Flea/tick And Worming Treatments

[RiverStar-Aura]

I've been reading through the forums to try and work out the best flea and worm treatment for my puppy and I think I've just managed to confuse myself even further. Zeus is currently on Frontline Plus, however, I'm concerned about its effectiveness due to reports from local dog owners saying it hasn't seemed to be working as well. I'm not terribly worried about ticks as I don't live in a tick-prone area, but I'd like to keep the fleas under control as I have a cat and many of the neighbourhood cats like to congregate in my backyard!

The other problem I have is with worming treatments. These have always confused me because when I read the packets they only ever seem to cover a few so I'd need about 2 or 3 different types to be fully covered. Zeus currently has Drontil Chewables every 3 months and a yearly heartworm injection, however, I'd like to find out why many of you here seem to be against it. I'm interested in your opinions because I'd like to be more informed next time the vet asks if I want the injection. Are there serious problems caused by the injection and if so, what would be the better alternatives? Is there a worming tablet that covers all intestinal worms and heartworm?

I'm finding there are just way to many products to choose from and I have no idea. I'd like to do what's best for my pup and keep him really healthy and active!

[rubiton]

OUr dog gets the monthly heartworm tablet but she likes the chewable one (I am late this month due to her gastro last weekend that she is still recovering from) however the vet said that her limited exposure to where she could catch worms means that she only has a worming tablet from the vet once or twice a year.

Dont worry about fleas - dont treat that problem unless she actually ended up with said issue.

However she is around horses and therefore has had the tetanus injections (though the next booster isnt due for another 3 years).

Luckily in SA we dont have ticks like are found in some eastern states

[Genabee]

Genevieve gets the yearly heart worm injection too. She hasn't had a problem/reaction to it.

I use advantage once a month for flea/ticks. We have used it in the past on our other dog and found it to be effective. Easy to put on her after a bath.

She gets a drontal tablet crushed up in sardines once every three months for intestinal worms.

I choose to give her the jab because I don't want to forget, and giving her a tablet once a month.... I would probably forget! The flea treatment is more precautionary - I don't live in a flea/tick infested area so if we do let it go for an extra week or so, I doubt she will catch them.

I think it is a case of what works best for you and your dog. There is no right or wrong. Like immunising your kids, everyone is going to have an opinion on it.

[Erny]

Worming tablets/chewables/medication is a TREATMENT, not a preventative.

Heartworm tablets/chewables/injections is a TREATMENT, not a preventative.

There have been a lot of negative reactions to the heartworm injectable. If your dog doesn't react well to heartworm preventative, you've just given a dose that will last the whole year through. Even during periods and climates where heartworm development isn't going to occur. So that's the equivalent to treating your dog with chemicals for something that s/he doesn't have.

Dogs don't necessarily pick up worms every 3 months.

Dogs' systems are designed to be able to cope with a mild worm burden.

You can have stool samples checked by your Vet for worm burden.

Edited August 1, 2010 by Erny

[rubiton]

Reckon heartworm tablets are a preventative not a treatment (if it gets heartworm its treated differently which is why they get tested before being put on the monthly tablets, etc) - yes I guess it does work like a treatment as its suppose to kill anything in the dogs system before it turns into heartworms but it doesnt actually treat infected dogs. And while for example there are not many mozzies about I can remember being eaten alive in Adelaide on an August day by gigantic mozzies in the parklands - out of season for them but they were coming along just nicely in the end of winter weather. So while I have seen a highly recommended OS website mention not having to give them monthly heartworm tablets during winter I disagree with that due to August giant mozzies around here.

However normal worming may not be necessary on the dot of every three months it depends how likely exposure is - our vet asked a few questions and said our dog did not need 3 monthly treatment due to her lifestyle and exposure risk so only gets a worming tablet once or twice every year or so.

[Erny]

Reckon heartworm tablets are a preventative not a treatment (if it gets heartworm its treated differently which is why they get tested before being put on the monthly tablets, etc) - yes I guess it does work like a treatment as its suppose to kill anything in the dogs system before it turns into heartworms but it doesnt actually treat infected dogs.

No - it is a "treatment". Heartworm only reproduces in an infected dog, where the heartworms have fully matured (6-12 months). In order to infect another dog, the heartworm larvae have to be picked up by a mosquito through biting the infected dog. The larvae then need 14 days to develop to the stage where they can infect a dog bitten by the host mosquito. If at any time during their 14-day development, the temperature where they live falls to 14 degrees celcius or below, the development is aborted and has to start over. Once injected into a dog, the larvae need a further 45-60 days to develop to the stage where they can migrate into the bloodstream and lodge in the heart.

The 'monthly' chewables/daily tabs are therefore killing the heartworm microfilaria. It is a treatment, not a preventative by any stretch. The medication does not "prevent" the dog from becoming infected by a mosquito which is a host to the heartworm.

If you gave the standard regular treatment to a dog infected by mature heartworms, it will kill the worms which by then would have infiltrated the dog's heart - THIS is what makes it dangerous to give the normal treatment to a dog where heartworm infection is an unknown and THIS is why it is imperative that treatment for a dog who is suffering mature heartworm infestation be different from the usual drugs.

[rubiton]

OK - I see it this way in humans we boost our immune system if around sick people with various things (be that getting plenty of vitamins etc) in order to 'prevent' getting sick. In reality we might be infected with the germs but the immune system fights off the problem before we get sick.

The heartworm tablets killing off the larvae in the system before they mature and get into the heart thus preventing heartworm (which is what I meant by infected - actually being positive to heartworms).

I'd rather kill the issue in the larvae cycle with the monthly tablet in my mind preventing the problem than risking exposure during seemingly non mozzie months.

At least these days there is the monthly tablet or annual injection when it first appeared dogs had to have daily tablets there was no other option.

[Erny]

I think I see what you are saying, but for me I think you are blurring the edges between the two definitions somewhat, or perhaps it's a case of "you say tomaytos and I say tomahtos".

A preventative would be something that is there, ready to stop (in this case, an illness) before it takes hold.

A treatment would be something that is administered after (in this case) an illness has infected (in whatever shape or form).

For a dog with, say, parvo (and I hope not). You don't give a vaccine after the event. The vaccine is a preventative, not a treatment.

ETA: Having written the above, I see more clearly what you are saying and I think that perhaps both definitions could, strictly speaking be held as being correct.

Edited August 1, 2010 by Erny

[Crisovar]

Heartworm prevention medications are for the prevention of Heartworm Disease.

Heartworm Disease is adult heartworms in the heart of the dog.

Daily, monthly or yearly medications PREVENT this.

[Erny]

Daily, monthly or yearly medications PREVENT this.

Or TREAT the microfilia that are present. ;)

Edited August 2, 2010 by Erny