|
Welcome to the YorkieTalk.com Forums Community - the community for Yorkshire Terriers. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. You will be able to chat with over 35,000 YorkieTalk members, read over 2,000,000 posted discussions, and view more than 15,000 Yorkie photos in the YorkieTalk Photo Gallery after you register. We would love to have you as a member! Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please click here to contact us. |
|
| LinkBack | Thread Tools |
02-19-2014, 06:15 AM | #31 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| I use natural prevention and don't live in an area where heartworm is a concern. You want to put poison in your dogs system as a prevention I want to keep a strong immune system that fights parasites and my dogs blood does get tested and guess what, no worms. I feed raw and not everyone agrees with that I don't give heartworm treatment not everyone agrees with that. For all the dogs you are pointing out in my area who had it I can show you 50 who don't get the treatment and have no worms. As for putting a gun to my head don't be coy I was paraphrasing. There are other means of preventing and protecting your animals. You just have to do the research. |
Welcome Guest! | |
02-19-2014, 06:30 AM | #32 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| I am so finished with this. This has nothing to do with me and everything to do with protecting pups. For those people who are interested, I am providing links for you to read. There is NO scientific evidence that holistic or other so called harmless things will protect your pup from heartworms...in fact there is evidence it does not. American Heartworm Society OVMA - Heartworm Disease In Dogs From the second link: What you need to know about Heartworm disease in Ontario A study on “Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 2010” published by the Ontario Veterinary College’s Department of Pathobiology at the University of Guelph has revealed a 60 per cent increase in the number of dogs in Ontario with heartworm since the last study of its kind was conducted in 2002. The Canada-wide study showed that 564 dogs tested positive for heartworm in Canada in 2010; 431 of those dogs were located in Ontario (that’s over 75 per cent of the total). Also of concern is that eighty per cent of animals that were found to have heartworm had not been on a heartworm preventive medication. In a few cases, pets that had been receiving heartworm preventive medication also tested positive for the disease; the most common reason for this was that the pet owners indicated they had forgotten to give their pet the preventive medication at the prescribed intervals.
__________________ |
02-19-2014, 06:33 AM | #33 | |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,451
| Quote:
__________________ | |
02-19-2014, 06:39 AM | #34 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 5,891
| I did a lot of reading about heart worm when Gemy's Zoey had heart worm, particularly the information on the American Heartworm Association site. All of my Rainbow Bridge babies and now Katie took heart worm medication only when mosquitos are present. I really didn't know what to do because I've read enough threads about heart worm here on YT and thought of using it year round. My vet's preference is to discontinue heart worm medication in the winter because he prefers less chemicals unless necessary. He said to start back in May. When I was playing outside with Katie early May last year, I saw a mosquito, and I somewhat panicked. She was at the vet within a few days for a heart worm test, and we resumed the heart worm medication. She took her last dose early December. It broke my heart seeing the anguish Gemy went through with Zoey. Her dogs are normally treated, but a dosage was probably missed. She is very active with her dogs and takes day and overnight trips hiking and swimming with her pups often. That year she was also at an outdoor dog show in Kentucky that Razzle was being shown in. Whether Zoey contracted heart worm in the U.S. or Ontario is unknown. I really do worry about the chemicals we put on our pups, but I put them on my little girl because I am afraid of the alternatives. I worry about cancer, too. Gemy's Zoey was diagnosed with lymphoma a few months after she underwent heart worm treatment. We will never know if those intense heart worm treatments contributed to her cancer; it probably didn't, but how do we really know for sure? Gemy is so careful with her pups and gives them such good, whole foods and the best medical care. I think I'm going to make sure that Katie gets tested again the end of April and started on heart worm medication before the mosquitoes arrive. These small doses are far better than if a dog actually gets heart worm. Heart worm treatment is very toxic and can be deadly, and pups really suffer undergoing treatment. For me, it's finding a balance. At this point Katie is off of it for a few months, but that could change if I hear of incidences in the Northeast of heart worm during the winter. I can't let my fears get in the way of doing what's best for Katie. I never had a problem with fleas or ticks with any of my babies, but I used Frontline on them and before that Program. This past June I was late putting Katie's topical on her, mostly because I was trying Advantix II and was scared. My husband checks Katie every day for any new lump or bump and found a tiny tick on her under her armpit. It couldn't have been there long since he checks her daily. If she had gotten Lyme Disease because of my fear of the topical, I would never have forgiven myself. Katie was fine and I make sure I give her the preventative monthly.
