My Guy Tested Positive for Lymes

[Sharon7]

I have used Heart guard and Nexguard on Teddy since he was a puppy. My Vet has suggested Simparica Trio. I have never used this before. Any suggestions or opinions?

Ron, I'm not sure what Simparica Trio is, but I would be very wary of giving something oral that is supposed to last more than a month. The level of toxins needed in their blood for it to last 3 months just gives me the willies.

 

[HikerDog]

For heartworm, we use Interceptor for Toby. It lasts for a month and it also prevents several types of other parasitic worms like hookworm and roundworm.

We live in a housing community with lots of dogs and not everyone is diligent about picking up up after their pet (much to my dismay) Even with that, Toby has never tested positive for any parasites so we’re super happy with how Interceptor performs.

My mom uses Heartgard for her dogs though and she likes that too.

 

[Ann]

Ron, Nexguard is the only one of these types of medications I'd even consider using. As Sharon said, anything like the longer-lasting or combo meds can be problematic. I've said this before, but my fear is always what happens if your dog has a reaction to it? You can wash off Frontline. Once they've ingested it you have no options. And the trouble with these newer meds is that you don't hear about the problems with it for several years.

Years ago, Lacey had a bad reaction to a vaccine, and after that she also reacted to flea and tick meds. The only thing I've been able to use on her is Frontline. It's not perfect, but at least it helps.

 

[Shelby's mom]

We live in eastern PA and tics are rampant here. We have Shelby on Simparica, which is an oral every month. It works very well. With her thick black coat it is virtually impossible to find a tic on her. However I was brushing out her undercoat last week and I found a very small dead tic. It was killed before it had the opportunity to inject anything into her. We also have her vaccinated for Lyme.

we did not like the topicals because I had a hard time believing with her very thick coat that the liquid was being fully absorbed. Plus I didn’t like having to not come in contact with it for a few days. As just too much of a hassle for us.

 

[Ron Atkinson]

Thanks everyone, I have used the Nexguard for along time, and have concerns trying something new without asking for feedback. That's what makes this forum so awesome, chances are you can get answers to your questions. This time I think I will take Anns advice and stick with what I am familiar with. But I really appreciate everyone's feedback.

 

[xRosary]

Oh, I’m so sorry to hear! I know exactly how you feel. I give my girl her Advantix roughly every month. A little too rough apparently because she also contracted Lyme. It truly feels awful.

Unfortunately it did affect her kidneys but they Lyme itself seems to have been banished pretty easily with the Doxycycline. We’re almost done with it. The vet is still very optimistic about her condition.

It really is overwhelming though. I hope your little guy gets a clean bill of health soon. So good you caught it before he had any symptoms! It’s apparently more prevalent than ever this year, both in Lyme cases and tick population.

 

[HikerDog]

Unfortunately, I guess not everything is 100% But we can only do our best ~

I’m glad to hear that your little lady seems to be recovering well. I hope it continues, keep us all updated!

Everything for Toby came back totally normal. We were just told to keep an eye out on any joint pain but that the vet suspects he’s completely fine and won’t need any treatment. They also warned us that the antibodies will likely be present for up to several years when we get his routine tests in the future but that it doesn’t mean he actually has Lyme’s. Phew!

 

[KarenCurtis]

Oh gosh, we are using Frontline. And we did have a couple stray ticks that we’d picked off him this spring despite its use. I figured, like everything, it likely wouldn’t be 100% (especially with all that fluff) But will definitely ask for a different oral medication when we drop his sample off today.

Otherwise, he’s showing absolutely no signs of any illness currently. Still jumping - all four paws off the floor and several feet into the air - for his dinner haha. I’m hoping the immune response means that the vaccine is doing it’s job. Our vet did clarify with me yesterday that it doesn’t mean he has Lymes it just means he was bitten with a tick that had it. But we definitely aren’t going to be taking any chances

We use Credelio tablets once a month and ticks have not bitten our dogs at all. It's the only thing that has worked so far. We live in the northeast, ticks are rampant in our area. We have Minnie vaccinated against lyme, she got it anyways. I'd rather use something that works than have my dogs get lyme, the topicals just don't work that well and getting lyme repeatedly can cause lots of damage.

 

[Sharon7]

I use Credelio also and have had great result with it.

In the winter months though, I use lufenuron (generic Program) and Capstar once monthly. Far less toxic and generally we don't have a lot of ticks in the winter, but fleas are year-round.

 

[Sharon7]

Oh, I’m so sorry to hear! I know exactly how you feel. I give my girl her Advantix roughly every month. A little too rough apparently because she also contracted Lyme. It truly feels awful.

Unfortunately it did affect her kidneys but they Lyme itself seems to have been banished pretty easily with the Doxycycline. We’re almost done with it. The vet is still very optimistic about her condition.

It really is overwhelming though. I hope your little guy gets a clean bill of health soon. So good you caught it before he had any symptoms! It’s apparently more prevalent than ever this year, both in Lyme cases and tick population.

I believe Advantix has been implicated in gallbladder mucocele formation in Shelties, just like the Seresto collar. You might want to switch to oral....