That is a lot of good information JulieM. I was always made to feel like I was such an oddball questioning the safety of the preventatives when no one else seemed to. I have often thought that someday mosquitos will be found to have been able to transmit a lot more dangerous diseases because they suck blood! It's a hard decision to make because you don't know if the vet med area has choosen to MAKE heartworm an issue in order to find a medication they say everyone must have just to make more money. It's the same battle those of us go through in deciding whether or not to have a natural childbirth or a medicated delivery. Or to vacinate our children, but if we don't they won't be allowed in to any school or facility. What to do? I totally agree with your advise, I also believe the risk from the preventative is far greater than the risk from actually getting the disease, but that one chance is just so scary. Maybe we have all been made to feel it is scary. I too believe in natural and homeopathic methods as opposed to just opting for the first available dangerous drug. It's a difficult decision because it seems sometimes trying to avoid such side effects as you say like kidney deterioration, then your boxer comes up with a brain tumor or some other unrelated disease. One thing is for sure is that dogs are living longer than any other time in history, and that may be because people care more or it may be all of the advances in vet med. I do know I've seen more homepathic and natural vets pop up in my area and I think that is a good thing. I have been thinking of taking my Bingo to one actually. Anyone else with any thoughts on giving the preventative?
Heartworm Medicine
- Thread starter Nifftea
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JulieM
Boxer Insane
First of all, I'm not sure that's true - Boxers used to routinely live 12-14+ years, now many breeders feel you're lucky if you can get one past 10. Secondly, you also have to consider Quality of Life. Yes, that 11-year old Boxer may still be alive, but is he barely able to walk? How many medications - for pain, arthritis, thyroid, heart, etc. - is he on? I, and many others, believe that dogs are living shorter lives of lower quality, ever since the introduction of commercial dog food and yearly vaccinations.
And be sure your homeopathic vet really knows what they're talking about! Holistic/homeopathic medicine is becoming "trendy" right now, and many vets will use this term when it is not truly what they are practicing. (For example, a vet that prescribes a homeopathic remedy to be given after a vaccination - before there are any reactions - is not a true homeopath.)
Brutus and Amaya's Mom
Boxer Insane
I personally use revolution. I have used it for the last 2 years and had absolutly no problem. My dogs are heart, flea, tick, mange and ear mite free and very healthy.
Marie Christine
Boxer Buddy
Sentinel
Brutus and Remus take Sentinel Flavor Tabs(tm). I think they cost Can$10.00 per tablet. My cost for both dogs is about Can$120.00 for a year. Each dog oops sorry, each baby gets one tab once a month for six months. Sentinel is produced by Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc. We have never had any problems. Good Luck
MC
Brutus and Remus take Sentinel Flavor Tabs(tm). I think they cost Can$10.00 per tablet. My cost for both dogs is about Can$120.00 for a year. Each dog oops sorry, each baby gets one tab once a month for six months. Sentinel is produced by Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc. We have never had any problems. Good Luck
MC
dan_pietrusa
Boxer Pal
heartgaurd - frontline
I recently saw an add on tv for ordering different petmeds. www.1888petmeds.com or 1-888-petmeds. You can purchase both heartgard, frontline, advantage, along with many others. Just thought I would post if anyone is interested.
I recently saw an add on tv for ordering different petmeds. www.1888petmeds.com or 1-888-petmeds. You can purchase both heartgard, frontline, advantage, along with many others. Just thought I would post if anyone is interested.
Kysha
Completely Boxer Crazy
In Ontario, Canada we have limited summer months and less than perfect conditions for heartwrom outbreaks!
We personally do not give the monthly heartworm prevention medications. We do a yearly blood test (ususally in March) to test for heartworm, and the have yet to be positive.
We chose to do this for two reasons - 1. beacause Owen had a sever reaction to a heartworm pill the first time that he had one, and 2. most importatnly we did not want to give meds to our dogs that are in VERY low risk of contracting heartworm, and if they did get it it's treatable (if caught early of course).
We are fotunate that our vet allows us to do this and is supportive in our decision to not give heartworm prevention medication. He has provided us with ALLOT of information before we made our final decision. We had to search very hard to find a vet in our area that would "take us on".
We also do not do yearly vaccinations. We do a teeter (sp?) to see if we need the vaccination or not, and then make a decision which vaccine to give...
This has caused us some issues when we go to board our dogs, or attend training classes, because thier rules are for all dogs to be vacinated, and this includes Bordatella (which we do not give either). Our vet writes us letters (for free) to state that our dogs are healthy and are "protected", therefore do not cause a health risk to the other animals. Ususally this suffices, but if it doesn't then we go else where.
Again, this is a personal choice that we have made for our dogs (and ourselves) not to over medicate. In making this decision we have to stay on top of things and still have them tested on a regular basis to ensure that nothing pops up!
We personally do not give the monthly heartworm prevention medications. We do a yearly blood test (ususally in March) to test for heartworm, and the have yet to be positive.
