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My dog is predisposed to have reactions to ingredients in every heartworm medication. I have received no definitive answer from my vet as to what to do except to basically play Russian Roulette which I’m not really willing to do. I would like to know if you have any advice on how to herbally treat heartworm without using conventional treatment. He is a husky, German Shepherd, wolf mix he has been DNA tested and he is 20 months old. Any information that you could provide would be helpful. My name is James Dalton and if you need to contact me my number is 864-906-4305. Thank you
Hello,
We are a group of individuals that help the street dogs in Turkey. We have a recent case of a baby girl that is below the age of 2 and has heartworm disease. She and a bunch of others were locked up into an abandoned shelter with no food and no clean water (there was water with only blood hence, bacteria and the disease). The medication advised to us by the vet (immiticide) does not exist in Turkey therefore, the baby girl cannot get the treatment. Is there a way you could help us out with this issue we are having?
We would be truly grateful.
The vet is ready to show videos, send necessary documentation and prescription etc.
Thank you in advance.
Hello,
Thank you for all you do. The American Heartworm Association has lots of information available on their site. Please go there. Also look into Advantage multi and doxycycline. They have some promise in treating if you don’t have access to duroban. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your quick and genuine response. We will definitely look into everything you mentioned!
We wish you a great day!
Does my dog need a 4DX test before taking a heartworm preventive? My dog is 71/2 yrs old and has been taking Sentinel monthly since he was a pup, and his Lyme vaccination is up to date. I realize the 4DX test is worthwhile and will get it done at the next annual exam. But the vet is refusing to renew the sentinel prescription without a 4DX test, and that doesn’t make sense to me.
The 4DX test is the heartworm test, and every vet I’ve used has required it prior to filling heartworm prescription.
Yep, I’m aware that’s what the test is for. I pose the question because the vet has been supplying Sentinel for my dog for the past seven years without a 4dx test, so it’s a belated change in protocol. Plus, if Sentinel works as intended, why test for heartworm? I’ve never missed a monthly dose.
That’s interesting, and best addressed with the vet. It’s possible they simply changed protocol, or maybe they’ve mixed up your normal schedule.
Hi there,
I guess it will be long.
Anamnesis
My cat is an adopted cat from shelter. He was 1.5 yrs old when I adopted him and 9 months old when he got into the shelter. He is 7.5 yrs old now.
He suffered from catflu. He lost his left eye because of it. He had polyp in his left nasal cavity having spread to his left earcanal also, so he had to undergo a surgery at the age of 1.5.
The problem
Every season changes– fall, spring — makes him sneeze so I always administer him Vetri-DMG and Flumax to strenght his immune system.
This fall he was sneezing a lot sounded some discharge up, but didn’t see anything then he started snoring didn’t matter if he was sleeping or awaken. He vomited brownish, greenish, and yellowish fluid. Later on he tried to vomit, but nothing came up. On the top of these he seemed to be gasping for breath or being out of breath.
Since having administered Vetri-DMG and Flumax for 3 or 4 weeks I took him to a vet. He administered him eyedrops (3×2 for 7-10 days) Tobradex — corticosteroid and antibiotics — as he found nothing, but his teary eye and conjunctivitis, which is of course tearing all the time as he has epiphora thanks to catflu. He also administered Moxiclear spot on when the next deworming time comes (he is given dewormer each month, Fenbendazole and Praziquantel — guess you know it as Panacur) to make sure that he has no heartworm or lungworm…
Eardrops have been used for 8 days and he has started snoring again. He snores sometimes even he is awaken when breathing in or out.
QUESTION
His RIGHT side nostril seems to be swollen inside, so as far as I can see ti and narrower on this side. And that’s what makes me be so worried. I am afraid of… nasal cancer. He is a ginger cat and has lentigo on his nose, in on his lips, on his pows… How can I find out what the problem is? Unfortunately, in my country vets doesn’t know anything except giving injections… If an illness is not well-seen yet they do nothing.
Help us please!
Thank you so much in advance!
Hello,
When I see oronasal or facial cancer it usually causes displacement of the eye outward. It can also cause swelling or enlargement of the facial area (bridge of nose and cheek area). I haven’t seen one to cause widening or narrowing of the nose. My suspicion would be more inflammatory than cancer. Unfortunately the only way to diagnose is with either tissue samples (usually from traumatic sampling which only a specialist should do), or a CT scan (which is expensive and not available everywhere). The things I have tried in my clinic have been anti inflammatory nasal drops, nebulizer treatments, courses of antibiotics and blood work testing to include a cbc, chem panel and FeLV/FIV status. Also warm humid air like in a hot shower room can help. Also it is super important to assess the living environment for any allergens (no powers, sprays, potpourri, and good ventilation (no mold or dark areas where dust or mold could settle). I hope this helps. Good luck!
