Heartworm & Flea meds for those under 5 lbs.

34847 Views 63 Replies 31 Participants Last post by edelweiss, Mar 30, 2012

CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · Jun 2, 2010

I typically like to do my own research but I just don't seem to have a lot of spare time right now to do the research. And I know there is just a wealth of knowledge here so I would love it if you all would share your knowledge and research with me.

I like to treat my babies both traditionally and holistically. I don't like to overdue vaccines and I hate heartworm meds and flea prevention. But in my area it is a necessary evil. Thankfully Jett is a little over 5 lbs. Zoe & Jett are both on Interceptor and Comfortis and I feel I've chosen the less of the evils so to speak. However Callie is not quite 4 lbs yet. When I took her to the vet for just a well puppy visit, she gave me a sample of Revolution which is an oral treatment for both heart worm and flea prevention. And it goes as small as 0 to 5 lbs for the dosage. So I'm thinking for the dosage and the fact that I'm not having to give 2 different meds, that might be the best choice? Also, since Callie and Jett really play, tussle and mouth joust each other, I'm thinking an oral med is the better way to go?

What do you all do for the ones under 5 lbs?

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MaryH

· #2 · Jun 2, 2010

Crystal&Zoe said:
I typically like to do my own research but I just don't seem to have a lot of spare time right now to do the research. And I know there is just a wealth of knowledge here so I would love it if you all would share your knowledge and research with me.

I like to treat my babies both traditionally and holistically. I don't like to overdue vaccines and I hate heartworm meds and flea prevention. But in my area it is a necessary evil. Thankfully Jett is a little over 5 lbs. Zoe & Jett are both on Interceptor and Comfortis and I feel I've chosen the less of the evils so to speak. However Callie is not quite 4 lbs yet. When I took her to the vet for just a well puppy visit, she gave me a sample of Revolution which is an oral treatment for both heart worm and flea prevention. And it goes as small as 0 to 5 lbs for the dosage. So I'm thinking for the dosage and the fact that I'm not having to give 2 different meds, that might be the best choice? Also, since Callie and Jett really play, tussle and mouth joust each other, I'm thinking an oral med is the better way to go?

What do you all do for the ones under 5 lbs?

Okay, I'm confused and I'm struggling like you Crystal with how to deal with heartworm and ticks (flears are not a big issue around here). I just did an internet search on Revolution and it says it's a topical treatment (like Frontline), not an oral treatment. Did your vet give you pills or vials like Frontline?

On this same subject, I just got off the phone with one of the new puppy owners. They were concerned because they gave Teddy Heartgard yesterday, he vomited this morning, wasn't much interested in food and didn't want to play. Why do people not listen??? I specifically said I would not give Heartgard to a puppy that young (5 mos. on 6/5) and that small (4 lbs.) since the smallest dosage is good for dogs up to 25 lbs. :smilie_tischkante: Thankfully they called the emergency vet, and magically he perked up while they were on the phone. Part of the disinterest in food is probably also that he is teething (the others are starting to get some adult teeth now) and to soften his food with water and microwave it for 20 seconds. So what have they beein doing? Hand feeding him chicken and cheese!! It will all work out, I'm sure, but until then .... I'm biting my tongue and it's starting to hurt!

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CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 2, 2010

MaryH said:
Okay, I'm confused and I'm struggling like you Crystal with how to deal with heartworm and ticks (flears are not a big issue around here). I just did an internet search on Revolution and it says it's a topical treatment (like Frontline), not an oral treatment. Did your vet give you pills or vials like Frontline?

