Heartworm dosage too high? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lefty's parents · 01-22-2006, 12:53 PM

First time Yorkie owner. I was wondering if anyone was giving their Yorkie less than the full dosage of heartworm preventative? Heartgaurd dosage information states a minimum dosage of 2.72 mcg/lb. For Lefty, that would mean he needs a minumum of 6.8 mcg. The total dose for heartgaurd blue is 68 mcg which is 10 times the minimum dosage. I was thinking if I cut the tablet into four he would still be getting twice the minimum dosage. Please set me straight if this is a bad idea.

chachi · 01-22-2006, 12:57 PM

I quess you can probably do that. I have always just given the whole tablet.

livingdustmops · 01-22-2006, 01:42 PM

I have always given mine the full dosage also. This might be a good question for your vet unless someone already knows the answer from their vet. I would be to worried messing around with this medicine and not given them enough.

yorluvr · 01-23-2006, 04:39 PM

I prefer Interceptor to Heartguard. although both good products, the Interceptor is dosed from 0-10#s, while the heartguard is dosed 0-25#s.
My dogs get the heartworm protection but the Interceptor is closer to their weight. No need to give my 5# dog the same pill as a 25# dog IMO.
Julie

Itspuppyluv · 01-23-2006, 09:04 PM

The reason that it is a bad idea is because the active ingredient is not distributed evenly in the tablet. They might not get the required amount (or any) to prevent heartworms.
I've seen this warning several times online, I'll see if I can find it again.

Maddie-Rudy-Mom · 01-23-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itspuppyluv

The reason that it is a bad idea is because the active ingredient is not distributed evenly in the tablet. They might not get the required amount (or any) to prevent heartworms.
I've seen this warning several times online, I'll see if I can find it again.

My Vet told me the same thing Erin posted. Polly is less than 3lbs and she has takes the whole one for about 9 months and never got sick. I am talking about Hearguard. Maybe ask your Vet and see what he says.

Itspuppyluv · 01-23-2006, 10:19 PM

Here you go....

http://www.1800petmeds.com/askthevet...34727*12968*41

Second paragragh in the second column...

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/112..._heartworm.pdf

yorkiemom1970 · 01-23-2006, 11:11 PM

Ive recently switched to Revolution after years of using Sentinel. Revolution not only protects against heart worms but many other intestinal worms and mange and ear mites.

livingdustmops · 01-24-2006, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itspuppyluv

Here you go....

http://www.1800petmeds.com/askthevet...34727*12968*41

Second paragragh in the second column...

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/112..._heartworm.pdf

Thanks Erin for the information. Makes me feel better

BamaFan121s · 01-24-2006, 06:31 AM

I had a problem once where about a minute after giving a dog a heartworm pill, it threw up. (Gee, maybe because I was shoving something down his throat? That'd be enough for me!) Anyway, I couldn't be sure if he'd kept the heartworm pill down or not. I called his vet (not my vet, this is my grandparents dog) and they said to give him another one in case. Said there was no risk of overdosing and living in AL, it being summer, and him being an outside dog, he NEEDED the pill. Anyway, they said that it wouldn't hurt if he actually had 2...this was either Heartgard or Interceptor...I know he's had both, but again, not my dog.

livingdustmops · 01-24-2006, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaFan121s

I had a problem once where about a minute after giving a dog a heartworm pill, it threw up. (Gee, maybe because I was shoving something down his throat? That'd be enough for me!) Anyway, I couldn't be sure if he'd kept the heartworm pill down or not. I called his vet (not my vet, this is my grandparents dog) and they said to give him another one in case. Said there was no risk of overdosing and living in AL, it being summer, and him being an outside dog, he NEEDED the pill. Anyway, they said that it wouldn't hurt if he actually had 2...this was either Heartgard or Interceptor...I know he's had both, but again, not my dog.

My friend that has 5 Yorkies had one of her's steal the other Yorkies Heartguard chew (they love them) and she immediately called the vet who told her the exact same thing. This happened about a month ago. Even in Arizona we worry about heartworm because mosquitoes can breed in a few inches of water.

