Finally a Diagnosis for Sophie

[Valarie]

Got a fecal sample today and I cannot believe it!!!!!!  Sophie has hookworms and whipworms.  I am in shock.  That is why she has been so sick!!!  Sophie got a full work up at my mother in laws vet when we first brought her home and she recommended the topical preventative Advantage Multi which says that it takes care of fleas, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.  We have used it exactly as directed.  When we took her back in to our vet today with the fecal sample - he said that he has not found the Advantage Multi to be effective for prevention of these types of worms. What????    Sophie is spending the night at the vet's to get fluids as she is mildly dehydrated.  It was terribly difficult to leave her there but we knew it was for the best because we have really struggled to get her to drink.

 

Does anyone else use this preventative?  I found very little negative info on the web about it.

 

I thought we were doing every thing we could to protect her. 

 

 

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Is this something I should just have my dogs checked for periodically? Is it more prevalent in different regions? I know that heartworms aren't in our area, but whipworms and hookworms??? My dogs are always on Frontline Plus but not Interceptor = I never even heard of it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I haven't been doing this. Guess it is time for more poop patrol!

[Janette Baillie]

Hi
So sorry to hear about Sophie's issues and hope she recovers quickly. Can I ask what her symptoms were?
Our puppy (5 months) has been dewormed but the way he eats and drinks has us wondering if he has worms. He is not sick at all, lots of energy, but he eats and drinks an extraordinary amount - way more than our 4 year old.

[Janette Baillie]

Oh, thanks for the link. That must have been very scarey. I'm glad they have diagnosed the problem. I hope she feels better very soon.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Interceptor!!! That prevents against all major kinds of worms - my vet recommends that over Advantage...(I am in TN and we have more of a variety of worms - the south does and since you are in KY, I would use this).
I am so sorry about Sophie - she will get better - I know you are worried. Paws and fingers crossed for a speedy recovery =)

[Marianne *OZZY & ZOEY]

Happy to hear Sophie is going to be ok....My doodles are on Frontline and my vet just told me about a new one that is suppose to be better. I have not tried that one yet and I can't even remember the name of it now.

[Valarie]

Sophie is home this morning. Still quite low energy but drinking well and eating a little. It hurts me to see her feeling so bad. But as all of you have reassured me, I am so thankful that she will have a full recovery. She has had a shot for nausea and I am giving her oral meds for diarrhea. She has had some diarrhea this morning but our vet warned us to expect that.
Thanks for all the hugs and well wishes!! I am passing them on to her.

[Dee O'Neill]

I'm happy to hear Sophie is home and doing better. Remember, there will be more loose stools as the worms are killed off by the meds. So don't be too concerned. Take care of yourself and Sophie. ((hugs))

[sherrie west]

I am so sorry about Sophie. Hope all goes well from here on out. Thinking good thoughts for Sophie!

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

So, the deal with the topical treatments for fleas, heartworms and intestinal worms is this:

A topical treatment can treat all these internal worms, as well as fleas. The topical solutions have "carrier" ingredients that carry the active ingredient across the skin of the dog/cat and then it is absorbed systemically. Even the flea killing parts are absorbed into the body, the flea has to bite the dog to die.

HOWEVER, this is all dependent upon the topical treatment being applied in the appropriate manner, and then absorbed, not getting rubbed or washed off, etc.

My advice (learned from working in vet clinics) is to treat your dogs for heartworms and intestinal worms with an oral medication (Interceptor will cover heartworms, hooks, rounds and whipworms. Heartguard will cover heartworms, hooks and rounds only, no whipworms) and then treat for fleas with regular advantage. That way you KNOW the really important medicine got INTO the dog. Fleas are a nuisance, but if you bumble the application, then you can wait a few weeks, and reapply, using a shampoo or collar in the meantime.

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

My vet told me that the manufacturer of Advantage Multi will PAY for deworming treatments if their product hasn't prevented infestation. Both my dogs had worms too at their last checkup, but I did not give them the drops over the winter, so had to pay for deworming myself ;( Hope your dogs feels better soon. At least her condition is easily treated.

[Valarie]

Sophie is doing much better. She had the zoomies in the back yard tonight. She makes me laugh. She was running so fast that she nearly crashed the fence. Yikes!! She is eating and drinking well. Her stools have been a little loose but nothing serious. She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort. I am so grateful to get "over the hump" with this. We are trying to do everything exactly as the vet instructed. We really had a scare. Thanks to all for the information, advice and concern.