Heartworm
Heartworm disease:
Is your
dog really at risk?
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With the incidence
of heartworm so low in his area, Kruesi
worries more about the toxic effects of
the preventatives. He suspects there may
be a link between these insecticides and
fatty tumors known as lipomas, which have
been popping up in dogs with more frequency
over the last few years. Other vets worry
how long-term effects of these drugs,
in combination with overvaccination and
poor diet, may potentially lead to liver
disease and cancer.
Kruesi feels it’s
important for every guardian to do some
of their own research, even if their own
vet isn’t particularly open to it.
“Some vets are still threatened
by people going on the net and have been
giving only select information to clients,”
he says. He still sees dogs who have been
put on heartworm preventatives 12 months
out of the year, even though there’s
virtually no risk. “We don’t
even have mosquitoes for half that time.
I have a problem with the ethics of that.
As a vet, it’s up to me to give
people the confidence to understand how
the body works, so they realize there’s
a better way to take care of themselves
and their animals.
Getting the facts
and making informed choices about heartworm
disease is just one way you can take charge
of your dog’s health.
Conventional
Heartworm Preventatives
Diethylcarbamazine
(DEC)
Dosage – 5.5
to 6.5 mg/kg daily
Prevents the development of the immature
worm
Dogs must have a negative bloodtest for
microfilaria before starting
Dogs may experience side effects including
diarrhea, vomiting, depression, lethargy
if they use this drug and have heartworm
microfilaria in their system
Ivermectin (Heartguard)
Dosage – 6 ug/kg of body weight
once monthly
Ivermectin kills the microfilaria
Note – some collies or collie-cross
dogs may have a sensitivity to invermectin
Milbemycin oxime (Interceptor)
Dosage – 2.3 mg for dogs up to 4.5
kg to 23 mg for dogs 23-45 kg, one monthly
Kills microfilariae, exceedingly rarely
a shock-like reaction can develop if administered
to dogs with heavy microfilariae. Sterilizes
the adult female worm
Selamectin (Revolution)
Dosage –6 mg/kg for dogs and cats,
monthly
Topical application that paralyzes the
parasite
Also used to control and prevent fleas,
to treat and control ear mites, sarcoptic
mange, ticks (dogs), intestinal hookworm
and roundworm (cats)
Not effective for clearing microfilarae.
Not effective against adults
If you’re
travelling to an area with a high rate
of heartworm infection i.e. Florida, most
vets recommend putting your dog on a heartworm
preventative for a minimal period of time
to protect your dog and guard against
spreading the infection in your area after
you return home.
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Published
in the Summer 2002 issue of Animal Wellness
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