I've always had well-vetted dogs, and I've never given mine heartworm meds, nor had a vet even mention it.
Yet I know heartworms are common in other areas.
Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04
Posted on 08/04/2006 7:34:31 PM PDT by hsmomx3
Adorable!!
We have a sheltie-collie mix and a border collie. They are wonderful companions and are very much a part of our family.
Ping!
I thought the same thing until three years ago when both of our dogs were diagnosed with heartworms.
We paid megabucks for the heartworm treatment, and now give them heartworm pills every month.
Then you need to get a prescription from your vet and go to Drs. Foster and Smith. Even if your dogs are 70 pounds, you can save $20 for a six month supply over what you're spending now.
I've always had well-vetted dogs, and I've never given mine heartworm meds, nor had a vet even mention it.
Yet I know heartworms are common in other areas.
I've had friends who lost dogs because of heartworms. And, even when a dog lives after a treatment regimen, they're weak for a very long time.
We need it here in Texas but I always worry about all the poisons we are giving our dogs, for fleas, heartworms, etc!
What do you think antibiotics for humans are? They're poisons against bacteria.
They also guard against a number of parasites and nasty things that dogs can pick up by eating refuse, or drinking in rain puddles, etc.
It's worth it.
I have been told the hearworm med has arsenic in it. Haven't checked that out though.
Guess I never thought of antibiotics as being poison to us. Eat some yogurt and get the good bacteria back!
Arsenic occurs naturally, in small quantities, in drinking water.
I've never examined the ingredients in Heartgard, for instance. All I know is that it keeps the heartworms away, and it's a nice tasty treat on the first of the month for the pack.
I can wrap those pills in bologna and my Yorkie will gobble it and spit out the pill, lol.
The chewables supposedly taste like liver. I've never had a dog that didn't chew one up and swallow it.
Get a Yorkie - and spoil it! I have to mash shredded cheese on it, BUT it is not the chewable kind.
Revolution is a topical heartworm treatment. also takes care of intestinal worms, fleas, ticks and earmites as well as mange. I order it from australia over the net prescription free. and reasonably priced, I might add. The package insert states you can use it on an untested dog, but I had mine tested first.
The incidence of heartworm in Arizona is low, but increasing. There have been more than 600 cases of heartworm reported in Arizona in the last 4 years, and most of these cases have been in dogs that have never been outside Arizona. As infected dogs move into our area and as our mosquito population grows, so does the risk of heartworm infection.
And this:
There is a low incidence of heartworm in Peoria due to the fact that heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and most areas of Phoenix don't have many mosquitoes. However, heartworm is very prevalent in many other parts of Arizona and the U.S. and has been showing up in the valley. If you are travelling or if you have seen mosquitoes in your area, we recommend the use of the "once a month" heartworm preventative (Heartguard Plus). A blood test is recommended to check to make sure your dog is free from heartworm now.
Hope this helps.
Awwwwwww!
At Petmeds.com it is about $80 and at our vet, it tends to run about $10 more. Of course, that is for two dogs and is for a 6 month supply.
Someone told me that you could actually get the pills for the biggest of dogs, break them in half and save that way. Have never done this though.
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