On this same subject, I just got off the phone with one of the new puppy owners. They were concerned because they gave Teddy Heartgard yesterday, he vomited this morning, wasn't much interested in food and didn't want to play. Why do people not listen??? I specifically said I would not give Heartgard to a puppy that young (5 mos. on 6/5) and that small (4 lbs.) since the smallest dosage is good for dogs up to 25 lbs. :smilie_tischkante: Thankfully they called the emergency vet, and magically he perked up while they were on the phone. Part of the disinterest in food is probably also that he is teething (the others are starting to get some adult teeth now) and to soften his food with water and microwave it for 20 seconds. So what have they beein doing? Hand feeding him chicken and cheese!! It will all work out, I'm sure, but until then .... I'm biting my tongue and it's starting to hurt!

lol...dang I'm tired. Yes, it is a topical NOT an oral. I prefer an oral. Don't worry...I did not give it to Callie by mouth!:HistericalSmiley:

The A Team

· #4 · Jun 2, 2010

I am interested in this also as Ava is only three pounds. I will be giving the kids their heartworm meds this week (1st time since last fall). If there's something better for the smaller ones....I'm listening....

I really don't want to give anything for fleas/ticks until I see the first one, if they don't walk in grass or sand, we can avoid them all together. My yard is all decking and the front is landscape stones.

coco

· #5 · Jun 2, 2010

My vet put Coco on the puppy dose of Revolution. She got sick on the kind they eat. Revolution is for fleas and heartworms.

jmm

· #6 · Jun 2, 2010

Topical heartworm makes me just a little hesitant with dogs that are bathed so frequently. I know it is suppose to be fine...but it just makes me squirm a little.
Comfortis can be used for dogs under 5 lbs. Your vet just needs to call the company for instructions. If this is your preference, it can be done safely.

CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 2, 2010

jmm said:
Topical heartworm makes me just a little hesitant with dogs that are bathed so frequently. I know it is suppose to be fine...but it just makes me squirm a little.
Comfortis can be used for dogs under 5 lbs. Your vet just needs to call the company for instructions. If this is your preference, it can be done safely.

I had read that but did not understand if they just needed to make sure your dog is not underweight, certain health issues, etc and then used the same dose, or if they somehow compounded it for the smaller ones? If they can somehow compound it for your dogs weight, I'd like to do that for Jett too since he's just barely over 5 lbs. Do you know much about it? Are any of yours under 5 lbs and what do you have them on?

jmm

· #8 · Jun 2, 2010

Mine are both over 5 lbs and take Interceptor and Comfortis.
But I spoke at length with a Comfortis rep a few weeks ago. There is no reason why it cannot be dosed for a smaller dog other than the sizes they picked made the most sense for sales purposes. There is no medical reason it cannot be given. I'm not sure what their instructions are as I have not needed to do it.

CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 2, 2010

jmm said:
Mine are both over 5 lbs and take Interceptor and Comfortis.
But I spoke at length with a Comfortis rep a few weeks ago. There is no reason why it cannot be dosed for a smaller dog other than the sizes they picked made the most sense for sales purposes. There is no medical reason it cannot be given. I'm not sure what their instructions are as I have not needed to do it.

Thanks! I'll contact my vet.

Pure Paws

· #10 · Jun 2, 2010

Hey Crystal

There is a recipe where you can make your own heatworm medicine with the ivermectin that is in heartgaurd. You then give them only the amount of cc's depending on their weight and not this 0 to 25 lbs. stuff. I am curious also if you are seeing any fleas with the shampoo.

CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 2, 2010

Pure Paws said:
Hey Crystal

There is a recipe where you can make your own heatworm medicine with the ivermectin that is in heartgaurd. You then give them only the amount of cc's depending on their weight and not this 0 to 25 lbs. stuff. I am curious also if you are seeing any fleas with the shampoo.

No I've not seen any fleas. But then Zoe & Jett are on Comfortis (5-10 lb dosage) and I gave Callie the Revolution (0-5 lb dosage) so I wouldn't expect to see any. Does PurePaws shampoo help prevent fleas?

Pure Paws

· #12 · Jun 2, 2010

Crystal&Zoe said:
No I've not seen any fleas. But then Zoe & Jett are on Comfortis (5-10 lb dosage) and I gave Callie the Revolution (0-5 lb dosage) so I wouldn't expect to see any. Does PurePaws shampoo help prevent fleas?

