Any thoughts please....
 

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 there a lot of mosquitoes where you live and does Bailey spend a lot of time outdoors unsupervised when the mosquitoes are active? Is heartworm prevalent in your area? I'm only asking because I've never known anyone who ever used that stuff, but it is a poison (of sorts) anything that kills a hearty parasite like a heartworm is strong stuff - certainly strong enough to make a 3 pound creature sick. I would weigh the chances of Bailey actually getting heartworm to possibly harming her with the "cure"
What does your vet say --- or the person who doesn't sell you the stuff? If you buy it from your vet, that's not the one to ask...product sales contributes heavily to their bottom line.
I'd look at it like: It's like giving them the rabies shot...short of living deep in the sticks where small animals are abundant and the dog runs wild outside, the chances of a person's dog getting rabies is pretty much nil...but you do it so on the off chance your dog bites someone it protects that person, your dog having to be quarantined, associated costs, border crossings, etc., not to mention it gets them into the groomers - so I'd find out how many documented cases of heartworm has been in your area if none to few I wouldn't keep giving her something that's showing a connection to making her sick especially when there's no unrelated benefit like the rabies shot.
Just some thoughts. ~Kendra

Thanks Kendra...you made a good point. I did get this heartworm prevention from my vet's office, who said it's always better to be safe. I had wondered why she would need it, I'll do more research into it. Thanks for the input!!:)

Yes, she most definitely needs it, imo.
What brand is it?

I agree.

It's not worth risking getting heartworms! Heartworm treatment is SCARY and not fun. They're in confinement for months, etc. She definitely needs it. Maybe the dosage is a little high?

I wouldn't risk it!
 

My Patti is only 3 lbs. also, my vet doesn't even suggest Heart worm medication. It is a Poison made with Arsenic - and the cure is just as hard on the animal, especially small ones as it is on the heart worm. It may be why she is getting sick. I water down some Tea Trea Oil and spray it on my dogs here in the summer - keeps all bugs away.

Hope this helps!
:animal-pa

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...

My vet said to cut them in half, if you have two dogs they can share it but if you only have one you have to throw the other half away because it will lose it's effective ness.

However, I do not give heartworm pills. I personally believe we feed them too mny chemicals.

Re: Heartworm
 

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

:aimeeyork

What brand of pill ar you giving her? I know you are frustrated and so is she :(

I give my babies Heartgard. My Tia is 3 lbs also, so the vet suggested I cut the pill in half. I wrap the other half in foil and use the next month. We have lots of bugs here in Louisiana! :eek: My babies are not outside a lot, but, I want them protected when they are.

Is it the chewable Heartgard Plus?

Yes, the chewable Heartgard Plus.

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. :(

Thanks for the info....I\'ll definitely check into it. You\'re right, it\'s very frustrating!