Heartworm Medication
 

I'm thinking about changing Gizmo heartworm preventative when we run out. Currently, he takes heartguard, however it seems to upset his tummy for a day or two and he gets the itchies.
I plan on talking with my vet, but I was just wondering if any of you ladies had any experience with the topical heartworm preventatives.

Any suggestions or experience that I could run by my vet would be appreciated.

Didn't even know that existed do you know a name? I think it would be good to switch if it doesn't seem to agree with him. I use Interceptor and we haven't had any problems with it, Callie takes it and is like uhhh that was good got anymore lol.

I use Revolution. It takes care of heartworm, fleas, mites, and more... so it's only one chemical that my pups get. They all do very well with it.

I knew there was one that did both and I couldn't think of the name.
Thanks so much, I'll mention it to my vet and she what she thinks.

My vet recommended for use on my Liver Shunt dog, so I feel it's very safe. I buy it in bulk and measure out each dose according to weight of the pup. I also use it on my kitties. My vet did the math, lol.

Both Revolution and Advantage Multi are topical. They are also the newest heartworm drugs to come out. I go with the ones that ave been trusted for a long time until they sop working for us.

I agree that sometimes intolerant dogs need topicals. Very thankful my girl does fine with Interceptor (beef flavored soy). She could never have HG Plus because it's beef.

The active ingredient in Advantage Mlti is moxidectin. This was also the main ingredient in Proheart 6, the heart worm injection that was pulled or causing 400+ deaths. It is thought at this wasn't the problem ingredient, but I'm waiting to see how Advantage Mulyi does on other peoples' dogs before trusting it.

A lot of people really like Revolution. I'd talk to your vet about it. I have decided against it because I'm not comfortable with it. There seem to be a lot of reports of ineffect. All of them are ineffective at times, but this one may be especially so. There seem to be more ineffect and or side effect reports to the FDA to (per year) than the others. Maybe it doesn't all absorb if owners bathe too early? Anyway, for whatever reason, I don't like it. My vet doesn't use it much either...

I love Revolution as a topical of choice. My vet did mention that there were reports of it being ineffective, however she stressed that when she recommends Revolution, she gives all her clients detailed "show and tell" instructions on exactly how to apply the medication, and she has not had any incidences of it not working in her patient population, over a 12 year period.....Revolution hit the market in 1999. She just stressed that you must part the hair carefully, and apply the liquid directly onto the exposed skin....do not just pull the hair aside and drop the liquid on the hair, hit or miss!

I also use revolution for oscar.
He does fine, never had a problem

We use interceptor. We had to change from heartgard when Daisy was a puppy because of her allergies. She's a dog with multiple problems but handles interceptor well.

We use interceptor here too. Sophia thinks its a treat and just gobbles it up!

Thanks ladies for all your input. I'll ask my vet about both Revolution and Interceptor. Now, off to make Easter Decorations!:p

I use Revolution and weight measure out for each of mine.

Anyone here uses iverhart? That is what our vet gave us a sample, the pill says is for 0 to 25 lbs dogs, I gave 1/2 last month and 1/2 this month. Since everyone seems to use interceptor, can some one tell me what's the difference?
Thanks!

unless your vet told you to only do 1/2 & 1/2 on that pill
i think you are supposed to give the whole thing at one time.

Pills shouldn't be split because if the drug is unevenly distributed, there could be months where not enough is given. You can always call the company and ask. Iverhart is one brand that uses ivermectin. Heartgard is also ivermectin. Depending on the type of Iverhart, there may be another ingredient for intestinal parasites.

So the difference between Iverhart and Interceptor is the active ingredient. Iverhart is ivermectin while Interceptor is milbemycin oxime. Both active ingredients are considered great choices for heartworm prevention. More vets use Heartgard than Iverhart though (couldn't tell you why, but my guess is that a lot of vets like Merial (the manufacturer of Heartgard)).

Ivermectin kill heartworm larvae.
If another ingredient is present, that would be for intestinal parasites. Heartgard Plus adds pyrantel which control round and hook worms.
Milbemycin oxime kills heartworm larvae, round worms, hookworms, and whipworms, but I think there is info somewhere about pyrantel controlling more types of hookworms than milbemycin.

Ok, that was a confusing ramble.:rolleyes: