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Old 06-13-2012, 11:56 PM   #1
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heartworms becoming immune

Took the boys to the Vet today for their yearly, while waiting I was talking to a local duck hunter and asked him what he was doing there? His answer was heartworms, I was shocked as I knew he takes very good care of his dogs. We both have our dogs on heartguard plus. I had both my dogs tested and both are positive for heartworms. Vet told me there has been a rash of cases lately even one of his dogs has them!!! Since they show no outward symptoms we decided to go with the "soft kill" program of doxycycline. 4 pills twice daily for one month then no pills for 2 months for two years!! So please get your dogs tested even if on a preventive program!! $15 could save your dogs life.
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Old 06-14-2012, 10:47 AM   #2
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How often is the test? My dog tested negative in March so is once a year the recommendation or is your vet saying more often now?
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Old 06-14-2012, 11:15 AM   #3
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Had one dog tested in Feb and was negative. He didn't say how often to test because they already tested positive. We live in a high prone area so knowing what I know now I would test every 3 months. And since being treated he wants to test again in 6 months. My vet has a walk in clinic every day its $17 for wellness check and heartworms test is $15 pretty cheap and simple, take a lil blood and 5 min til results. If you live in a high prone area ( in the south or midwest, near rivers lakes etc... they are carried by mosquitos) I'd call your vet and ask what they recommend. They have had so many cases I got the last 2 bottles of meds.
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Old 06-14-2012, 11:17 AM   #4
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Good information cootr. I think I'll bring him in before we go camping next week.
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Old 06-14-2012, 12:48 PM   #5
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My Vet's Response:

Mr Amadio,

This would be news to me. A veterinarian that works for the company that manufactures HG Plus recently gave our office staff a presentation - there was no mention of resistance. And the (Veterinary) Heartworm Society has not made mention/emailed me about any resistance. And that organization is really on top of their preventatives. I wonder about the validity of this posting? I also wonder where the HG Plus was obtained (reputable pharmacy or uncertain online?) I know there is a mention of a vet in the posting that I was sent - but I am having trouble believing this posting is real/valid.

Dr. Lisa M.

On Thu, Jun 14, 2012 at 12:51 PM, Louis Amadio Sr <herk7769@gmail.com> wrote:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f90/heartworms-becoming-immune-24768
.html


Have you folks heard of this?

Bella is on once a month Frontline and Interceptor (but switching this month
to Heartguard Plus due to availability at McGuire AFB Vet).
Is this enough and how often should she be checked?
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Old 06-14-2012, 01:02 PM   #6
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http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...nSfM2Euw13R42A
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Old 06-14-2012, 01:19 PM   #7
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This one is more informative. I'm not going on a holy roller campaign saying that meds don't work anymore and not saying anyone is accusing that. I just want people to be aware of mine and others situations for the well being of their pets. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...louo1sffCQxmJA. sorry can't seem to clean up the links.
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Old 06-14-2012, 01:22 PM   #8
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I have had a dog get heartworm while being on heart guard. (Which came from the vet) I don't think the worms building up resistance has everything to do with it, but viruses seem to have a canning ability to adapt and overcome, so it wouldn't surprise me if they are building up a resistance to the medication. Heart guard is a preventative medication. To me that means it will help prevent the worms, not a guarantee that they will never get them. A veterinarian from heart guard saying your dog will not get worms while on their product would be like my doctor saying I will never have a heart attack if I take one aspirin a day.
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Old 06-14-2012, 01:29 PM   #9
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We have a yellow lab that we give Ivomec to once a month. It is much cheaper than HG. I know lots of people that use this and have had great luck with it. My lab is 11 years old and sleeps in an outside kennel.
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Old 06-14-2012, 01:41 PM   #10
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We Snowbird, so this is way more than a passing interest.
Still investigating.
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Old 06-14-2012, 02:31 PM   #11
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Our vet informed us that heartworm is no longer just a threat in southern climes, but said that instances of heartworm are increasing in the north. We paid $30 for the heartworm test in May which was negative. This is money well-spent.
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Old 06-15-2012, 07:29 AM   #12
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Made calls to several vets in my area (central il) to see if they were having any cases like this. Four out of six have had cases of positive heartworms with heartguard. None have had any cases with Interceptor. They are reporting cases to the pharmaceutical company making heartguard. So if you can show you have bought heartguard at a vets office ( NOT ONLINE ) for the last 12 months prior to your dog becoming infected the pharm company will pay for treatment is what they all told me. It may just be a regional thing, but you have heard the saying " a butterfly in Africa flaps its wings and causes a tornado in Kansas "
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Old 06-15-2012, 09:23 AM   #13
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I just called my vet. They have not seen anything unusual with Heartguard. And, by the way, she told me that Intercepter is not available this year so its not an option anyway. Something to do with manufacturing problems at the company that they hope to solve for next year.

She recommended I keep him on the Heartguard and get tested at the normal time.
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Old 06-15-2012, 01:36 PM   #14
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Hmmm they never mentioned not having intercepter.
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Old 07-22-2012, 08:24 PM   #15
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Lost Howie the big lab Tuesday. I'm on the road won't be home for another week. Gf had to bury him by herself, it really sucks to be powerless to help. Bear our other lab cries every night its heartbreaking. We are still blessed with one so we will mourn for awhile and hopefully get things back to normal soon.
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Old 07-22-2012, 11:12 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cootr68 View Post
Lost Howie the big lab Tuesday. I'm on the road won't be home for another week. Gf had to bury him by herself, it really sucks to be powerless to help. Bear our other lab cries every night its heartbreaking. We are still blessed with one so we will mourn for awhile and hopefully get things back to normal soon.
My heart breaks for you. Our deepest condolences for your loss.
It is even worse when you can't be there to console your family.
Lou
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