New Vet

[dididog]

Well today I found out that the flea/worming combination prescribed and sold to us by my vet when we took Didi as a 10 week old puppy has not been covering her for heart worm this whole time. The wormer was Drontil and when we bought it off the vet it just came separately in the capsule and had no box or anything so it's not like I could've read that and realised it didn't cover heart worm and I feel like I should've been able to rely on my vet not to mislead me. Pretty pissed off as now I'll have to get her tested before I can start her on a wormer that does cover it when the vet could've at least told me the wormer did not cover heart worm.

This stuff up on top of the fact that every time we have been we have gotten a different locum vet makes me want to find another. It's a literal 30 second walk from my house but I'd rather drive somewhere to get better service so anybody got a good vet recommendation, preferably in the Melbourne inner city/western region. Familiar with large breeds would also be appreciated!

[ness]

If your dog is under 6 months you don't have to test before starting heartworm prevention. I don't think either of mine started on heartworm prevention until they were 6 months either. No point in giving them more drugs in their system then absolutely necessary.

Edited March 15, 2014 by ness

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

If your dog is under 6 months you don't have to test before starting heartworm prevention. I don't think either of mine started on heartworm prevention until they were 6 months either. No point in giving them more drugs in their system then absolutely necessary.

This is correct advice so don't fret, your vet is doing the right thing.

[persephone]

..If you are ever unsure of what your dog is taking ..just google it ;)

Sometimes mistakes are made, or information is not passed on - typing in the name of a drug will let you access all sorts of info!

if the vet told you the wormer was an 'allwormer'..and that it was also a heartworm preventative , and it isn't , then yes, you were mislead .

[dididog]

Could you explain why you don't have to under 6 months? I'd still probably like to change vets because I'd like to have the same vet every time I go by appointment and somebody more experienced with large breeds.

[dididog]

..If you are ever unsure of what your dog is taking ..just google it ;)

Sometimes mistakes are made, or information is not passed on - typing in the name of a drug will let you access all sorts of info!

if the vet told you the wormer was an 'allwormer'..and that it was also a heartworm preventative , and it isn't , then yes, you were mislead .

He didn't say that in so many words but said that the combination would cover her for everything and didn't mention getting something for heartworm, or saying she didn't need it just yet. I probably should be a bit more informed about what I'm actually giving her though.

[persephone]

Could you explain why you don't have to under 6 months? I'd still probably like to change vets because I'd like to have the same vet every time I go by appointment and somebody more experienced with large breeds.

Once again - asking questions/researching helps pet owners be informed, and better able to work with vets in getting the best treatment for their pets :)

The life cycle of heartworm is such that there are no adult worms present for some months ... and it is AFAIK unsafe to treat with a preventative if adult worms are present

have a look here

CLICK

CLICK

[cavNrott]

..If you are ever unsure of what your dog is taking ..just google it ;)

Sometimes mistakes are made, or information is not passed on - typing in the name of a drug will let you access all sorts of info!

if the vet told you the wormer was an 'allwormer'..and that it was also a heartworm preventative , and it isn't , then yes, you were mislead .

He didn't say that in so many words but said that the combination would cover her for everything and didn't mention getting something for heartworm, or saying she didn't need it just yet. I probably should be a bit more informed about what I'm actually giving her though.

If I remember correctly Drontal covers all intestinal worms. It is not a flea preventative and neither does it cover heartworm.

If your dog is under 6 months of age you can start her on a heartworm preventative without her needing a test.

I have my dogs on Sentinel Spectrum. It's a once a month flavour chew that covers all intestinal worms, heartworm preventative and is a flea contraceptive so if your dog picks up a hitch hiker flea it cannot breed and cause a flea infestation. My dogs have never had worms or fleas on Sentinel.

If you are going to a multi vet practice, when you call to make an appointment tell them you would like and appointment to see Dr.? (your chosen vet)

I go to a multi vet practice and ask to see the vet I wish to consult with. This has never been a problem.

[dididog]

..If you are ever unsure of what your dog is taking ..just google it ;)

Sometimes mistakes are made, or information is not passed on - typing in the name of a drug will let you access all sorts of info!

if the vet told you the wormer was an 'allwormer'..and that it was also a heartworm preventative , and it isn't , then yes, you were mislead .

