[littlepeanut]

Hi everyone and happy new year!!

My Peanut takes the Heartgard Plus chewables (made by Merial) once a month and the box says it's for dogs up to 25 pounds. He has been on these since I got him, and it's the same situation every month. I gave Peanut one of them yesterday and he has been having major diarrea(sp?). Sorry to be gross, but I'm worried about him. The vet says he's fine, but I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem. Peanut is almost 5 pounds and he's 11 months old. Does that mean he's getting five times the dose he should be getting? We only put out one wee pad in the house and he has been sprinting to the room we keep it in all day. Thank goodness he knows to only go on the wee pad!!! Does anyone know if there is another brand that makes a smaller dose? Thanks

 

[jmm]

A dog can react poorly to any medication. With the chewables, it is more likely to be something in the chew (flavoring) than the active ingredient (ivermectin). Interceptor is another very safe option. The drug in it is different (milbemycin), the size would be 2-10 lbs for your dog. It is a tiny "flavor tab" that you can give in a bite of bread or cheese or canned dog food if he won't eat it.

There is a wide dosing range for many drugs, including ivermectin. Your dog is no where near being overdosed as the dose for heartworm prevention is fairly low.

 

[adorableaccentsdogbows]

If you're having that issue every time I wouldn't take the chance. Plus a Maltese with diarea is not a fun thiing to deal with. It's not easy for you or Peanut. How long does it last?

 

[Ladysmom]

I think Jodi is still on vacation, but I know her Fantasia was having a problem with vomiting up her Heartguard chewable a while back. Maybe she'll see this when she gets back.

I use Interceptor for Lady since it's thought to be better for epileptics, less likelihood of triggering seizures. It's a very tiny pill. Lady has no trouble digesting it.

 

[littlepeanut]

Originally posted by adorableaccentsdogbows.com@Jan 4 2005, 07:48 AM
If you're having that issue every time I wouldn't take the chance. Plus a Maltese with diarea is not a fun thiing to deal with. It's not easy for you or Peanut. How long does it last?
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[/QUOTE]

I usually give Peanut the chewable on the first of the month. I was a day or two late this month, but the diarrea lasts a day. Besides the fact that I am worried about what effect Heartgard is having on him tiny body, Peanut has to basically spend the day in the bath tub. He used to love bath time, and he use to think the Heartgard was a special treat, but now he's figured out that the Heartgard=upset tummy.

 

[saltymalty]

According to our vet, who is a specialist in small animals, Interceptor is much better tolerated by maltese than other preventative wormers. Our puppy has been on it for a while and has had no negative reaction. I would check with your vet on changing the wormer. There shouldn't be a bad reaction, because there are other options that may be easier on both of you! Good luck.

 

[FannyMay]

Yes Fantasia was on heartguard ever since she was able to be on it. But the last few months that she was on it she would throw up. She would only throw up once a month on the day she got the heartguard so I knew it was the problem. This went on for about 3-4 months before I told my vet and switched to the Interceptor. She won't eat it alone like she used to eat the Heartguard, so I just put it in some peanut butter or a small piece a cheese. Sometimes she will eat all the peanut butter or cheese and spit out the pill, so I have to get creative with it lol. I always end up getting her to eat it, but it has become a pain. 3 months and she will have been on it for a full year. Meaning it's almost time for her yearly check up. I don't know what they are going to do since she doesn't get the vaccinations anymore. Maybe they will check her stool.
By the way, that's why alot of vets try to push vaccinations, they want you to come back every year for a check up. If you have nothing to go to the vet for, they might not see you ever and your dog might have a problem that goes unnoticed because of the no vet visit. That's what I believe anyway. Since my vet knows we go once a year weather she needs it or not, I think they are more willing to let us go on the no vaccinations. I always give the Interceptor every month though because heart worm is nothing to play around with. Fantas'a isn't outside enough to need the vaccinations for. She also never gets groomed at a groomer or stays at a kennel. That's why my vet agrees with me about her not needing them.

 

[Maxismom]

Originally posted by littlepeanut@Jan 3 2005, 10:09 PM
Hi everyone and happy new year!!

