What is your opinion on heart worm preventatives? ivermectin vs milbemycin oxime

[Jay Cee]

What is your opinion on heartworm preventatives? I have read that there are recommendations to test your dog every 4 months and treat only when positive. Otherwise there are 2 choices ivermectin and milbemycin oxime. Has anyone had any good or bad results with either on goldendoodles? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would like to see reliable information on testing every 4 months rather than using a preventative; I have never seen such an idea anywhere other than some very hardcore "raw feeding" groups. I suppose if someone wanted to spend that kind of money and put their dog through 3 blood tests every year, it would be okay, but IMO there is no reason for it.
I have been using ivermectin (Heartgard) to prevent heartworms in Poodles and Poodle mixes since 1978. Not one dog has ever had an adverse reaction, including my labradoodle, who had many health issues including a compromised immune system. Ivermectin is used for worming in young puppies; it is safe for most dogs, except for Collies and related breeds who carry the MDR-1 genetic mutation and cannot tolerate it.

Heartworm disease is prevalent throughout most of the country and it can be devastating. Doodle Rescue has had several dogs who were HW positive and needed to be treated. The treatment is astronomically expensive (as much as $1500) and excruciatingly painful. It involves a series of injections of arsenic deep into the spine, and subsequent activity restriction for months. Who in their right mind would want to put a dog through that when there is a simple preventative? Yes, there is a slow kill method if you catch it early enough, but you still run a risk and have to restrict activity. 

In every health decision, we need to weigh risks versus benefits. To me, giving an ivermectin preventative is a no-brainer. 

[Jay Cee]

Thanks for your response. Heartguard has been one of the ones I have been considering. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Yes, I think it is necessary especially if your dogs are around other dogs or drink from areas other than their clean water bowls.  Once they are on the medication (every month) however, they do not need to be tested.  A break in medications, then retest.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Heartworm is not transmitted from other dogs or from water bowls. It is ONLY transmitted from  mosquito bites. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

I also use Heartguard.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

What are your thoughts on Revolution (selamectin)?

We've been using it for Luna for years, haven't had any trouble with it.  A few comments I've read seem to indicate that many dogs (especially small ones) have an adverse reaction to it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I was told by Jack's dermatology vet that Revolution is the safest of all the parasite preventative products out there. I know that Jane's boys are on it, due to Murphy's immune issues.

However, on the advice of Jack's dermatologist, we didn't go with Revolution for Jack because although it is very safe, it is also not as effective as using the separate flea/tick and HW products, and fleas would have been a death sentence for Jack due to his allergy issues. That was the only reason, that we had to use something "stronger" for fleas.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Makes sense, thank you :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That's right.  My guys are on Frontline Plus and Revolution because with Murph's IBD he needed a topical med.  Since we've been using both we haven't had any problems with flees or ticks.

[Christine]

Hi Karen!

we use heart guard for Nala. What flea med do u use?  Congratulations on the new puppy! Can’t wait to see some pics

christine 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I used Frontline Plus (and then the Frontline Gold when they changed it last year) for Jack and previous dogs. No issues. 

[Christine]

Thanks so much. Nala has been on vectra 3D and hasn’t shown any issues, but she HATES when I put it on.  It always makes me wonder if I should switch. She goes for her yearly checkup and they always blood test her for heart worms. Can she get that even if she is on the meds each month?

thanks so much to the original poster for such a great question. 

Christine & Nala