MP3 Heartworm Strain

[Ellie May]

Anybody heard about it?
Scary thought that most of our current preventatives aren't working for this strain. Those of you down south, have your dogs come up hw positive while on a preventative?

[Maximo]

Yikes! Something new for me to worry about.

[Ellie May]

Ha, no kidding. Now I'm thinking, hmm, just how many times a year should we test. Is 4 too much... lol

[kjc]

Heard preventatives may not be 100% a few months ago... I was afraid to post about it! I believe it takes 7-9 months for the HW to reach adult reproductive stage, so I would think testing 2-3 times a year would catch it.... 2 for sure... 3 if you're overly paranoid... or live in the south...

[AlicetheYorkie]

I've always wanted to live further south where it's warm, but this kinda gives me a reason to not want to. I should shut up though cause watch, that'll be next, heartworm will start showing up all over the place in the northern states.
I think I'd be testing 3 times a year if I lived down there.

[MinniesMom10]

This makes me paranoid, my YT goes on walks now since its nice outside. I just called and scheduled an appointment on Friday for her to get tested for heartworm.

[Ellie May]

The American Heartworm Society does not believe it's time to panic. Whatever product is used, some guidelines should be followed:

Test annually.
Use prevention year-round.
Give once and month (the whole thing).
Make sure they don't throw it up or spit it out.

That's all we can do right now.

I did read something about a vet in KY reporting some product failure already. No drug will work 100% of the time, but this is something way beyond that. It is something that I think we will be seeing a lot more about shortly.

[gidget529]

Hope these aren't dumb questions but:

1. Is this from product failure? Or new strain identified?

2. Is this just occurring in the South or do also see in North?

[Nancy1999]

Thanks for the information. I hope people will continue to take the medication, and have their dogs tested yearly.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by gidget529

Hope these aren't dumb questions but:

1. Is this from product failure? Or new strain identified?

2. Is this just occurring in the South or do also see in North?

There has been a huge increase in reports of products failing and the assumption is that this new strain could be partly to blame (older products just don't do well with it). I haven't read anything that would indicate that the older products are becoming much less effective for the older strain(s) of heartworm.

I'd be much less concerned in the North right now. This is in the Mississippi Delta area and possibly some others. Research is ongoing to figure everything out. As far as I know, here in MI there haven't been a big increase in lack of efficacy claims. Apparently one of the vet's offices here hadn't even heard about it.

[gidget529]

Thanks so much for the info!! I would be interested in hearing if more info becomes available on heartworm strains/meds.