__________________ Lisa and Katie Ashley 6/10, Gracie 2/04, Kiwi 10/03, and Jolie 7/93 . |
02-19-2014, 06:54 AM | #35 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| Why do you need a scientific study that natural holistic means work. I just gave you one. Mine. Don't get all pious and snotty. There are areas of this world where there are huge issues with mosquitoes and heartworm and those who live there do what they do to protect their dogs. I personally feel that prolonged use of insecticide on my dogs will impact their immune system and organ functions. You cannot force someone to do something they do not feel is right and you most certainly are in no position to pass judgement on my or any other persons character because of your personal choices versus mine. I certainly am not trying to belittle you for you beliefs. Learn to respect mine and share opinions. |
02-19-2014, 06:59 AM | #36 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| And the Ontario study it can't be shown that the heartworm was transmitted in Ontario as many of the owners travelled to the US with their dogs |
02-19-2014, 07:51 AM | #37 | ||
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | Quote:
Heartworm Incidence map 2001-2007: http://www.heartwormsociety.org/down...idence-Map.pdf And, 2010: http://www.heartwormsociety.org/down...e-Map-2010.pdf See how progressive and volatile incidence is? This translates yet again to playing Russian roulette, so it really is a great analogy. I live in Arizona, and it's really not terribly prevalent here, but I learned a huge confirmation lesson a few years back. In our neighborhood, we found a gorgeous purebred female black lab - just the best dog! Someone likely dumped her, but we couldn't figure out why. After trying to search for her owner, we found her a home. When they took her to the vet, they found out she had heartworm, in an area of LOW incidence! We were blown away. Thank God I'd already been giving mine the meds. That poor precious kiddo went through hell with those arsenic treatments, let me tell you. My point is, while you may feel safer not giving it -- my firsthand experience informs me that even in areas of low-or-no-incidence -- it's THERE. It's right flippin' there nonetheless. Sadly . Just my 2 cents, take or leave what you will. Quote:
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° | ||
02-19-2014, 08:37 AM | #38 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| I admit I'm a little bit more lackadaisical in the colder months around here. It's been very cold here since at least December. I just realized a few days ago that I haven't given him Heartguard chew since December. So I skipped January, and am not worried about it. But I agree that in MOST areas, it's just silly not to give it. It's something I'm usually pretty adamant about. Unlike flea/tick meds, I only give those topicals about 2-3x a year in the summer. Admittedly, I haven't heard of many dogs around here who end up with heartworms (even in the rescue I used to volunteer for, etc) but I know it's a huge problem in the south. My dads dogs are not given heartworm meds, and it's not out of a lack of love, more just ignorance, and my dad and stepmom don't keep up with that kind of stuff. Their dogs are almost 7 and 6. No problems thus far. My moms dog used to be a primarily outdoor dog and never had anything either. But their level of care for dogs is not the same as mine. It's not something I want to risk personally. And I understand the feelings of not wanting to give too many drugs, or pesticides (it's why I am very limited on vaccines and flea/tick meds) but I truly feel that the heartworm meds (at least the one I use) is well tested and is very safe. So I will continue to give it year round, or at least 90% of the year.
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier |
02-19-2014, 09:50 AM | #39 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
02-19-2014, 09:52 AM | #40 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
02-19-2014, 09:54 AM | #41 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
02-19-2014, 09:56 AM | #42 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
02-19-2014, 09:59 AM | #43 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
02-19-2014, 10:32 AM | #44 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| I hear what you are saying Britster and Wylie's mum thanks for the info. My boys get their physicals and there blood work done annually. You also need to let people know that just like other parasites heart worm larvae can develop an immunity to the topical treatments and there are cases showing dogs who have received year round treatment. |
02-19-2014, 10:48 AM | #45 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,631
| A friend of mine in Wyoming has been using a natural product called TickZ have any of you ever heard of it? It's something she uses as an alternative to topical treatments. Tickz | Tick Treatment For Dogs, Pet Tick Treatment | PetzLife Stop Poisoning Heartworms: Risky Business |
Bookmarks |
|
|
| |
|
|
SHOP NOW: Amazon :: eBay :: Buy.com :: Newegg :: PetStore :: Petco :: PetSmart