HW med

[Doodlesville]

does anyone use Ivermectin for monthly heartworm?
have you ever? what is your experience?
(i know NOT to use it on Herding breeds)

[cocoandjane]

http://www.totalpetsupply.com/index.cfm ... FQod1gGRSg

Well, I use Heartguard Plus for my girls. I have considered trying something homeopathic....but, having had a dog once with heartworm....I really want to know whatever I use works well.

This site above makes me wonder about the generic version....it sure is less expensive.

[MySweetDoodle]

I know several breeders who use Ivomec (with their vets total approval). It's the same drug (Ivermectin) just an "off-label" use when used in dogs. Proper dose is important and it has a very bitter taste but you can disquise it in a favorite food or treat. When you have many dogs, Ivomec is WAY cheaper than the traditional "dog" meds.

Like you said, it should not be given to the "herding" breeds. Our Australian Shepherd took Interceptor so we just swithched our other dogs over to that rather than Ivermectin - it just made it easier to have everyone on the same med.

I never bothered to give my dogs Ivomec because I have a couple of really small dogs (one 5lbs., one 9 lbs., and one 15 lbs.) and getting the right dose for them just seems like too much trouble (it's something like 1/10th of 1cc for each 10 pounds of body weight). So we just use the Interceptor and pay a million times more for it .

[lmtoth2]

We have always used Heartguard on Kirby and Dex - they do fine on it.

[Tink]

I have used Ivermectin successfully for many years.

It prevents heartworms as well as
Mange Mites,
Hookworms,
Roundworms,
Whipworms,
ear mites
(NOT TAPEWORMS)
Does a fair job on fleas.

Dosage is:
Ivomec 1% (Cattle) liquid (There are 2 different strengths sold, so watch this when you buy)

Give 1cc for 10# body weigh ORALLY
Or
Give 0.1 cc per 1# body weight ORALLY - Must use 1cc TB Syringe

Once a week for 5 weeks, kills mites
Once a month- for Heartworms - (Main ingredient in Heartgard is IVOMEC)

Can use when puppies are 3-4 weeks old.
OK for pregnant and nursing mothers.
Some puppy breeders use at 4, 6 and 8 weeks for worming

You have to give a fairly large overdose to do any harm with Ivermectin.
It is known to be toxic to several herding breeds.
It can be given by injection Sub-Q if your dog won't take it orally.
Inject it into a hot dog and they'll usually gobble it without complaint.

There are also Ivermectin pastes for horses that some use for dogs. I haven't gone that route.

I think Ivermectin for my pack costs me about $7 a month, so it's a great money saver.