Most heartworm preventatives also work on intestinal parasites, so it's not too much IMO. Danni did have severe pruritis after a dose of Vectra 3D but has been fine on Comfortis and TriHeart.

No arguing Joyce. Just debate.

So what would the explanation be for wild animals that feed theirselves species appropriate diets, but are LOADED with parasites?

I'm willing to wager a year supply of Trifexis for anyone who can show me a wild animal without lots of fleas, ticks, intestinal parasites, or heartworms.

Not gonna happen, and most aren't victims of lawn chemicals or heartworm preventative.

But worming a dog unnecessarily, for all these worms monthly seems like overkill to me. JMO."

This statement really isn't fair, either.

"Unnecessarily" is kinda misguided here, IMO. The "all these" worms are kinda innocent bystanders, if you will. I'm not treating for them, but yes, the AI does kill them.

But "unnecessarily".....2 dogs within a stones throw of my house have contracted and died from heartworm last summer. Weren't on a preventative. No dogs that were on a preventative got heartworm nor died.

In my neck of the woods, they WILL get heartworm without preventative of some sort, or an extremely sheltered indoor life.

Ok, healthy debate is on.

In fairness, I agree that wild animals may in fact be " loaded" with parasites. However, the question we need to ask is, how many of those wild animals actually die from these parasites?

I am sure that there are some that do indeed die from heartworm infestations, and the variety of wild agents like parvo, distemper, etc.

But we really don't have long range stats on the wild wolf or coyote populations across the country.
If anyone has any stats, I would be very interested in seeing them.
Of course, I don't have any numbers here, and that would be inaccurate to even guess. However, if heartworms were so endemic, then would it be fair to assume that all the local coyote populations would be impacted and even decimated by heartworms to the point of death?
How do these wild animals survive then?

What can be said for the increasing numbers of heartworm positive dogs that were actually on heartworm preventative and still acquired the later stage of the disease?

It has been happening too with Frontline topical not being effective anymore. The critters are becoming resistant to these medications. But I digress, and that is a whole other conversation.

I found this and you can take away from it what you will.
http://www.toypoodlerescue.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=223:trifexis-side-effects&catid=3:blog&Itemid=14

FWIW, for me personally, I wouldn't give my dogs Trifexis, if it were given to me for free for the life of my dogs. That's just my own personal choice.

And Joyce, I just wanted to stress again that this is all only for the sake of discussion, and nothing personal. Promise. You are one of my FAVORITE posters here. I highly respect your opinion. Great points, and you have shut me up!

And Anne, your yard looks like crap..... Just kidding!

Katie, how the hell are ya?!

Back in topic......I would love to be able to forgo heartworm meds. I just feel like I'm having to pick betwix the lesser of 2 evils. I guess for my area and my situation, that is heartworm meds, and for others, the heartworm risk is less than the risk the meds have.

Joyce, is it just the Trifexis, or do you forgo ALL flea and heartworm meds?

What I meant by saying unnecessarily, I see worming an animal who is free of worms unnecessary.

If the dog has worms, you treat for worms. But why dose monthly for something that in all likelihood, not there.
Just in case?

 Quote: Michael_Wise

Joyce, is it just the Trifexis, or do you forgo ALL flea and heartworm meds?

Great question. I used to give Iverheart Max last year, and that did have a multi wormer in it. Each and every time I gave it to my dogs, they would get diarrhea every single time.

I switched to just plain HeartGuard, and had zero problems with diarrhea.

But recently, I decided that I was going to try a different approach. Recently, I decided that I was going to focus on building their immunity by giving a product called
'Transfer Factor Canine Complete" and Transfer Factor Plus.
I stopped giving monthly heartworm meds. But I will get their blood work done every 6 months to check and make sure there are no heartworms.

I just had their blood work done and no heartworms. I will let everyone know in 6 months how this works out.

I know a homeopathic vet that has hundreds of dogs that are heartworm free because they have strong, vibrant immune systems.

I know it seems risky and scary. But I truly believe in this.
I have changed the way that I view chemicals.
I am not sure how many are gasping at the thought of going off heartworm meds. But I don't really believe that they are working effectively and view them as more harm than good.

I may be wildly unpopular with my views. But I feel confident that I am doing the right thing.

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

What I meant by saying unnecessarily, I see worming an animal who is free of worms unnecessary.

If the dog has worms, you treat for worms. But why dose monthly for something that in all likelihood, not there.
Just in case?

You're looking at the intestinal worm side of this too much. I agree, intestinal worms aren't a big deal, and in most cases don't deserve monthly preventative. With intestinal worms, you can afford to wait until they get them.

I'm not talking intestinal worms, though.

For HEARTWORM, yes, I give it just in case. There is no easy way out of heartworm once the get it. The treatment for heartworm is harsh, and requires confinement for months to avoid the dog throwing a clot or piece of dead worm and dying. It is a painful process for the dog.

 Quote:

And Joyce, I just wanted to stress again that this is all only for the sake of discussion, and nothing personal. Promise. You are one of my FAVORITE posters here. I highly respect your opinion. Great points, and you have shut me up! smiley for

Thanks Michael, you are one of my favorite members too. Nobody is funnier than you Michael! I mean that.
I highly respect you as well and it is really all good natured debate.