected into the chew. One month your pups could be getting the full dose and the next month they could be getting nothing. You can call Merial to confirm. I know it's frustrating. I hate giving the whole Interceptor to Ellie, but I haven't found a way around it yet.

and what the vet told me about the chewable. Nicky got sick on it, so we switched him to 'Interceptor' Though Nicky hasn't gotten sick with it (I mean immediately after giving it) I still hate it as well, and like you, I haven't found a way around it either

03-18-2010, 02:03 PM	#21
Bay-Bay Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lindsay, Oklahoma Posts: 158	Thanks for all the help!! Bailey is on Heartgard, and I spoke to her vet who said that even though it's the smallest dose that they come in, we are going to just start giving her half of one, instead of a whole. The vet said that at only 3 pounds, it is probably just too strong. But he firmly urges me to keep her on it because we do have quite a bug problem here in Oklahoma during the summer. __________________ -Teresa- lovingly owned heart & soul by Bailey

03-18-2010, 02:17 PM	#23
Bay-Bay Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lindsay, Oklahoma Posts: 158	I think you're right Ellie May, there is no way that I would know whether she was getting a small dose or large dose. I will look into the Interceptor brand, I just hate it when my poor little girl gets sick over anything!! __________________ -Teresa- lovingly owned heart & soul by Bailey

03-18-2010, 04:24 PM	#26
PrincessDiana I ♥ Franklin & Maggie Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,068	We're from OK too! Norman here. We NEVER skip heartworm preventative. Because it hardly ever freezes here, the mosquitoes sometimes don't die and can be a problem year round. I recently did a presentation in my Parasitology class over heartworms and they are yucky! It can take up to 6 months for a dog to test positive for heartworms and by then it's too late. The treatment for heartworms is dangerous and expensive. I just wouldn't risk it. We give Interceptor and while our Yorkies are bigger, they do well on it. It has the lower 0-10lb dosage which might help. __________________ Diana , Mommy to Franklin, Maggie, Oliver, and Millie - RIP Piper Last edited by PrincessDiana; 03-18-2010 at 04:26 PM.

03-17-2010, 06:35 PM	#18
kate07 BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 93	I just got from my vets office the Heartguard Plus (Ivermectin/Pyrantel) chewable for small dogs under 25 lbs. My girl is 3 months old and 2 pounds 1 oz. The chewable pill is kind of big in my opinion. Too big for my little girl to handle in one bite. I broke the pill into 4 pieces. She only ate 2 or a half of the pill. I tried over and over again to give her the rest, but she wouldn't take it - I'd put it in her mouth and she'd spit it right out. Not sure how to get her to take the entire thing?? Being so small I wouldn't think she would need to take the entire pill, but the directions said to make sure they take the entire thing or you have to restart the dose....