Can Interceptor cause bowel problems. Our 1 year old Golden seems to have tummy issues a few days after her heartworm
Hello,
Yes. It can cause gi upset. Please call the vet who prescribed it and speak to them about any possible adverse effect.
My 8yo female JRT, who barks very loudly most of her life woke up yesterday morning without her bark, well most of it. She’s trying to bark but not much is coming out, she sounds very hoarse. Should I be worried, wait a few more days or should she be treated by my vet?? She is otherwise completely healthy and UTD on all vaccines, flea & heartworm preventatives.
I think a sudden change would warrant a call to your vet, though if she isn’t displaying any other symptoms I’d probably wait a day to see if her voice starts to return. If it doesn’t, call the vet tomorrow.
Thanks for your response, she now has an apt with my wonderful vet this evening!
I think that’s the best plan. Here’s to hoping it’s minor and easily handled. 🙂
What’s your opinion on the “slow kill” method of heartworms? My friend is treating the dog she rescued from the pound for heartworms and opted for this method, as she said she felt it was a better choice than getting injections. She feels it is the safer method. Is it fool-proof? What are some signs that the slow kill method is NOT working? Are there any recent peer-reviewed content covering this topic?
The best place for assistance with heartworm disease is the American Heartworm Society and your vet. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/
My cats were purebred (in my home), they’re a Persian+Turkish Angora mix and are already 3 years old, I haven’t given them any medications (except when they’re sick). I’ve never checked them for any hookworms, ringworms, heartworms or any other parasites/worms so are there any risks?
Because I am a stickler for accuracy in language: If they’re a mix, then they aren’t purebred. The word “purebred” means an animal bred from parents of the same breed or variety. Because you have two different breeds involved, they are a mix.
That said…do they go outside? Have you taken a fecal sample to the vet annually? I give heartworm preventative 4x a year – my old man cat doesn’t go outside, and I get annual fecal and blood testing done for him. Get fecals and blood panels done, at the very least, to make sure everything’s good. Without a full picture of your cats’ health, you cannot make an educated decision on how to handle medications and the like.
I’m really sorry for the mistake, so they’re not purebred (my cousin told me that that’s how purebred cats are and I believed him), anyways, I’m not an expert in cats nor am I accurate in language. My cats go indoors and outdoors whenever they want and I’ve never taken them to any fecal or blood tests but I do have a vet coming to my house every month for a checkup on my cats’ overall health.
If they go outside, then yes, they should be on heartworm preventative. I would also have them on an external parasite preventative/flea and tick preventative, as well.
Have they ever seen a vet? Vaccines? If not and they are outside then you have more to worry about then worms. You need to get them checked out properly by a vet and you need to consider them to be indoor cats. Outdoors cats have a short life so and of around 5 years or less. I door cats can live up to 20. You say they have been sick before, most likely because they caught something outside. I would take to a vet and let them administer the medicines and preventatives. It’s not that much money to have this done.
Thank you for the answers
He is up-to-date on all his shots takes heartworm and tick preventative medication . When we pick him up from boarding he had a oatmeal bath for the first time. We live in North Carolina but is spending the summer in New Hampshire we don’t have a vet in New Hampshire. We did ask where we boarded him if anything happened they said no
Find a vet and get him to them as soon as possible.
My dog is 12 1/2 and had a seizure. I took her to the vet and they said she has heartworms. Started her on the medication and the next day she had another seizure. I rushed her in again and they did X-rays to find out she has cancer(I’m not sure what kind) but it is on or near her lungs. They put her on seizure meds and it doesn’t seem to be helping. She rests most of the day and when I get her up to go to the bathroom or get home from work, she has a seizure. And now she seems to be a bit unsteady on her feet while walking. I took her for a short walk and she walked good. She has lost some weight, I can feel her spine very easily, but her stomach seems to be a bit bulgy. I want to know if this is all from the cancer or could she have possibly at something toxic or something that could block her to cause these symptoms? And is this most likely the end or is there other things like diet and vitamins I can give her that would help?
this might sound like a copout answer, but you really need to ask the vet about this. i would be worried about the weight loss, yes, but a bulging stomach would have me very concerned.
if your vet is worth their license, they’ll be frank with you. please, open a dialog with them.
Hello,
I do not know of any heartworm treatments outside of those commercially available for this.