linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
We took one of our dogs in for her shots and heartworm check and she was positive.
They said to bring our other dog in to have him checked and he was positive too.
We have been 100 percent compliant with their monthly heartworm preventative but something went wrong, possibly some meds that were recalled a few months ago because they were defective.
I don't think my older dog will survive the tx.
We also got a puppy about a month ago from the pound. She was about 12 weeks old when we got her, and had not been given any preventative until we got her.
I guess they can't test them til they are 7 or 8 months old to see if they are positive, so there's a strong possibility she has them too.
I am just sick over this.
Has anyone been through this and what did you do? I am wondering what our options are at this point.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
Oh no! I know nothing about heartworms, I just want to say I'm sorry and wish all your pups the best.
It's hard to care for sick animals when we are sick ourselves. The worry, concern and fear are difficult to handle. Please take good care of yourself. You've done everything right. This is just terrible luck.
Humaworm does a pet formula. You might check their website.
posted
Treatment is usually 4 months and during that time the dog has to be in a crate with little movement so that a disintegrating heartworm does not block a blood vessel.
Heartworm pills are not 100% but it is strange that both of your dogs are positive. I would get another heartworm test at a different vet before I proceeded with treatment to make sure they are correct. What heartworm preventative did you use?
If both dogs go into the vets for treatment, perhaps they could be together and that might help your older dog get through it.
Please let us know how this all turns out.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96223 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
faithful, the vet does two tests, one in the office and then they send one off to confirm.
We should get those results this week. They said they had only had one dog to ever have a false positive.
We used Frontline which we got from the vet. Had never had problems til now.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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susank
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22150
posted
I did not think Frontline was used as a HW preventative.
FWIW a dog I adopted was HW positive. We opted for the "slow-kill" method - suggested by the vet - which is not the dangerous/restrictive Arsenic treatment.
Research the "slow-kill" method. ie using the regular Heartguard monthly preventative etc.
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i never heard of frontline for heartworm...you need the little chewey thing once a month right?
i didnt know about that tx-that sounds awful. my dog would have a hard time with that. i dont know if i would put an older dog thru that.
and i guess it would change a puppys personality.
i would look into what susank is saying about an easier tx
good luck to all of you.
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Frontline is what the vet prescribes as a heartworm preventative.
Have been using it for years and just recently had this problem.
I will check into the slow kill method, I really don't think my oldest dog will tolerate the faster tx.
My other dog is no spring chicken either, so she could have problems too.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Frontline is a topical for fleas and ticks, not heartworm prevention. That is probably why your dogs have heartworm. It doesn't prevent mosquito bites which is how the dogs get the heartworm infection.
All heartworm prevention is some form of tablet. I was a vet tech for many years and if your dog is older, you want the slow kill method. If you can put your dogs together for treatment, your older dog might do okay.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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Ellen101
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35432
posted
Frontline is definitely not for heartworm prevention. If this is what your vet told you to use then find another vet. Is it possible you misunderstood?
Posts: 1748 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2011
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
I'm sorry. The heartworm medicine is called Heartguard.
I get it confused with the flea and tick stuff.
Didn't mean to confuse everyone.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
How are your dogs doing- anything new?
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Did you give it to them every month like clockwork? The statistics are low that a dog can get heartworm even if you never miss a dose. If you are in a warm climate, it needs to be given all year long.
It is odd that both dogs got it. If you got the heartguard from the vet, heartguard has some guarantee that if you dog gets heartworm anyway, they will pay for some of the treatment, but that is only if you bought the medication from your veterinarian.
I buy mine outside as I have 4 dogs but I use intercepter spectrum.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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