Pregnancy--heatworm And Flea Treatment Advice

[Di*]

Hi all

I've recently discovered that my very thin chi X mini foxie Doggie Rescue foster is pregnant. Possibly due in the next two weeks. Never had a pregnant one before. My own philosophy with dogs (and humans) is to minimise use of chemicals whenever possible--but do normally use Revolution or similar on the dogs at least during summer. So need advice on flea treatment and heart worm medication for this girl.

Do you continue usual treatment when pregnant for both heartworm and fleas? Do you just continue heatworm medication if fleas aren't a problem?

Advice much appreciated

thanks

Di

[Erny]

Dr. Jean Dodds, who is actively involved in the research on dogs and vaccines, does "NOT recommend vaccinating bitches during estrus, pregnancy or lactation".

Link : Vaccination Schedule Recommendation

Reading further on her writings, I've copy/pasted part of a response she gave to someone who reported a reaction in her dog.

Link : Ask the Doctor

You also asked about the advisability of giving monthly heartworm preventives for pregnant bitches. In general it's advisable to avoid unnecessary challenges to the health or immune system of animals that are undergoing hormonal changes such as estrus and pregnancy. It is specifically not advisable to vaccinate animals during these periods nor during the time of lactation, because of the exposure of young puppies to shed vaccine viral antigens from the feces of the vaccinated dam or other adults in the household. With respect to heartworm prevention, the manufacturer's directions should generally be followed if these products are used. There appears to be no contraindication for use of either of the monthly heartworm products during pregnancy. However, that does not mean it would be advisable to do so for all breeds of dogs under all circumstances. Certainly in a breed like the Mastiff with a relatively small gene pool and large size, the behavior of these animals to a variety of chemical and other immunological challenges may vary from that expected for the more co- mmon breeds of dogs or mixed breed dogs. I have seen adverse reactions to monthly heartworm preventives in animals that appear genetically and physiologically susceptible to these effects. Therefore, I recommend that these animals and their direct relatives or dog families/breeds with an apparent increased prevalence of immunological disorders, avoid use of the monthly heartworm preventives. Instead, I advise use of the plain daily heartworm products. The adverse reactions usually occur within the first 10-14 days after the monthly product has been administered, and typically begin after an animal has had 2-5 doses. Occasionally animals that have been taking monthly preventives for a relatively long time will develop subsequent product intolerance. It usually means that some underlying disease process has emerged to explain the problem. This is an important consideration, because if breeders are concerned and wish to return to using plain daily products, we should do so lest these products disappear from the marketplace (if the manufacturers deem that sales are insufficient to warrant their continued production).

Lastly, it should be emphasized that unless heartworm disease is prevalent where the animals live, routine use of preventive is not recommended. This is especially important for dogs suffering from chronic allergic diseases of the skin and hair coat or those with bone marrow, thyroid or liver disease. [specific literature references are available upon request]. W. Jean Dodds, DVM, Hemopet, 938 Stanford Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 (310) 828- 4804.

[gareth]

Revolution is fine, in fact, one of the safest ones to use in pregnancy.

[Erny]

Revolution is fine, in fact, one of the safest ones to use in pregnancy.

Having discussed this matter with Dr. Dodds (although not specific to 'pregnancy'), I have to say that I strongly disagree with this. Not to mention that it treats a wider range of things that might not even need treating, so "less is more" kind of goes out the window.

Why do you say it is "one of the safest ones to use in pregnancy"? Perhaps my understanding is incorrect.

Edited January 17, 2009 by Erny

[Di*]

Thanks for the info, Erny. She is a dog with a number of health issues so I want to do as little as possible to cause further probs--maybe keeping her indoors and away from mosquitoes is the safest option esp. since it's been so dry and it's possible that she may only have a couple of weeks to go. She was under 2.5 Kg when she first arrived at Doggie Rescue, she's still underweight (2.88 Kg last weigh in)--unfortunately, not a good eater--and currently has an elevated white blod cell count so the health of her immune system is an issue.

Unfortunately, she has been vaccinated--the vets missed her pregnancy.

Also thanks Gareth for your alternative view--I think if she was bursting with good health I'd be less worried about her ability to cope.

Di

[oakway]

What a shame the vets did not de sex before you got her.

All of the dear little dogs problems would have been gone.

I would just keep her inside as much as possible. Maybe just a dab of human repellent

may help.

The elevated blood cells could be from the vaccination, my guess would be, that it is.

Such a shame that it is impossible to tell if they have ever been vaccinated in their life time,

unless a titre is done first.

Best wishes for happy healthy babies and their mother.

[Erny]

Di ..... sorry you little girl is having these issues. Although not a 'cure all', I can't advocate enough the use of Active Manuka Honey as a natural immune booster. Go for the stuff from the Health Food Store and if your area still stocks the AMH with the UFL labels on it (I believe that is being cut out) go for the highest "+" you can (eg. 30+). It's pricey, but I've used it for various things (for both myself and my dogs) and I do strongly believe that it helps.

[Di*]

Di ..... sorry you little girl is having these issues. Although not a 'cure all', I can't advocate enough the use of Active Manuka Honey as a natural immune booster. Go for the stuff from the Health Food Store and if your area still stocks the AMH with the UFL labels on it (I believe that is being cut out) go for the highest "+" you can (eg. 30+). It's pricey, but I've used it for various things (for both myself and my dogs) and I do strongly believe that it helps.

Oakway, she was just out of her quarantine period when I picked her up and because she was so underweight I was trying to fatten her up before desexing. The puppies were only confirmed after an ultrasound--the first vet we saw thought it unlikely she was pregnant--thought pyometriosis more likely. Desexing may have been the best option but not my call--as the foster carer.

Good thought re the honey, Erny will check it out.

Di

[Kirty]

Is there any way she can be desexed now? If she has health problems, she may well have pups with health problems. :rolleyes:

[Di*]

Is there any way she can be desexed now? If she has health problems, she may well have pups with health problems. :rolleyes:

Kirty

As I said, whether to desex or not desex her is not my call.

Her health probs are primarily due to her previous lack of care--her unknown background and being a very small (chi/toy sized) and very underweight dog in a pound environment (presumably she's also had litters before). Desexing would, I'd imagine, also be very hard on her at this advanced stage in her pregnancy. Hard to assess other aspects of her health until she has recovered. She is currently carrying at least two seemingly healthy pups (ultrasound).

Di