What About DAILY heartworm meds?

N

Number 3

Forums Regular
Hello from Australia! I am researching into Heartworm meds for my 10 week old Sheltie girl who is Mutant/normal for MDR1.

Does anyone use this DAILY heartworm tabs that contain Diethylcarbamazine? In Australia its called Dimmitrol and I think it used to be called Filaribits in the US. Seeing that this drug is not on the list as one to avoid for +/- I would like to use it if possible.

I wonder why when I did the search, that nothing came up on this forum for this medication??

Any thoughts about using it? Do you use it?
 
hot topic of debate in my area

CO is not considered a breeder state because it doesn't supply the needed heat most of the year to help the mosquito population, and there has to be adequate heat for the little larvae to mature and thrive. And you have both camps, the "poison" camp vs the "medication" camp, because basically you are subjecting your pet to poison to kill an invader, and that is why it is considered dangerous to keep introducing poison (medicate) into a dog to possibly eradicate something that might grow, or might not. Some argue that it is preventative, and some argue the times for best prevention. I personally don't know of any dog in my area that has ever had an issue. I do blood testing. But in warmer climates, I don't know how I would deal with it. I think I would find the least invasive approach possible.
 
I actually hadn't heard of DEC/Filarbirts or really any daily HW medication until now. So I did some really quick research. Looks like Filarbirts was discontinued but since there are at DEC generics out there, I imagine Pfizer let the patent expire. What I did read said to avoid Filarbirts Plus because it contained oxybendazol (http://www.dogaware.com/articles/wdjheartwormprevention.html also mentions one dangers of daily.) I'm not sure I like the idea of the increased risk from missing one day and having limited options to keep up the same protocol if the generics go off the market as well. I'll be interested to see what the vets say, usually these threads are about monthly HW meds.

My n/n sheltie is from Texas where the infestation rate is much higher, the rescue we adopted her from regularly pulls dogs from shelters and owner surrenders that test positive and it is really hard on their system to clear it. Because of that, our adoption contract has the condition that we must keep her on year-round treatment. We have her on Trifexis because that is what most of the fosters in the rescue use it and for the last three years we haven't had a problem, but that doesn't mean we won't and I have been keeping an eye on what is on the market to see if there is an alternative that I like.
 
I wonder if that's the med that was dispensed at the vet I worked at back in the mid 80's? I do recall when the monthly became available it was a huge improvement, most clients had trouble giving the daily meds consistently.

All I recall is it was a small white round pill.
 
Its the only one in Australia that doesnt contain Ivermectin and doesn't contain other wormers/flea/tick additives, which I am trying to avoid. I like to give meds separately instead of mixing them all. Where I live in Australia, all round year H/W preventative is required.

I figured that when I feed her just give her the tablet. Its readily available here. I think I would forget the monthly ones more than I would forget a daily tablet.
 
I remember giving my Sheltie 'Buddy' Filaribits back in the 80's.
we lived in MO, which is total mosquito hell!
I don't remember when the switch to monthly happened, but most people look at me like I'm from Mars when I mention the old daily heartworm med :D
 
I remember using those too. I think it was the late 70's and 80's. By the late 80's or early 90's, I think the Heartgard products came out.
I was so glad to have a choice for my pom and my collie. Eventually, my collie was not able to take the Heartgard(after she was poisoned). My pom Cricket took the filaribits for a little while then stayed on heartgard until shortly before she passed away at 18+.

I remember how glad I was when the Heartgard came out. Living in a permanent mosquito haven, we have to have heart worm protection all year long.

I use Advantage multi for Sunny and Snow.

Pam and Sunny and Snow
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top