HEARTGARD PLUS Lawsuit!!!!!!!! Must read!
 

Scientist fired by Merial alleges Heartgard Plus coverup - VIN

http://www.vin.com/apputil/image/han...?docid=4919211

Yikes! Glad I don't use it.

I heard this on the news. I used Heartgard years ago. Now I use Advantage multi, but saw that Sentinel has a tablet that is for fleas and heartworms. I hate that greasy stuff on their backs.

Very interesting.

I read recently that some heartworms have become resistant to the preventative treatments. Possible link? Do any of these apply?

1. The Heartguard isn't working as well because of the development of resistant heartworms (although the article states that they knew of the problem over 10 years ago, so I doubt that is the case). Or,
2. Maybe the partially effective Heartguard allowed only the strongest strains to survive, resulting in the outgrowth of the resistant strain. Or,
3. Maybe there aren't any resistant new heartworm strains, but the possibility was put out there as an excuse for the failure of the Heartguard. Or,
4. Maybe there is Heartguard failure and there are new resistant strains of heartworm, but there is no connection.

I just wonder. And I'm glad that I use Sentinel. I've given it to 5 dogs without any problem, they've tolerated without incident.

Wow , we use Sentinel. Used heartguarf in the past and what's pretty interesting about Merial products is that they have offices not far from my house.

I'm not surprised by this. These pharmaceutical companies hide a lot of negative info from the public.

I hope people don't stop using it because of this news. I can't open the second link, so I can’t comment on what it says, but the first link basically states Heartgard may not be as effective as they advertise it to be, what product is? It doesn't say anything about it not be safe, or that it could harm our dogs. If you dog gets heartworms, and you have proof that you’ve bought the product Heartgard will treat you dogs for the heartworm at no cost to you, so this tell me that they believe the product to be effective. We have to remember that some people may buy the product, but that doesn’t mean they remember to give it to their dogs every month.

Try opening another window, put the link in your subject line. Hopefully that will work. That link contains the actual lawsuit...all 29 pages.

Okay, lol, like I could understand all that! I just don't want people to jump the gun and stop using it because of this. I imagine lots of companies have lawsuits such as this, she feels like they owe her an apology, and she's suing to get it. However, this doesn't mean that the heartgard isn't safe.

Very sad. I agree with Nancy though. I'm much more concerned about what owners are going to do with this information than I am about Merial. We don't know that it happened for sure. And still if it did, Merial's products are pretty darn trusted among vets even if some don't like the company.

If this did happen, it is by no means acceptable. It's also not okay to throw the Heartgard away, esp. if it's not being replaced with something.

No drug is 100% effective. Most or all heartworm drugs have lack of effectiveness reports against them on the FDA's site. It seems to be the thing reported most.

We'll all have to do what we and our vets feel is best during this time (esp. for those who use Heartgard). This information would not stop me from using it. That said, I don't use it. I use Novartis products for heartworm.

BTW, Immiticide (arsenic compound to treat heartworms) is also made by Merial (and only Merial). IMO, it would be very difficult to get away from all of their products. And also, they would pay for treatment if a vet can show that heartworm tests were done yearly and meds were given year-round, I think.

I read both the VIN article and all 29 pages of the court document, and fell asleep somewhere in between, lol.

The lady is a whistleblower who feels she was unjustly fired for repeatedly finding holes in the research of the product efficacy which was presented and advertised to the public.

Merial makes claims that HeartGard Plus is 100% efficient. It is not, the real number is closer to 95%, (so 1 in 20 may get Heartworm). The company was court ordered to change their package labeling to reflect that. They have refused, and have destroyed much of the research documentation to hide the facts.

I would still use the product, I just bought some last week, but be sure to do Heartworm testing at least yearly, to insure that the product (or any Heartworm preventative) is working to protect my dogs.

Treatment is safer when caught early on in the disease, so through yearly testing and the use of preventatives year round, I can still keep my dogs relatively safe.

I am going to alternate heartworm preventatives with mine, I don't know if this will help any (I did discuss this with my vet and have his approval to do so), but it makes me feel safer in that the Heartworm in my area won't become immune to the product I am using (if this can even happen, IDK), or if there is a problem with the company that produces the preventatives, mine will still be protected by using a second or third preventative, on an alternating basis.

I didn't know what to say at first. After reading everyone's replies it makes sense that it wouldn't be 100% effective. I guess no drug is. I will talk to my vet about alternatives but if my vet feels like heartguard plus is still what is best for my dog, then I will trust his judgement.

:thumbup:

I have been using Heartgard since 1985 and have never had a pup turn up positive for heartworms. I test yearly.
I will not stop using it.

Thanks for explaining in detail. I'm disappointed that companies just can't be honest, would people really stop using if it were only 95% effective? I'll keep using it too, we don't have a large problem with mosquitos in AZ, but I live next to a small lake and we have a pond, and I've read that recovery from the disease is very painful.

I never thought it was 100 % effective since they have a policy that says they will reimburse if a dog gets heartworms while on Heartgard.