BamaFan121s · 01-24-2006, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

My friend that has 5 Yorkies had one of her's steal the other Yorkies Heartguard chew (they love them) and she immediately called the vet who told her the exact same thing. This happened about a month ago. Even in Arizona we worry about heartworm because mosquitoes can breed in a few inches of water.

Back in the day when you gave a dog a heartworm pill every day, we had a dog that missed a few weeks, then we got some, gave him one and it made him very sick b/c he'd actually gotten heartworms in the meantime. (Yes, I know this is why you don't let them miss and have them tested before starting it...remember, I said "back in the day," as in, before this was common knowledge.)
We rushed him to the vet (he was 7 or 8 at the time) and they told us treatment was expensive (like 1500.00, but remember this was back in the day, more now, I'm sure) and a long recovery and it would be best to have him put to sleep since he was older anyway and may not recover. Well, we didn't listen to them, had him treated and he lived to be 15 yrs old. Healthy as a buck until the day he died from a heart attack, but even then, no one knew there was anything wrong with him,so it was quite a shock...he didn't act it.
Anyway, to sum it up. The treatment was horrific. Weeks in the hospital under constant observation, surgery and then trips every other day to the other side of town vet and he had to stay confined to a small room, (like, a laundry room and kept quiet for like 6-8 wks. NOT something I want to EVER do again...EVER. Therefor, you will never catch mine without it!

Lefty's parents · 01-28-2006, 05:56 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go with Interceper, since it is closer to the dosage I need.

01-22-2006, 12:53 PM	#1
Lefty's parents YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 3	Heartworm dosage too high? First time Yorkie owner. I was wondering if anyone was giving their Yorkie less than the full dosage of heartworm preventative? Heartgaurd dosage information states a minimum dosage of 2.72 mcg/lb. For Lefty, that would mean he needs a minumum of 6.8 mcg. The total dose for heartgaurd blue is 68 mcg which is 10 times the minimum dosage. I was thinking if I cut the tablet into four he would still be getting twice the minimum dosage. Please set me straight if this is a bad idea.

01-22-2006, 12:57 PM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I quess you can probably do that. I have always just given the whole tablet. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

01-22-2006, 01:42 PM	#3
livingdustmops Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,728	I have always given mine the full dosage also. This might be a good question for your vet unless someone already knows the answer from their vet. I would be to worried messing around with this medicine and not given them enough. __________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products!

01-23-2006, 09:04 PM	#5
Itspuppyluv Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,277	The reason that it is a bad idea is because the active ingredient is not distributed evenly in the tablet. They might not get the required amount (or any) to prevent heartworms. I've seen this warning several times online, I'll see if I can find it again. __________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW

01-23-2006, 10:19 PM	#7
Itspuppyluv Gus Is The Fuss Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,277	Here you go.... http://www.1800petmeds.com/askthevet...347271296841 Second paragragh in the second column... http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/112..._heartworm.pdf __________________ Erin & Gus Gus You lost me at stay! "He is a good heart and a kind soul, and an angel on four feet." MW

01-23-2006, 04:39 PM	#4
yorluvr Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 53	I prefer Interceptor to Heartguard. although both good products, the Interceptor is dosed from 0-10#s, while the heartguard is dosed 0-25#s. My dogs get the heartworm protection but the Interceptor is closer to their weight. No need to give my 5# dog the same pill as a 25# dog IMO. Julie

01-23-2006, 11:11 PM	#8
yorkiemom1970 No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,947	Ive recently switched to Revolution after years of using Sentinel. Revolution not only protects against heart worms but many other intestinal worms and mange and ear mites.

01-24-2006, 06:31 AM	#10
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	I had a problem once where about a minute after giving a dog a heartworm pill, it threw up. (Gee, maybe because I was shoving something down his throat? That'd be enough for me!) Anyway, I couldn't be sure if he'd kept the heartworm pill down or not. I called his vet (not my vet, this is my grandparents dog) and they said to give him another one in case. Said there was no risk of overdosing and living in AL, it being summer, and him being an outside dog, he NEEDED the pill. Anyway, they said that it wouldn't hurt if he actually had 2...this was either Heartgard or Interceptor...I know he's had both, but again, not my dog.

01-28-2006, 05:56 PM	#13
Lefty's parents YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 3	Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go with Interceper, since it is closer to the dosage I need.