Routine parasite treatment?

[admin]

Hi everyone

I hope you are all getting along ok? I am looking to pick your brains. Mable is due her routine flea/worm treatment, but I’ve gone into crazy-paranoid-pet-owner mode and am too scared to give them. There’s no sign of her having fleas/worms but she has suffered with fleas in the past, so I do need to keep on top of it. Problem is, I’m (perhaps irrationally?) scared that the treatments could make her ill. She HATES the flea treatment (we used Stronghold) but has never been ill from it. Has anyone heard of parasite treatment kicking off AIHA? (Mable has not had or shown any signs of AIHA, but as Molly’s sister I am worried).
Thanks in advance
Mary (and Mable, who will hide if she sees this post!)x

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[admin]

Hi Mary,

this is a very hot topic in the dog world as well. I know you will get a good answer from someone as to what product to use. I am not familiar with products in the states and fortunately we have been spared by the nasty critters. i know that some people spread out routine treatments to 45 days instead of 30. for worms we have used strongid T. My naturopathic vet considers it safe.

And no you are not paranoid! Well maybe you are to other people, but to anybody that has gone through what we have your worries and reactions are clearly normal:)

Best wishes,

Brigitte

[Vally]

Hi Mary, I’m not using anything on Bingo now.  Bingo did have a case of worms a while back and he was treated with something (can’t remember what) that the specialist okayed.

Are we talking heartworm? Bingo doesn’t get anything for that either.  Vet said it’s not as common here as the pharmaceutical companies make out.  Suggested we don’t use anything. There is a risk involved, but he believes there’s a higher risk in using the medication in Bingo’s case.

With fleas, I’m really just combing them out after walks.  At one stage, after my neighbour moved out, we were inundated with fleas.  My place, the neighbours and two doors down as well (one of whom has no pets). I was combing out about 100 fleas a day.  Thank goodness he’s not allergic to them.  When it was really bad I was using a spray Lynn recommended, Vets Best (contains peppermint oil and clove oil) so not sure that will be any good for Mable – I know you have to be a lot  more careful with essential oils on cats.

Run Mable run!!!

Regards, Vally & Bingo

[Linda]

Hi Mary.  I am not giving Sadie anything either for fleas.  I check her constantly and bath her weekly.

I have, however, started her on TriHeart Plus for heartworm.  It’s just too risky here in FL.  We have had NO winter and they will be bad this summer.  I do it every 45 days (that’s what Jean Dodds recommends).

I was going to use the Dimmitrol, but it only available in Canada and it is a daily dose.  Also, Sadie has not been on anything for the last few months (yes, I was going through the same questions – do I or don’t I – goodness!?!), my vet said there is a US version, but recommended that I keep Sadie on the TriHeart Plus and just give it every 45 days.  If a dog is heartworm positive, and there is no way to tell if Sadie was infected while off her heart worm meds, the Dimmitrol can actually kill them.  Wow – spooked me big time!!  I did not know.  So, we opted for the TriHeart for the next four to six months and then test her again (we did a test Monday, negative, but will need another in the coming months).  That was Monday, so far, so good.

From what I understand, Heartgard and Tri Heart have the same ingredients, but the Tri Heart is a generic brand and less expensive (still way too much!).   Also, both seem to now be the “Plus” version – goodness – well, of course…..

I have spooked with Nauset and what she is going through, not to mention poor Joe.  Sadie was on Trifexis prior to AIHA and I quite sure it was not what brought on her AIHA, but knowing today what I know about the “lack of information” and some warnings, I would not have her on it.  Her sister, Sophie-dog is on Trifexis and has not had any trouble.

You might read Dr. Dodds take on all this:

http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/46289883129/dodds-heartworm-preventives#.Uyn1BjBOWM8

This is the reason Sadie gets the TriHeart every 45 days instead of every 30 days.

I hope this helps a little bit.  It is certainly a conundrum for sure!!

Love and hugs,

Linda and Sadie

[admin]

Hi everyone.

Thank you so much for your replies. It really is a conundrum! I am glad I’m not the only one who worries about this! I will definitely have a look at Jean Dodds information – many thanks for the link. I am considering asking the vets what they think, but to be honest I don’t think they’ll know as AIHA is so rare. I like the idea of spreading out the treatments to 45 days. It seems to be a fine balancing act between keeping them parasite-free and not overloading them with products. Mable last had her Stronghold in January and she is ok at the moment, but her skin became inflamed last year which the vet put down to fleas. We originally used Frontline Combo but for some reason it didn’t control her fleas. I had to treat the house in the end and the Stronghold has worked really well. I’m interested to see that you don’t all treat your dogs for fleas. I will give her a good comb through whilst I consider what to do.

Wormwise, I’ve always used Milbemax tablets with my cats, and from what I can tell, these treat for heartworm, roundworm, tapeworm, and hookworm (Yuck!). I do this much less regularly now, since (thankfully) she has slowed down on the hunting, but I still aim to treat her every few months.

Mable once had a woeful time with essential oils….I kept getting flies and maggots around the outdoor bins, so I decided to rinse the top of them with Citronella oil to keep the flies away. Mable was straight up there, covered in the stuff. A (very stressful, scratchy, wild) bath sorted her out thankfully, but I am very careful now!

Anyway, thanks again for your helpful replies. Sending our best wishes to you all

Mary (and Mable, who is blissfully unaware of this conversation!) x

[Linda]

Hi Mary – just wanted to pitch in on the Vets Best spray.  You can buy it anywhere online but this is a pretty good price.  http://www.chewy.com/dog/vets-best-flea-tick-yard-kennel/dp/45162

It really does work, just don’t do it with Mable around.  I think Lynn uses it too. Vets Best has a lot of great products for cats – check them out.  I’ve been using their products for a long, long time.  Their shampoos (yes, for cats too, waterless!) are wonderful.

Also, I use it and Critter Oil (diluted, mix with water), which is made here in St. Petersburg, FL and was originally meant to be used for equine, horse stables and horse flies.  You can check it out:

http://critteroil.com/

But it is sold here in the “boutique”  pet shops.  It works great too.  They have branched out too and make carpet powder.  I have not used this product, but bet it’s great too.

Hope you’re headed in the right direction with your treatment.  It is so frustrating.  Mable is a lucky girl to have you even if you are talking about ‘stuff’ that will not make her too happy.  She might, however, thank you for the waterless bath product!!  ;0)

Love and hugs, Linda & Sadie

[admin]

Hi Linda

Thank you so much for this information. I really like the sound of these more natural products, so will see if they ship to the UK. Mable continues without any treatment but with regular grooming at present. She is a happy cat today, having had a long day out in the sunshine.

I have never heard of the waterless shampoo for cats and dogs so will definitely look through the site!

Thanks again,

M & M x

[Linda]

You are so welcome.  It is such a conundrum (love that word – it so fits so many of our AIHA situations!!!) about what to do with our pets to keep the pest free.  Sadie JUST started TriHeart Plus and is having some problems and not a clue if this could be the cause…..

Just when you think all is going to be okay.  Trying to keep those positive thoughts right?!

We have a daughter that lived in Scotland, now in England – she has a precious little kitty.  Do you want me to ask her what she uses?  She’s a huge animal lover.  She and her husband do dog walking at the local shelter in Tewkesbury.  :)

Love and hugs, Linda and Sadie