It is also worthwhile according to the info on the Bulloved Bulldogs
site to get some information on the weather in your area. And from that
you can figure out what months you might want to give the heartworm
stuff. The microfilaria only develop to the stage where a larvae that
can grow into an adult heartworm if transferred to a dog IF the
temperatures stay above a certain temperature overnight for a certain
number of consecutive days. What this means in practical terms is that
there are only a very few areas in teh U.S. where, if used at all,
heartworm meds need to be given year round.
I have found from my time spent sitting in vet offices that even where
spring temps are far too low for mosquitoes to even be present or
active, heartworm meds are handed out for use months in advance of when
they could possibly be of any help.
If you choose to use the heartworm products at all, you can minimize
your dogs toxic load from them, not only with the minimum dosing, but by
only using them when there is any possibility of a dog actually being
exposed.
Pitcairn (Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and
Cats" states that "An American Veterinary Medical Association report on
adverse drug reactions showed that 65 percent of all drug reactions
reported and 48 percent of all reported deaths caused by drug reactions
were from heartworm preventive medicine." I won't go on quoting, but
reading the heartworm chapter of this book is very interesting. In
general Pitcairn also states the importance of a healthy immune system.
HTH,
sol
Thanks for reminding me of the report: I had it in my archives. I
contacted Novartis and spoke with one of their staff veterinarians and
learned that the reason the amount of active ingredient is so high in
Interceptor is to ensure it kills intestinal parasites. The
heartworms are killed with the 1/5 dose. Makes it tough when you're
only interested in treating for heartworm. After speaking with their
vet, I would feel safe cutting the pills to approximate the 1/5
dosage. He didn't suggest that I do this, but he didn't gasp either,
so... Our Bichon boys have been clear of HW for over 5 years, making
it a tough decision whether to give them the meds. Of course, the
treatment is drastic.
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