[onyx'girl]

Ivermectin paste (horse dewormer), pea sized amount once a month.
We adopted a heartworm positive dog and that's what the vet recommended... so we do that for all the dogs now, once they are tested negative. Tested once a year.

From what I understand you should not use the paste as the Ivermectin is not distributed properly thruout the tube(it is supposed to be dose in large amounts not pea size) so you may not be dosing properly.

Also, some research has indicated GSDs can have the same genetic sensitivity to Ivomec that Collies have (it kills them). Something to think about.

I use the Ivomec 1% from Tractor supply. Do you have statistics or a link to back this up on the sensitivity to GSD's?

 

[heatherr]

We're finishing a 6 mo pack of heartguard now, and will switch to the interceptor after that.

My pup wasn't tested at rescue for HWs since he was only 12 weeks, but I will get him tested at his yearly checkup, and then keep him on preventative and test him as the vet recommends.

 

[mehpenn]

From what I understand you should not use the paste as the Ivermectin is not distributed properly thruout the tube(it is supposed to be dose in large amounts not pea size) so you may not be dosing properly.

I use the Ivomec 1% from Tractor supply. Do you have statistics or a link to back this up on the sensitivity to GSD's?

We had a thorough discussion about various treatment/preventative options before beginning this path.... but we've been using this method for 12 years and have not had a dog test positive since. Even had one rescue (black lab) who tested positive at adoption, treated with the ivermec paste and tested negative a year later and each year after. One thing we do do is measure out exactly the amount they should recieve, since my pea size is not the same as my husband's pea size, so pea size is a relative term.

 

[JOSHUA SAMPSON]

I will NEVER stop giving my dogs heartwork preventaive, when i was a teen we lost our family palmeranians to heartworms. mys sister is a vet and i love my shepherds too much to just let them die like that, i would recommend that if you have ever been bitten by a mosquito that you live in an area were your dog can get heartworms. :wub:

 

[shawnmccarthy87]

Zowie gets the heartworm treat once a month and always will. Flea and Tick During the Summer. Not taking any chances!!!

 

[Akk578]

Bandit gets heart worm perventative tablet one a month

 

[JustMeLeslie]

A long time ago I had a dog die of heartworms and I can tell you it is something you do not want to go through. I got the dog already heavy positive and there was nothing we could do by that point. You do not want to see your dog dying of something you could have prevented so easily. The vets here in Texas definately recommend you give heartworm meds. I give Interceptor every month year round and all of my dogs think it is a treat. Heartworm preventative is a big deal here in Southeast Texas. I think in the warmer regions the vets all recommend it as to a place that has a colder climate probably would not put such an emphasis on giving it.

 

[GSD Fan]

My last dog was on a heart worm medicine thing. I forgot what it was called, but it was a red square that you put in the dog's food. My dog would actually eat the medicine seperately, like it didn't taste bad!

I think every dog should have some type of preventative, regardless of location. It's better to be safe, than sorry.

And my next puppy will get it too.

 

[Kaidsmom]

yes i treat my guys with interceptor.

 

[vicky2200]

I use revolution ( it goes on their back) and now they give you pills to deworm them. I dont use it once the snow starts to fly.

 

[Zoeys mom]

I may have already posted this on here but I've just switched to Ivomec 1% for cattle/swine liquid. I give each 90 lb dog .5 of a cc and so far so good. We did get Zoe tested for whatever the gene is that can cause reactions to ivomectrin and she is clear so she got her first dose today Super cheap like $40 something a bottle and will last years- huge savings and same results

 

[ChzanneAndZeus]

Living in the Mississippi Delta, YES!!! If you don't give it to your pet by 6months in Mississippi (especially near the river!), the vet is shocked if the dog doesn't have heart worms. It is SO common, even with preventatives. Most people will even give their bigger dogs horse heart worm tablets. I don't, but I haven't ruled it out for the future! But when I lived in Minnesota, NO, I did not do anything for heart worms for my pet.

 

[Castlemaid]

I think every dog should have some type of preventative, regardless of location. It's better to be safe, than sorry.

No fleas nor heartworm here - too cold and too dry.

So not medicating/using any chemical preventative.

Though if I lived in a warmer climate where there was a slight possibility of heartworm infection, I'd have to think about the issues carefully before medicating.

 

[timothy_sinn@charter.net]

Kendall & Annabell

I lost one dog to heart worms in the sixties when it was not a popular subject with pet owners.

When it was apparent there was a problem we took Snoopy to the vet. He was tested for heart worms and when it came back positive we lost him a day later.
The last two days were awful but I thought we could save him. The Vet said it is unlikely he would survive the treatment but I wanted to take that chance. He died the next day when the treatment was to begin.

I should of had him put down because he suffered so much that last 24 to 48 hours. We had no education in those days of heart worms.

Where I live the risk is very high of getting heart worm infection during the summer months.

I treat my dogs year round, I want to cover all the bases.

 

[JessWelsch]

Heartworm, flea and tick preventative for Jordan.

 

[GSD_Xander]

This is something that I've been trying to decide for a few weeks now. I know my vet will probably push it but from the research I've done we live in a pretty low risk area here in the PacNW.

From my understanding it is spread by mosquitos and where we live now there really isn't a problem - I see maybe a couple mosquitos a year which surprises me since we get so much rainfall.

I know I'm going to be getting Xander most, if not all, of the vaccines since we will be in the outdoors so much and traveling (Idaho, etc) quite a bit and I don't want to take a chance. I do remember the mosquitos in ID being monstrous quite honestly but I have never seen a case there or where I live but, of course, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

 

[Zoeys mom]

HW's are contracted even in low risk areas and something you want to prevent regardless. You can have your pup tested for a gene that makes them sensitive to ivomectrin which is the active ingredient in many, but not all HW preventatives. If he proves not to carry the gene you can purchase Ivomec 1% for cattle and swine dosing 1/10 of a cc per 20 lbs. of body weight safely and prevent HW's all together. With syringe and bottle it's less than $50 and will last years for one dog- totally worth it. My vet charged me a whopping $60+ dollars for the test, but vet care is extra high here

 

[GSD_Xander]

HW's are contracted even in low risk areas and something you want to prevent regardless. You can have your pup tested for a gene that makes them sensitive to ivomectrin which is the active ingredient in many, but not all HW preventatives. If he proves not to carry the gene you can purchase Ivomec 1% for cattle and swine dosing 1/10 of a cc per 20 lbs. of body weight safely and prevent HW's all together. With syringe and bottle it's less than $50 and will last years for one dog- totally worth it. My vet charged me a whopping $60+ dollars for the test, but vet care is extra high here

That's true - it is very easy to administer the HW and I did it for years with horses - gave them their own vaccines too...it's so much cheaper going through a feed store.

The horses would get ivermectin (if I recall) is that the same one you would give a puppy or would I need the Ivomec?

Either way I'm sure it's less than the monthly HW meds.

 

[Melina]

Koda came to me with HW and obviously needed to be treated. I was shocked when I found out he came back positive, living in AZ, though apparently it's on the rise here. I don't know his history, where he came from, anything...But since he has already had HW, even living in AZ, I can't risk his getting it again and damaging his heart and lungs. So yes, he's on preventative (As is Riley now) and will be the rest of his life.

 

[Lesley1905]

Both of my dogs are on heartworm. Here in Florida it's a must!