My Peanut takes the Heartgard Plus chewables (made by Merial) once a month and the box says it's for dogs up to 25 pounds.  He has been on these since I got him, and it's the same situation every month.  I gave Peanut one of them yesterday and he has been having major diarrea(sp?).  Sorry to be gross, but I'm worried about him.  The vet says he's fine, but I was just wondering if anyone else has this problem.  Peanut is almost 5 pounds and he's 11 months old.  Does that mean he's getting five times the dose he should be getting?  We only put out one wee pad in the house and he has been sprinting to the room we keep it in all day.  Thank goodness he knows to only go on the wee pad!!!  Does anyone know if there is another brand that makes a smaller dose?  Thanks

Alissa
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[/QUOTE]


the one i give maxi is 1 to 10lbs and i notice for a day or 2 afterwards maxi's heart races alot i asked the vet and he said we can change the brand

 

[saltymalty]

Originally posted by adorableaccentsdogbows.com@Jan 4 2005, 07:48 AM
If you're having that issue every time I wouldn't take the chance. Plus a Maltese with diarea is not a fun thiing to deal with. It's not easy for you or Peanut. How long does it last?
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[/QUOTE]
Who are those adorable puppies? Are they yours? How old are they? Sorry for getting off subject....

 

[littlepeanut]

Thanks everyone. I am going to ask the vet about Interceptor next month when we go in to get Peanut's retained puppy teeth pulled

and a teeth cleaning.

 

[pico's parent]

Pico throws up after the chewable Heartgard, too. We switched him to the tablet and I just dip it in Cheez whiz and he swallows it with no problem.

 

[Ladysmom]

Jodi, have you tried cream chesse to wrap Fantasia's pills in? It's always worked best for me and Lady gets a number of pills daily.

 

[FannyMay]

Nope never tried it because we never have it in the house lol. I have maybe bought it twice in the 3 years I have been married lol. But I assume if peanut butter doesn't work then neither will cream cheese. She licks and licks till all the peanut butter is off the pill and then spits the pill out. She's a smart cookie. With the cheese she swallows it whole!

*edit: I just read my last post and I said she eats the peanut butter AND the cheese and spits out the pill. That's not what I meant. She only does that with the peanut butter. I only tried the cheese this past month because we were out of peanut butter and she swallowed it whole. I think I will stick with the cheese. I just take a small piece and wrap the pill in it.

 

[Ladysmom]

Whatever works! I've heard liverwurst, too, is good to hide a pill in.

Fortunately, it's not very hard to poke a pill down a dog's throat, not like a cat.

 

[Toby's Mom]

 

[FannyMay]

Originally posted by LadysMom@Jan 10 2005, 12:37 PM
Whatever works! I've heard liverwurst, too, is good to hide a pill in.

Fortunately, it's not very hard to poke a pill down a dog's throat, not like a cat.
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[/QUOTE]


HAHA yeah that's true. I remember that how to give a cat a pill story! HAHA so funny! I wish I could find that again.
If someone knows what I am talking about and they know where to find it, please feel free to post it here!

 

[Ladysmom]

http://www.petsitters.com/crittercare/catpill.html

Not so funny for those of us who have cats.......!

 

[I love my PALBERT]

So if a dog throws up the heartgard, does it mean they are not getting the appropriate medicine from the chew? So, they could be susceptible for heart problems etc?

 

[FannyMay]

Originally posted by LadysMom@Jan 11 2005, 02:20 PM
http://www.petsitters.com/crittercare/catpill.html

Not so funny for those of us who have cats.......!
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[/QUOTE]

Yeah that's the one, thanks Marj! That's so great!

 

[jmm]

Originally posted by I love my PALBERT@Jan 11 2005, 05:50 PM
So if a dog throws up the heartgard, does it mean they are not getting the appropriate medicine from the chew?  So, they could be susceptible for heart problems etc?
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[/QUOTE]

If they vomit the chew, they are not getting the medication. Yes, they are then at risk for heartworm disease and the intestinal parasites that Heartgard Plus covers if you are using that. Heartworm disease is not pretty so, if it is a problem in your area, you should discuss an alternative preventative like Interceptor with your vet.