Worm and flea pills

[Livia Free]

Can you please talk to me about worming pills and flea pills?

 

My doodle is 4 months old. The vet gave me a 6-month supply of worm (Heartgard) and flea (Comfortis) pills at the last vet check. I was leaving the office thinking that I would do what the vet recommended which is give her a pill every month, one for worms and one for fleas for the rest of her life. But as I got closer to home I started to think. Should I really be giving her poison on regular bases? Would I be risking too much if I waited until she had a problem and then just dealt with it e.i. treat for fleas once she gets them? I am just confused and don't really know what to do. The vet said the pills wouln't make her sick. Which, I don't know, I just have a hard time believing it. Poison it's poison...

 

What's your opinion? What do you do with your puppies?

 

Thank you!

 

Livia + Misha (4-month-old goldendoodle)

[Bonnie and Kona]

Livia, I am in a similar quandary because I don't want to do the drops for fleas on my dogs anymore but don't know what to do instead. I have four month old and 3 year old Goldendoodles. Hope you get some good natural options here.

[Carol]

Livia you raise a good point. For me the question would be how likely is your dog going to be exposed to certain elements that would make her more prone for fleas and heartworm (received it the dog is bitten by a mosquito)? Because I live in a climate and area where my dogs will be more exposed than not, I took the Vets recommendation and give Manny the medicine once a month. Our little Izzy had a few worms when we got her so she is going to take her first heartguard tomorrow. The Vet, however, was clear that it was my choice but recommended it based on the number of cases she had seen lately. My dog also frequents a dog park so I have to always be on guard for what he may pick up there too. I didn't always give my kids things the pediatrician suggested and I have not given my doodles everything the Vet has recommended but I've been ok with these two suggestions. 

I must note that Manny took 1 heartguard at a few months old and then didn't start taking them monthly until he was 11 months old.

[Livia Free]

Good point. I think in our area both are not unheard off. Misha will be hopefully a well-traveled dog. I want to make sure I don't endager her by either over or under medicating. Thank you!

[Nancy Pyzynski]

Hi Livia and Bonnie,

I was of the same mindset about giving meds or pills to our dog Coco on a regular basis but we found out the hard way that sometimes, the homeopathic remedies just aren't effective enough to do the trick.  Coco ended up with fleas that were driving her nuts because we didn't want to put the flea and tick control drops on her.  We have come to realize that she is far more comfortable and safe from disease with them and so we have had to make a choice that wasn't easy for us.

As for the heartworm and parasite meds, we also found out that she should be on them, especially since she is out and about where other dogs have been and possibly defecated, at doggy daycare, the beach, the street for walks, etc.  She wasn't protected and she picked up hookworm and has been pretty miserable for a few days with nausea and very loose and uncontrolable bowels.  Our hearts just sank when we realized we could have prevented her discomfort with a monthly pill from the vet. He of course assured us that they are extremely safe and she will be fine.  She could easily pick up parasites again if we don't protect her from them in some way and this seems to be the most effective way we have found.

I suppose this is a very personal decision.  If we are able to find something that works without subjecting her to any toxins, then by all means, we will do that.  We have not had any luck with that route and we certainly want her with us for many years so we are doing what our veterinarian suggests.  Best to you and your doodles!!

[Livia Free]

Thank you Nancy!

[Helen]

I'm originally from the UK and was very overwhelmed with the medication the vet was telling me to give my pets.

After doing research found out that fleas can carry tapeworms and mosquitoes can carry heartworm, both are not something I wish upon any of my pets.

So on the first of each month the dogs get centinel and the cat gets his topical all-in-one.  We live in Texas and I will also find ticks on the dogs so, I will use frontline to help control them along with the benefit of extra flea control...we do not get a break from fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, so our treatments continue year-round.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

I give Connor & Simon Interceptor. It guards against heartworms and hook worms, round worms, whip worms. Connor is a therapy dog and has to be parasite free and I try to take both dogs out and about as much as I possibly can. Prior to the Interceptor, Connor got round and whip worms  - which I am certain he got from traveling around with me. I don't like giving them chemicals, but I don't see an alternative. Also we live across the street from a lake and wetland, so lots of mosquitoes when the weather gets warm.

As far as fleas are concerned, I quit using Advantage (or Frontline) 2 years ago. Connor and Sky both started smelling like a chemical dump and I stopped. Fortunately, we have not had a bad flea season since. I know there are some herbal alternatives, but I have not tried them.

This is a difficult subject.

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

In the past I always gave my dogs the worming pill and did Frontline.  However, we are a Guardian family for a doodle in a breeding program and the breeder said no to both.  I also live in the Northwest and Heartworm is rare in my area (you can ask specifically if your vet has had cases in your area)  I give something called D Worm tasty paste for other parasites every 6 months and use an organic flea preventative from Mad about Organics called Organic Flea and Tick Skin Treatment.  Anyway, so far so good.  I have always wondered about these heavy duty meds and will feel terrible if the naturals don't work but I'm giving them a shot.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you for this information.

[Livia Free]

Thank you for sharing that! I will look into it!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I just ordered this flea product. I am so excited for a non-chemical solution. We live in the San Francisco Bay Area so are not inundated with fleas like those in the south. When we lived in Hawaii it was a constant battle. Since joining Doodlekisses I am now feeding grain-free food and refusing chemical flea treatment. I am so grateful for this website.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I'll be interested to see how it works. I just started using Brewers Yeast w/ Garlic chewables to see if it repels or helps between Frontline applications