Heartworm preventatives . . . Which is the best?

[Dawg 1419]

Didn’t control fleas? Ticks? Or had a reaction to it?

Mine still had fleas. Two weeks after using.

 

[strykerdobe]

Count me as another person trying to avoid harsh chemicals. I swear Advantage contributed to my last dog's seizures.

Getting a new puppy and I plan to use Wondercide in the summer. But I dont know if I should skip heartworm meds in the winter or just skip them all together and go for testing every season. I live in Rhode Island.

Has anyone ever heard/tried of this..?

Yes I have heard of HWF. We have not used it.

If you live in a part of the country that has seasons and Temps drop below 57deg for long periods you do not need to give HW preventative all year round.

We live in Northern Ohio. We do not use any preventative Pesticides at all. But we test for HW and any Tick Born diseases (late May and late Nov.) 2x's a year.

We have and do use Wondercide and Essential oils for years now.

And yes HW/Flea/Tick Pesticides work on the nervous systems of these pests. So Yes they can cause seizures and skin issues in pets.

What really needs to be learned is the Life Cycle of HW and how it develops. Which I think a lot of vets don't know! I will PM you with a Pdf.

 

[strykerdobe]

Couple of good sources.

Dr. Jean Dodds' Pet Health Resource Blog | Dr. Dodds' Take ...
https://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/46289883129
Dr. Dodds’ Take on and General Recommendations for Heartworm Preventives (Preventatives) A normal functioning immune system is an essential component to promote the health and longevity of companion animals.

Or see if you can open it here?
Essential Heartworm Guide​

 

[Lizbeli]

Yes I have heard of HWF. We have not used it.

If you live in a part of the country that has seasons and Temps drop below 57deg for long periods you do not need to give HW preventative all year round.

We live in Northern Ohio. We do not use any preventative Pesticides at all. But we test for HW and any Tick Born diseases (late May and late Nov.) 2x's a year.

We have and do use Wondercide and Essential oils for years now.

And yes HW/Flea/Tick Pesticides work on the nervous systems of these pests. So Yes they can cause seizures and skin issues in pets.

What really needs to be learned is the Life Cycle of HW and how it develops. Which I think a lot of vets don't know! I will PM you with a Pdf.

Thanks, I appreciate it! I read a little bit of information on the life stages of heart worms. One website recommended testing every 4mths so that you had enough time to break the life cycle if the dog tests positive. But every 4mths seemed excessive. For my area I was thinking testing in May, and again in mid September or early October.

I have a feeling my vet won't be too happy when I walk in with a cropped and docked puppy and decline pretty much every vaccine, heart worm medication, flea prevention, and avoid neutering him until at least 18mths XD Even my breeders contract advises against over vaccination and early neutering.

 

[strykerdobe]

Awesome!

I would always screw with our one Vet (who is no longer). I would printout and bring in all the info on vaccines, HW, Spay/Neutering, Feeding Raw and anything else and leave it with him!

 

[strykerdobe]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I read a little bit of information on the life stages of heart worms. One website recommended testing every 4mths so that you had enough time to break the life cycle if the dog tests positive. But every 4mths seemed excessive. For my area I was thinking testing in May, and again in mid September or early October.

I have a feeling my vet won't be too happy when I walk in with a cropped and docked puppy and decline pretty much every vaccine, heart worm medication, flea prevention, and avoid neutering him until at least 18mths XD Even my breeders contract advises against over vaccination and early neutering.

One thing I always wondered? If HW is so wide spread. Then why don't all (I'm sure some do) Wolfs, Foxes, Coyotes and other Candid's don't get HW and die??? Since they all live in the wild all year round. Maybe because healthy ones don't get HW????

 

[Lizbeli]

I have read a lot about how vaccinations and these HW/flea preventatives actually harm the dogs immune system. So once the dog is off them then they become more susceptible to sickness and disease. However, I am no scientist. Just someone who spends a lot of time researching things.

That Heart Worm Free supplement works by strengthening the heart and immune system (according to their site).

 

[Dawg 1419]

One thing I always wondered? If HW is so wide spread. Then why don't all (I'm sure some do) Wolfs, Foxes, Coyotes and other Candid's don't get HW and die??? Since they all live in the wild all year round. Maybe because healthy ones don't get HW????

I have had dogs all my 48yrs on earth. I don’t ever remember giving any HWM. And none have had Heartworms. Things that make you go hmmmmmm...

 

[Kaiser2016]

There's so much information from new research vs out dated beliefs about what's best for pets. It's really so unfortunate that vets don't take a stand for their patients (our pets) because their customers (we, the owners) often times trust them too much. It's always good to stay curious and do your own research!

 

[strykerdobe]

@Kaiser2016 perfectly said!!!!!!! I could hit Agree 20 times!

The problem is also loss of $$$$$$$$$$$$ for the Vet!!!!!!!
But also Vets should keep up with the latest research and keeping the best interest of our pets health the 1st priority.

 

[strykerdobe]

Here is another good read and info on Heartworm.
54 page read!

 

[Dawg 1419]

I just used this on our pit bull about a week ago, supposed to get all worms including heart worms. A amount the size of a pencil eraser.