He didn't say that in so many words but said that the combination would cover her for everything and didn't mention getting something for heartworm, or saying she didn't need it just yet. I probably should be a bit more informed about what I'm actually giving her though.

If I remember correctly Drontal covers all intestinal worms. It is not a flea preventative and neither does it cover heartworm.

If your dog is under 6 months of age you can start her on a heartworm preventative without her needing a test.

I have my dogs on Sentinel Spectrum. It's a once a month flavour chew that covers all intestinal worms, heartworm preventative and is a flea contraceptive so if your dog picks up a hitch hiker flea it cannot breed and cause a flea infestation. My dogs have never had worms or fleas on Sentinel.

If you are going to a multi vet practice, when you call to make an appointment tell them you would like and appointment to see Dr.? (your chosen vet)

I go to a multi vet practice and ask to see the vet I wish to consult with. This has never been a problem.

We have just bought Sentinel and will start her on it. We used Frontline in conjuction with Drontal for flea treatment. This is probably partly my fault for not researching this but also feel like its something the vet should have mentioned because 1) i was a first time dog owner and 2) i would need to have her treated for heartworm eventually and would not have known that what I was doing wasn't covering that had I not googled it so I knew what to ask for at the pet store.

The problem with my vet is the two vets that I have seen have been locum vets who don't work there all the time so it's not like I can necessarily make an appointment with them, I'm not looking for a single vet clinic but just one where I can at least see the same person more than once.

[dididog]

Could you explain why you don't have to under 6 months? I'd still probably like to change vets because I'd like to have the same vet every time I go by appointment and somebody more experienced with large breeds.

Once again - asking questions/researching helps pet owners be informed, and better able to work with vets in getting the best treatment for their pets :)

The life cycle of heartworm is such that there are no adult worms present for some months ... and it is AFAIK unsafe to treat with a preventative if adult worms are present

have a look here

CLICK

CLICK

The second link most people recommended she have a test done first???

[minimax]

Could you explain why you don't have to under 6 months? I'd still probably like to change vets because I'd like to have the same vet every time I go by appointment and somebody more experienced with large breeds.

Once again - asking questions/researching helps pet owners be informed, and better able to work with vets in getting the best treatment for their pets :)

The life cycle of heartworm is such that there are no adult worms present for some months ... and it is AFAIK unsafe to treat with a preventative if adult worms are present

have a look here

CLICK

CLICK

The second link most people recommended she have a test done first???

Research the life cycle of heart worm.

[cavNrott]

The vet practice that I go to has two partners who own the business and three associate vets who have been there for years. I'm happy to see one of the associate vets if one of my dogs needs immediate treatment.

I have been seeing one of the partners for 13 years and when I ring for an appointment I ask to see her.

Get to know one of the regular vets at the practice you've been going to and if you are happy with that vet, ask to see him/her when you ring.

[dididog]

Could you explain why you don't have to under 6 months? I'd still probably like to change vets because I'd like to have the same vet every time I go by appointment and somebody more experienced with large breeds.

Once again - asking questions/researching helps pet owners be informed, and better able to work with vets in getting the best treatment for their pets :)

The life cycle of heartworm is such that there are no adult worms present for some months ... and it is AFAIK unsafe to treat with a preventative if adult worms are present

have a look here

CLICK

CLICK

The second link most people recommended she have a test done first???

Research the life cycle of heart worm.

Okay I just did some reading and understand it a bit better :)

[cavNrott]

The reason people were recommending a heartworm test in that thread is because either the dog was over 6 months old(it was 9 months old)or else the time had elapsed for more than 6 weeks since the last heartworm preventative was given.

A pup under 6 months does not require a test for you to start on Sentinel Spectrum. I note that is the preventative you have chosen.

[dididog]

The vet practice that I go to has two partners who own the business and three associate vets who have been there for years. I'm happy to see one of the associate vets if one of my dogs needs immediate treatment.

I have been seeing one of the partners for 13 years and when I ring for an appointment I ask to see her.

Get to know one of the regular vets at the practice you've been going to and if you are happy with that vet, ask to see him/her when you ring.

Well she doesn't have to go to the vet until October and I hope I don't have to until then so I have sometime to work it out but I'd still like to see if there are some large breed experienced vets in my area in case it doesn't work out with my current vet.

