Does anyone know of a good alternative to veterinarian-prescribed heartworm meds? I have a Boston Terrier who has seizures several days after the heartworm meds. He never has seizures when he is not taking heartworm prevention.
Also, he is on phenobarbital but when we combine it with ivermectin, he turns into a complete inert lump, poor guy-- so far it has been ten days and he is still depressed and lethargic.
I have read that black walnut can prevent / treat heartworms; does anybody know?
I am really worried about him -- I don't want him to get heartworms -- but his last two seizures landed him in the hospital for three days and we almost lost him.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
AWWW... so sad. Did you try Googling "natural heartworm preventatives?"
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Hope you can find a naturopathic-type of vet.
Black walnut is VERY hard for me to take, causes all kinds of stomach pain . . . so I'd hate to see dog go through that. And, for me, black walnut and some other harsh herbs would lower the seizure threshold.
Gluten in dog food has been found to cause seizures for many dogs, too.
Be sure there is no added glutamate or glutamic acid to any foods or supplements, too. That can lower seizure threshold to danger levels. Black walnuts (nuts, in general) are naturally are high in glutamic acid.
Hope this gets better. Poor dog. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Google: dogs, seizures, gluten -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Heartworm Drug Shortage Prompts Use of Cheaper, Safer Therapy - by Dr. Becker
Mercola's website - November 22, 2011 -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Can dogs be given a magnesium IV? If so, that could be the best emergency treatment for seizures.
Same with on-going preventative. Explore that for dogs as it's the best basic seizure prevention help for people. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You might also ask all the (human-treating) NDs in your area who they use for veterinary care or who they've heard good things about. -
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
i have a very small dog and live up north so skeeter season is shorter...she has had trouble with flea and other meds so i use as little as possible...i also limit her outside time and exposure to skeeters...is that possible with him? some dogs really need outside time but others dont
good luck
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Diatomaceous earth (food grade only). Whenever I get chest pain, I take it and it goes away. I also give this to my cats. If your dog is on medication though, space it out (not every day). My cat was on medication and I think the combo actually gave her a seizure, so I spaced it out and she's fine. She looks great.
ive been reading buhners book for new info on new problem and i have come across his recc for dogs for lepto and some parasites...did not see specifically for heart worm...but it could be there-maybe check that out. he has site where he answers questions
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
wow, so many great responses. Keebler, I didn't know about the glutamate. That is really good to know. I make all Spike's food, but he does take a multivitamin so I will check it for glutamate. Also, good to know about the black walnut. I don't want to add to his misery!
Tutu and Keebs, I will check out the links right now. I haven't been online in a few days because I've been at the vet a lot.
Gael, do you know if the Humaworm hits heartworms?
Ipkayak, I wish I could limit Spike's outdoor time but he loves going in and out his doggy door -- he is the boss of his yard, or so says he to the chipmunks!
Thanks, everybody, for all the suggestions. I'm going to take a close look at everything you all said and let you know what we do.
Posted by cottonbrain (Member # 13769) on :
Keebler, these are the ingredients in his vitamins. What do you think?
Catgirl, do you mean I can put diatomaceous earth in my dog's food? does it kill heartworms, or other parasites?
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Ip, I should have worded my response better. I'm not for sure it hits heart worms other than it takes my chest pain away. I think it scrubs arteries and shreds some parasites.
Cotton, yes, directly in the wet food (not dry, the fine powder can destroy lung tissue if inhaled so it must be wet food). It does kill parasites (single cell), and have read that it shreds others, but I'm not sure which kind. Read the testimonials here, just be sure to get food grade only though:
The other thing thing to consider is to give your boy the heart guard (or whatever brand) less often. They say 30 days but I have been told by vets 45 days is good. You cannot go past 45 days though. And depending where you live you may not need to give it year round. But it may have less of an effect cumalitivly. What about switching brands?
Could you skip the phenol barbital the day you give the heart worm meds?
Good luck. Let us know what you decide or find out.
Posted by Anthropologista (Member # 35483) on :
I would definitely ask a naturopathic or integrative vet. Is the risk of heartworm in your area so bad that it's worth the risk of causing seizures? Good luck!
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Garlic (may be worth a shot)! Found this from a post under Medical.
- I am no expert of any kind. No professional of any kind.
Just from my own study, I did not notice anything in the vitamins that might be too excitatory - but I'm no expert.
Individual reactions can vary, too.
Hope this works out. -
Posted by KentuckyWoman (Member # 38894) on :
I talked to my vet just a couple of weeks ago about my Ginger.. She vomits bc of the heartworm meds. I asked what the real danger was to just take her off the heartworm meds altogether. She's inside most of the time so I don't know if that matters.
He's an "old school" vet and I really appreciate him.. He said it probably wouldn't hurt at all and just have her tested once a year to make sure she's not got them (cost about $15)
She also had the head-shaking neurological-looking issues with it too, so I took her off the heartworm meds.
I have a hard time with any pushing of drugs and preventatives by big Pharma and that includes veterinary stuff too.
I keep Ginger on Flea/Tick monthly and her rabies (by law) and only get the vaccinations etc if I absolutely HAVE to put her in a kennel. (They require alot of junk for kenneling.)