Free Republic

Genetically modified mosquitoes have been released for the first time in the United States as part of an experiment to combat insect-borne diseases such as Dengue fever, yellow fever, and the Zika virus. UK-based biotechnology firm Oxitec, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said it released the mosquitoes in six locations in Monroe County’s Florida Keys: two on Cudjoe Key, one on Ramrod Key, and three on Vaca Key. It’s part of an effort to help tackle a disease-transmitting invasive mosquito population—the Aedes aegypti mosquito species—that’s responsible for “virtually all mosquito-borne diseases transmitted to humans,” according...

FORT WORTH, Texas - If your dog has heartworms it will be harder to get a cure. The only company producing the parasite-killing drug has run out and veterinarians don’t know when they’ll get more. Veterinarians across the country are in a quandary because Immiticide is the only FDA-approved drug available to treat dogs with heartworms. Drug company Merial said its supply is gone and it can’t produce any more because it can’t get the drug’s active ingredient in the United States. The FDA has been hesitant to allow overseas suppliers to fill American orders. Vets are working with what...

If your dog is always in the house or in their very own backyard, is it important that they take heartworm meds? My friend has had a dog for a few years now and has never medicated her dog for this nor has the dog ever been diagnosed with a heartworm disease.

Our ACD, who is 2 years old, has been diagnosed with heartworm inspite of being current on her ProHeart6 injections. I have heard about dogs having adverse experiences on Proheart but not about it being ineffective. Does anyone know about this? We are very upset and concerned that our pet is having to go through the aweful treament. Suz