Comments on: PetMeds®: Heartworms in Dogs and Cats http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/ Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:26:47 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-4255 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:30:34 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-4255 I am one of those vets who offers phone consults on this as well. I am one of those vets who offers phone consults on this as well.

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-4254 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:30:09 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-4254 Hi Betty: Yes year round continuous iverhart may clear your dog in 1-2 years. Not 100 percent though. Other holistic options do exist like black walnut and other herbs, but you would need to consult with a holistic vet. See websites www.AHVMA.org www.AVH.org www.drpitcairn.com to learn about vets who offer other treatment options. Many offer phone consults. Hi Betty:
Yes year round continuous iverhart may clear your dog in 1-2 years. Not 100 percent though. Other holistic options do exist like black walnut and other herbs, but you would need to consult with a holistic vet. See websites http://www.AHVMA.org http://www.AVH.org http://www.drpitcairn.com to learn about vets who offer other treatment options. Many offer phone consults.

]]> By: Betty http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-4242 Betty Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:33:23 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-4242 I have 5 rescued dogs, all behaving normally, maintaining healthy weight, and doing great! However, the 2 much older ones, 1 large retriever mix, 1 small chi mix, tested heartworm positive about 3 months ago, and the vet chose to switch from Revolution to Iverhart Plus instead of harsher treatments, saying sometimes it will clear up on a future test. Do dogs ever become 'heartworm free' just on Iverhart alone? I am supposed to give it religiously all year to all 5 dogs, and all are thriving. The two that tested 'positive' are doing great in every other way, especially given their ages! So they may actually turn up 'heart-worm free' if the meds are continuous? I ask because in years past, I had heard that only harsh, sometimes dangerous treatments could cure heartworms. Please help with my confusion!! Thank you so much! Betty I have 5 rescued dogs, all behaving normally, maintaining healthy weight, and doing great!

However, the 2 much older ones, 1 large retriever mix, 1 small chi mix, tested heartworm positive about 3 months ago, and the vet chose to switch from Revolution to Iverhart Plus instead of harsher treatments, saying sometimes it will clear up on a future test.

Do dogs ever become ‘heartworm free’ just on Iverhart alone? I am supposed to give it religiously all year to all 5 dogs, and all are thriving.

The two that tested ‘positive’ are doing great in every other way, especially given their ages!

So they may actually turn up ‘heart-worm free’ if the meds are continuous? I ask because in years past, I had heard that only harsh, sometimes dangerous treatments could cure heartworms. Please help with my confusion!!

Thank you so much!
Betty

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-2613 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Tue, 18 Jan 2011 01:51:28 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-2613 Usually vets will use nemex to get rid of active infections and then revolution as preventative but you can try the revolution by itself and then recheck the stool in 3-4 weeks to see if still have the worms. Either way is fine. Usually vets will use nemex to get rid of active infections and then revolution as preventative but you can try the revolution by itself and then recheck the stool in 3-4 weeks to see if still have the worms. Either way is fine.

]]> By: christen http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-2582 christen Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:26:10 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-2582 I have 3 three year old dog, Boston terrier. She is very healthy. My vet has put her on revolution and nemex Tabs. The tabs are for roundworm and hookworm. My question is, does she need both to keep her safe? I thought the revolution does it all. She is a little over 20lbs. We live around Boston Ma. I have asked the vet about this, but he gives me the run around. I'm confused, can you help me with this question? Thank you Christen I have 3 three year old dog, Boston terrier. She is very healthy. My vet has put her on revolution and nemex Tabs. The tabs are for roundworm and hookworm. My question is, does she need both to keep her safe? I thought the revolution does it all. She is a little over 20lbs. We live around Boston Ma. I have asked the vet about this, but he gives me the run around. I’m confused, can you help me with this question? Thank you Christen

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-2173 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Thu, 30 Sep 2010 02:54:55 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-2173 Thanks for clarifying my point. Thanks for clarifying my point.

]]> By: Heartgard http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-2167 Heartgard Thu, 30 Sep 2010 01:53:11 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-2167 Yeah, as Doc Dym mentioned, I too have seen a false positive, which two of my pooches actually. They certainly happen, so I would definitely take her back in, Kay. Yeah, as Doc Dym mentioned, I too have seen a false positive, which two of my pooches actually. They certainly happen, so I would definitely take her back in, Kay.

]]> By: tony@Advantage Multi http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-2026 tony@Advantage Multi Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:43:24 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-2026 Pet meds seem to be the only mean to get rid of heartworms. If you find another way to ease the worm then you are welcome to share with people. Pet meds seem to be the only mean to get rid of heartworms. If you find another way to ease the worm then you are welcome to share with people.

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1166 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:09:07 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-1166 HI Kay: I would FIRST have your dog retested to confirm if true heartworm positive, as I occasionally see false positive tests on in house heartworm tests done at vet office. So when you have test redone, have it sent to outside lab like Idex labs or Antech diagnostics, which most vets use as their outside lab. As for decision about using iverhart, I suppose your vet feels that given age that treatment with immiticide injections(the approved treatment for heartworm infected dogs) would be too risky but I would ask your vet about that. IF pet not candidate for immiticide treatment, then certainly monthly iverhart treatment is good second option as with continuous use after 1-2 years most of not all adult heartworms die off or become inactivated. I am a bit perplexed about choice of antibiotic SMZ. Given that many heartworm positive dogs have parasite called Wolbachia infecting them at same time, antibiotic of choice is usually doxycycline in that case. But I would ask your vet to confirm test result first and about immiticide issue. HI Kay: I would FIRST have your dog retested to confirm if true heartworm positive, as I occasionally see false positive tests on in house heartworm tests done at vet office. So when you have test redone, have it sent to outside lab like Idex labs or Antech diagnostics, which most vets use as their outside lab. As for decision about using iverhart, I suppose your vet feels that given age that treatment with immiticide injections(the approved treatment for heartworm infected dogs) would be too risky but I would ask your vet about that. IF pet not candidate for immiticide treatment, then certainly monthly iverhart treatment is good second option as with continuous use after 1-2 years most of not all adult heartworms die off or become inactivated. I am a bit perplexed about choice of antibiotic SMZ. Given that many heartworm positive dogs have parasite called Wolbachia infecting them at same time, antibiotic of choice is usually doxycycline in that case. But I would ask your vet to confirm test result first and about immiticide issue.

]]> By: kayownerofsadiemae http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1151 kayownerofsadiemae Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:42:07 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-1151 i rescued a dog she is 12 and in the last 3 months she has lost 15lbs i took her to her vet and i was rtold that she had heartworms he gave me Smz Tmp Tab 960mg and panacur and iverhart plus. i do"not understand should i get her weight back up before i start her on the iverhart plus or should i start giving her them now. i do not want to lose her she is very playfull and i think that i can hold on to her for 2 to 3 more years. please help me how i go about treating her. thank you kay i rescued a dog she is 12 and in the last 3 months she has lost 15lbs i took her to her vet and i was rtold that she had heartworms he gave me Smz Tmp Tab 960mg and panacur and iverhart plus. i do”not understand should i get her weight back up before i start her on the iverhart plus or should i start giving her them now. i do not want to lose her she is very playfull and i think that i can hold on to her for 2 to 3 more years. please help me how i go about treating her. thank you kay

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