I hate heartworms

REELDOC

The creek won't clear up til you get the pigs out.
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Looking for a bud for this mutant midget German shepherd girl that I have. Found two great GS dogs but they are HW+. The treatments require the dog pretty much to do nothing but sit on their arses for 8 or 9 weeks or sometimes more. Its a rough treatment protocol. That won't happen with my other mutt here, wouldn't be fair for either one of them if one of them couldn't have fun.

Please get your dogs on HW preventative and get checked for HW.
 
Noted and thanks for the reminder. Our chow hounds get checked every year and get a monthly tablet.
 
I have a co worker that the vet told him his dog was heart worm positive. He said ok well they gotta die from something, dog was like 10 years old and lived another 3-4 years.
 
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Over the years we have had several that had to go through treatment, severity of infestation determines treatment protocol. I have one HW+ right now, mild case caught early and going long treatment.
 
My GSD gets a shot every 6 months. When the new pup, also GSD, hits 1 year, he’ll be going on the same shot.
 
All kennels & breeders I've known for years use this. Same drug you give a war pension for. You just give it orally for dogs.
 

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I smell what you're stepping in!

Years ago my dog tested positive for heart worms. A guy that got his doctorate from Yale wrote his thesis on this and helped us keep our girl for <$10.
Instead of the $1K+ fix with 6 weeks+ at the vet, he treated her with a 1/4 dose of Ivermectin, don't let her run for a month. 2 weeks later another dose, 2 weeks later a 1/2 dose, a month later a full dose. After that she was to stay on the standard monthly regimen.
Heartworms have a lifespan of 3 years. Ivermectin kills the nymphs, if you go slow, they'll all be gone in 3 years without trauma to the pooch or your wallet.
If you kill a bunch of them at once, they'll rot and clog the arteries, heart and brain.
I've used Zimectrin for decades with my breeder's and vet's approval. It's $13 per year for a 100lb dog. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...wormer-ivermectin-155-praziquantel-775-026-oz
 
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I smell what you're stepping in!

Years ago my dog tested positive for heart worms. A guy that got his doctorate from Yale wrote his thesis on this and helped us keep our girl for <$10.
Instead of the $1K+ fix with 6 weeks+ at the vet, he treated her with a 1/4 dose of Ivermectin, don't let her run for a month. 2 weeks later another dose, 2 weeks later a 1/2 dose, a month later a full dose. After that she was to stay on the standard monthly regimen.
Heartworms have a lifespan of 3 years. Ivermectin kills the nymphs, if you go slow, they'll all be gone in 3 years without trauma to the pooch or your wallet.
If you kill a bunch of them at once, they'll rot and clog the arteries, heart and brain.
I've used Zimectrin for decades with my breeder's and vet's approval. It's $13 per year for a 100lb dog. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...wormer-ivermectin-155-praziquantel-775-026-oz
I wish more folks knew about this as more could afford to prevent heartworms in their dogs.
 
If you decide to go with the Ivermectin, please continue annual testing as some heartworms have shown resistance to Ivermectin. Also be aware of the following:
  • "Ivermectin in high doses can be dangerous, even fatal, to dogs, especially to those with the MDR1 mutation.
The breeds most affected by the MDR1 mutation are: Herding Breed Cross (10% frequency), German Shepherds (10% frequency), Shetland Sheepdogs (15% frequency), English Shepherds (15% frequency), McNab Cattle Dogs (30% frequency), Silken Windhounds (30% frequency), Australian Shepherds, & Mini Australian Shepherds (50% frequency), Long-haired Whippets (65% frequency), Collies (70% frequency)."

Some dogs with this mutation can react adversely even to what would be a normal dose. You can have your pup tested for the mutation.
 
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I've fostered a dozen or more dogs while they underwent heartworm treatments. It really isn't that bad and you don't have to immobilize them, just don't take them for strenuous exercise for a month or two.
 
If you decide to go with the Ivermectin, please continue annual testing as some heartworms have shown resistance to Ivermectin. Also be aware of the following:
  • "Ivermectin in high doses can be dangerous, even fatal, to dogs, especially to those with the MDR1 mutation.
The breeds most affected by the MDR1 mutation are: Herding Breed Cross (10% frequency), German Shepherds (10% frequency), Shetland Sheepdogs (15% frequency), English Shepherds (15% frequency), McNab Cattle Dogs (30% frequency), Silken Windhounds (30% frequency), Australian Shepherds, & Mini Australian Shepherds (50% frequency), Long-haired Whippets (65% frequency), Collies (70% frequency)."

Some dogs with this mutation can react adversely even to what would be a normal dose. You can have your pup tested for the mutation.


Thanks for posting, was about to chime in. You're highly likely to kill the hell out of a collie with any Ivermectin.
 
Talked to three GS rescues and 3 vets. Advice is all over the place. For now I'm just going to pass up a HW+ dog. There's plenty more GS's out there, just looking for the right one.
 
Talked to three GS rescues and 3 vets. Advice is all over the place. For now I'm just going to pass up a HW+ dog. There's plenty more GS's out there, just looking for the right one.
Man, like said above, it's not that big a deal to treat. I've treated quiet a few pit bulls that I've rescued, and I rescued our Beagle earlier this year, and she was 12 years old and HW+. I'd hate to think you passed on a good pup, and really hate it for the dogs sake.

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Talked to three GS rescues and 3 vets. Advice is all over the place. For now I'm just going to pass up a HW+ dog. There's plenty more GS's out there, just looking for the right one.
I hate to see that. It's not that big a deal and you could probably have one cheaper than the alternative.
 
I'm gonna look into the Ivermectin for my pup. She had heartworms before in her past. Do y'all just put it in a chicken nugget or something?
 
We do the ProHeart injection, good for 12 months they say. Plus I got a $20 rebate. It's rare anything in this house (aka-my checking account) saves me any money.
 
So I’ve got 2 dogs that have survived HW. I’m switching to the DIY Ivermectin from Tractor Supply or Agri Supply.
So, does anybody have a link for dosage? Kurt said 1/10ml per 10lbs. That sounds about right...

Also, anybody know if goldens are at risk for the mutation? I think pits and boxers are cleared.


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So I’ve got 2 dogs that have survived HW. I’m switching to the DIY Ivermectin from Tractor Supply or Agri Supply.
So, does anybody have a link for dosage? Kurt said 1/10ml per 10lbs. That sounds about right...
Also, anybody know if goldens are at risk for the mutation? I think pits and boxers are cleared.
Check with your vet first!
for the last 2 decades I’ve been treating 5 Rotties and had no issues with Zirmectin horse paste. It cost $12 per year, two vets and 3 breeders have approved it. I don’t recall discussing the Z Gold. The plunger has 50lb notches, once a month I’ll put a dose on my finger, wipe it on the back of their tongue, and feed them.
6EE2A9DA-C4D8-4702-9AF2-CBFE805FC7DB.jpeg
Killing the heart worms can cause clots in the heart, lung, brain and joints. If the pooch can take ivermectin and has shown positive, get guidance on how to start with small doses, then work up to the normal monthly dose. Ivermectin kills the nymph mode worms, heart worms have a 3 yr average lifespan. Once you get to the normal monthly dose, the mature worms will slowly die off and the pooch’s system will absorb them.
I’ve seen this successfully done with many GS, pits, and Rotties.
 
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