Help With Preventing Worms And Fleas

[nadz]

Hello everyone!

I have been reading like a mad person getting ready for my new puppy (here in a few weeks.. wooooo!!). I'm buying my worming and flea products at the moment because I'll probably start him on them at 12 weeks.

Sooo for the pup I bought advantage for up to 4kgs (mini dachshund), and I'm planning on getting him in Interceptor Spectrum CHEWS for Dogs - Up to 4kg (Orange). Is that everything i need? Is there anything better?

I have a cat who gets Revolution Cat - 2.5 to 7.5kg (Blue), which is a topical for worms and fleas once a month.

Nowww the big question. I live at home still and my parents have a 14 yr old Jack Russell. She just gets excel-pet treatment for fleas once a month (brrrrr shudder). I want to change this so I know she has adequate flea protection, but I have no idea if she has been having heartworm tabs. I'm guessing not. If i am to start her on the interceptor tabs I will probably need to get her tested for heartworm first? Because I doubt my parents will bother since she is 14... If she doesn't get the monthly treatments for heartworm would that affect the puppy in any way? Silly question probably..

Or should I just get her advocate topical and not worry about having her tested? Or just a worming tablet and advantage and not treat for heartworm?

Looking forward to your responses and help lol!

[ellz]

If you start her on heartworm medication without testing first, you could kill her.

Definitely get her tested first.

[nadz]

ooo ok thanks for that ellz! Just did a quick google search and wow lucky I did post here! Do you know how much I would expect to pay for the test to be done? I might pay for her to get it done myself, saves me trying to explain it to mum and dad haha

[Azzachazza]

Hi Nadz,

My girls are both on Advocate from 8 weeks of age. No problems with either. You are covered from round, hook and whip worms, mange, mites and lice. As well as fleas and heartworm.

You should be fine administering without a test

"Advocate may be safely applied to heartworm infected dogs, therefor there is no absolute requirement for a heartworm test before commencing treatment."

However they do recommend, further down in the pamphlet, testing just to be sure.

In your case though, it would probably not be necessary, as Heartworm testing is usually performed on adult dogs as puppies do not require testing due to the fact that it could take up to six months after exposure for the heartworms to reach maturity and be detectable on a test.

Its easy with one monthly application with Advocate, however dont forget Tapeworm eradication, which is not covered by advocate, once every 6 months.

Also its a good idea to worm with a broad spectrum worming tablet (obtained from vet as per body weight) every couple of weeks, from 8-12 weeks of age. So presumming you are getting your pup at 8 weeks, you would be administering 2 doses, before it hits 3 months of age. But talk to your breeder and vet first, so that you can sync up your schedule to theirs.

Regards,

Aaron

[Dogsfevr]

There is nothing wrong with excelepet & we have via clients found it to work better than many products.

Excelept doesnt equate to crap so dont get caught thinking because it costs more it works better.

i would also be asking the breeder if the products you have brought are known to have sensitivity issues with the breed

You dont need to buy worming tablets from vets that charge a fortune again the excelepet range are fine plus some other brands available at stockfeeds or the likes & remember they are made by drontal & the like whom you are buying the expensive stuff from.

Personally on a 14 yr old dog that is doing fine on the current product i wouldnt be changing unless the dog is infested with fleas??I also wouldnt be worrying about heartworm testing at that age.

Many people treat there dogs for heartworm but it takes acertain type of mosquito to transmit it & not all areas are predisposed to it.

Dogs can react to these products & they should be used with care.

We have showdogs & dont use any flea preventive. I do realise many live in tick areas & dont have a choice but here we dont use a product if we dont have a problem,we dont use any chemical unless truly required.

We do heartworm monthly

[nadz]

Thank you everyone for your replies and help! I ended up going with advantage for the pup and older girl, interceptor spectrum for the pup, drontal intestinal wormer for the old girl and revolution for the cat

[Erny]

If you don't have a flea problem where you live, there's no need to apply chemicals to your dog/pup to prevent them.

If you're in the cooler areas of Victoria, I don't believe we have a heartworm issue either.

These are my opinions. I don't use flea treatments on my dog, nor do I heartworm.

As for worming of your pup, your breeder would let you know when the next wormer is due. This might be sooner than the 12 weeks of age that you plan to worm at.

[luvsdogs]

Worming is done every 2 weeks up to 12 weeks of age than usually an all wormer every 3 mths. With the more modern all in one products this can be monthly. It is not necessary to heartworm test a pup. As stated it takes 6 mths for the worms to mature & by giving the meds in the beginning stages it gets rid of them if there. If your vet ever suggests getting the 12 mth h/w vaccination, don't it was banned in the US & they only use the 6 mth vac. It has been re-introduced with restrictions.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2008/06/05...80311212687545/

Here's the link to the thread from DOL

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=153632

ETA I have always found Advantage to be good at preventing fleas, an all wormer & h/w monthly tabs. With previous bc who had a flea allergy only used to use from Sept/Oct to Apr/May. With Tilba have used it for the 1st yr & 1/2 & now trialling Sentinal.

Edited January 2, 2010 by luvsdogs