We chose to do this for two reasons - 1. beacause Owen had a sever reaction to a heartworm pill the first time that he had one, and 2. most importatnly we did not want to give meds to our dogs that are in VERY low risk of contracting heartworm, and if they did get it it's treatable (if caught early of course).
We are fotunate that our vet allows us to do this and is supportive in our decision to not give heartworm prevention medication. He has provided us with ALLOT of information before we made our final decision. We had to search very hard to find a vet in our area that would "take us on".
We also do not do yearly vaccinations. We do a teeter (sp?) to see if we need the vaccination or not, and then make a decision which vaccine to give...
This has caused us some issues when we go to board our dogs, or attend training classes, because thier rules are for all dogs to be vacinated, and this includes Bordatella (which we do not give either). Our vet writes us letters (for free) to state that our dogs are healthy and are "protected", therefore do not cause a health risk to the other animals. Ususally this suffices, but if it doesn't then we go else where.
Again, this is a personal choice that we have made for our dogs (and ourselves) not to over medicate. In making this decision we have to stay on top of things and still have them tested on a regular basis to ensure that nothing pops up!
buddy'smom
Boxer Pal
Kysha
First off I commend you on making an informed decision regarding your babies. And secondly I commend you on ensuring that you do the annual tests required to protect them.
I too live in Ontario Canada, and I find it to be extremly hot, humid and perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. We are usually fighting off the little bugs in May right through until around October. In fact, this year I killed a mosquito in Dec in our house LOL. They are warning of an influx of them this year due to our mild winter. (I am not happy, as I react not to well to mosquitoe bites
) For that reason, I have chose to use prevention. However, like you, should Kailee start showing any adverse affects to it, I would do as you have done. I just tend to err on the side of caution. We do camp and spend some amount of time in the Long Point area. As well, weekends can be spent in the Muskokas at a cottage, and we actually get driven indoors from dinner time onwards by mosquitoes.
I do however respect and understand everyones opinion on here, and I am so happy that you do the follow up testing. My fear is that some people may think they are doing right by not using prevention, but not do the follow up testing annualy, and I am glad you mentioned your testing in your post.
Looking forward to meeting you sometime at a bash, if we ever get it pulled off :D
Jean
First off I commend you on making an informed decision regarding your babies. And secondly I commend you on ensuring that you do the annual tests required to protect them.
I too live in Ontario Canada, and I find it to be extremly hot, humid and perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. We are usually fighting off the little bugs in May right through until around October. In fact, this year I killed a mosquito in Dec in our house LOL. They are warning of an influx of them this year due to our mild winter. (I am not happy, as I react not to well to mosquitoe bites
) For that reason, I have chose to use prevention. However, like you, should Kailee start showing any adverse affects to it, I would do as you have done. I just tend to err on the side of caution. We do camp and spend some amount of time in the Long Point area. As well, weekends can be spent in the Muskokas at a cottage, and we actually get driven indoors from dinner time onwards by mosquitoes. I do however respect and understand everyones opinion on here, and I am so happy that you do the follow up testing. My fear is that some people may think they are doing right by not using prevention, but not do the follow up testing annualy, and I am glad you mentioned your testing in your post.
Looking forward to meeting you sometime at a bash, if we ever get it pulled off :D
Jean
buddy'smom
Boxer Pal
Just as an added note, it takes an infested dog to be bitten by a mosquito for the mosquito to carry the virus to other canines. So I would say, mosquito population although is a factor, it is not the main culprit. Here is an easy read/short explanation of how it all works. Jean
http://www.avma.org/care4pets/b2b4.htm
http://www.avma.org/care4pets/b2b4.htm
Kysha
Completely Boxer Crazy
Jean - thanks for the support.
This was not and easy decision and should not be taken lightly. Heartworm is very serious and sometimes deadly. If someone does choose to not give the prevention meds then the MUST follow up with regualr testing, otherwise you are not doing any service to your loved fur babies.
Thanks again Jean for reiterating the importance of testing, and that this is definatley not the method for everyone
It sounds as though you have many more mosquitos than we do in the Ottawa area. Is it true that the mosquitos are really the size of birds in the Muskokas!!:D I bet at times they feel as though they are!
We too enjoy our cottage every weekend, although it's not on water, it definatley has it share of mosquitos too - I can't say that I have ever seen a mosquito here past October, I don't know what I would do if I saw one in December!
Can't wait for the summer bash too! Perhaps I should pack some mosquito repelant!
This was not and easy decision and should not be taken lightly. Heartworm is very serious and sometimes deadly. If someone does choose to not give the prevention meds then the MUST follow up with regualr testing, otherwise you are not doing any service to your loved fur babies.
Thanks again Jean for reiterating the importance of testing, and that this is definatley not the method for everyone
It sounds as though you have many more mosquitos than we do in the Ottawa area. Is it true that the mosquitos are really the size of birds in the Muskokas!!:D I bet at times they feel as though they are!
We too enjoy our cottage every weekend, although it's not on water, it definatley has it share of mosquitos too - I can't say that I have ever seen a mosquito here past October, I don't know what I would do if I saw one in December!
Can't wait for the summer bash too! Perhaps I should pack some mosquito repelant!
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