[alpha bet]

One thing to remember is that often giving your dogs drugs like the Sentinel which is an allcover..... is not every vets recommendation. If you do further research you will discover that over medicating is a problem too.

Some vets/breeders etc recommend only using a flea treatment IF the dog has fleas which is usually thru the summer.... tick cover is not relevant in Victoria as we do not have the paralysis tick.... and worming is usually only required 2-3 times per year.... not monthly...

Drug companies love to sell you something every month... after all if you only do things as needed you will probably spend almost 1/10th of the money.... less profit for them....

Annual vaccinations are no longer required.... look into this and you will find that most vets still recommend yearly, yet every 3 years is MORE than adequate.....

Vets can ply you will loads of product that they are making high returns on - new owners feel they need to spend this month to ensure they do all the right things.... but many vets are only quoting the research that is put out in the industry by the pet food and drug manufacturers..... Remember most vets are a GP for multi species.... some vets specialise and have more information on things like diet etc. There are many topics here which have discussed these issues at length....look up discussions on Titre Testing...... Overvaccination.... Raw Diets...... often there are links to specialist recommendations which offer much greater depth than your local vet or pet store......you might be surprised at what you read.

Personally my dogs are vaccinated every three years, have flea spot on applied for perhaps 2-3 times thru the hotter months.... I have never used heart worm (multiple dogs for 30 years) and never had an issue..... I worm twice a year with worm tablets.... now on complete raw diets and I spend next to nothing on 4-5 dogs a year with the vet.... and I am talking about the last 10 years at least.

[Kavik]

You are lucky if no ticks in VIC! They are all around Sydney so I make sure to cover mine year round.

[alpha bet]

The person posting is in Victoria....

[dididog]

We only plan to vaccinate every 3 years after her 1st annual booster. I suppose its a first time puppy paranoia thing and Id rather err on the side of caution for now. My mum is a neat/clean freak and the idea of fleas freaks her out so aslong as I live with her Didi will be flea treated regularly.

[cavNrott]

One thing to remember is that often giving your dogs drugs like the Sentinel which is an allcover..... is not every vets recommendation. If you do further research you will discover that over medicating is a problem too.

I doubt any product would be every vets recommendation.

Some vets/breeders etc recommend only using a flea treatment IF the dog has fleas which is usually thru the summer.... tick cover is not relevant in Victoria as we do not have the paralysis tick.... and worming is usually only required 2-3 times per year.... not monthly...

Drug companies love to sell you something every month... after all if you only do things as needed you will probably spend almost 1/10th of the money.... less profit for them....

Annual vaccinations are no longer required.... look into this and you will find that most vets still recommend yearly, yet every 3 years is MORE than adequate..

If you wait for the dog to get fleas you already have an infestation. So you not only have to rid the dog of fleas but also your house and furnishings where the flea eggs hide. There is the accompanying problem of tapeworm when the dog has ingested fleas.

Vets can ply you will loads of product that they are making high returns on - new owners feel they need to spend this month to ensure they do all the right things.... but many vets are only quoting the research that is put out in the industry by the pet food and drug manufacturers..... Remember most vets are a GP for multi species.... some vets specialise and have more information on things like diet etc. There are many topics here which have discussed these issues at length....look up discussions on Titre Testing...... Overvaccination.... Raw Diets...... often there are links to specialist recommendations which offer much greater depth than your local vet or pet store......you might be surprised at what you read.

Rather than buying products from the local vet it is more economical to buy them online.

Personally my dogs are vaccinated every three years, have flea spot on applied for perhaps 2-3 times thru the hotter months.... I have never used heart worm (multiple dogs for 30 years) and never had an issue..... I worm twice a year with worm tablets.... now on complete raw diets and I spend next to nothing on 4-5 dogs a year with the vet.... and I am talking about the last 10 years at least.

My dogs had their puppy shots and a booster 1 year later. They have not been vaccinated again. The dogs don't need flea protection in the cold months so I switch from Sentinel to Interceptor and back to Sentinel just before it starts to warm up.

We have mosquitoes here for most months of the year. I would not be prepared to take the risk of ceasing heartworm prevention. Dogs are fed a raw diet and have been since pups.

Sorry I don't know how to multi quote so had to use color.