All of the products are Ph balanced with citric acid which is a natural flea and tick repellent. As you know Susen and I have several Maltese and we do not treat our yard or the dogs and I do not have one flea. We do have dogs next door and last summer they complained about how bad the fleas were. All I know is that we feed them quality food and use the products and something must be working:aktion033:

CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 2, 2010

Pure Paws said:
All of the products are Ph balanced with citric acid which is a natural flea and tick repellent. As you know Susen and I have several Maltese and we do not treat our yard or the dogs and I do not have one flea. We do have dogs next door and last summer they complained about how bad the fleas were. All I know is that we feed them quality food and use the products and something must be working:aktion033:

Hmmmm....well now I want to try not using a flea med. But I'll be honest...it makes me very very nervous.:huh: I also wonder if it would work as well for those breeds that people aren't diligent weekly bathers like we Maltese owners are. Oh to be able to not give flea meds OR deal with greasy spots from natural remedies! That would be awesome!

MaryH

· #14 · Jun 2, 2010

Crystal&Zoe said:
Hmmmm....well now I want to try not using a flea med. But I'll be honest...it makes me very very nervous.:huh: I also wonder if it would work as well for those breeds that people aren't diligent weekly bathers like we Maltese owners are. Oh to be able to not give flea meds OR deal with greasy spots from natural remedies! That would be awesome!

Chrystal, I used to use Frontline (for fleas and ticks) but hated the greasy spot, especially on show coats. I haven't used it in at least 5 years now. My dogs hang out in the yard, go to public grassy places, and go to dog shows. Other dogs in the neighborhood get fleas if they are not treated with something but my dogs stay flea free. I really do believe that fleas do not find a clean body to be a very welcome host. My cut down dogs get bathed every 7-10 days and fleas have not been a problem. Maybe you should skip the next flea treatment and just keep a close eye on your dogs to find out if they even need to be treated. If you see a flea or two then just start up on flea treatment again.

wooflife

· #15 · Jun 2, 2010

Crystal&Zoe said:
Thanks! I'll contact my vet.

Crystal - let me know what you find out. Now that Izzy is under 5 lbs again I'll need to figure this stuff out. I tolerate the greasy spots on the boys because fleas drive them absolutely bats, but Izzy isn't bothered by flea bites so I'd rather just get them off of her.

I'm going to talk to Dr. Becker again and get her opinion on heartguard vs. interceptor. I'll let you know what she says. I had been planning on using interceptor again..until now....

CrystalAndZoe

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 2, 2010

wooflife said:
Crystal - let me know what you find out. Now that Izzy is under 5 lbs again I'll need to figure this stuff out. I tolerate the greasy spots on the boys because fleas drive them absolutely bats, but Izzy isn't bothered by flea bites so I'd rather just get them off of her.

I'm going to talk to Dr. Becker again and get her opinion on heartguard vs. interceptor. I'll let you know what she says. I had been planning on using interceptor again..until now....

Most holistic vets say Interceptor. Why are you thinking Heartguard? Did I miss something? It's really early and I've not had my coffee yet so I probably have. If I wasn't worried about fleas, I'd be doing Interceptor for sure.

~~~~

Mary....I know that from time to time I've left the Comfortis go longer then the 30 days, even in winter, and have found a flea. :*( So I'm thinking my area must be worse then yours for fleas since mine get bathed weekly. But that was before I started to use PurePaws so I am really hoping that works.

wooflife

· #17 · Jun 2, 2010

The paper work I have from Dr. Becker says:

"We are in a heartworm endemic area and need to provide protection to our dogs starting April or May 1 (after the termperature has been above 60 degrees for 3 weeks) through the second good frost (hard freeze). After heartworm testing in the spring dogs can receive Heartguard (not heartguard plus with the monthly dewormer) every 45 days. we recomend giving dogs milk thistle daily for one week after each heartworm pill to help the liver detoxify (most milk thistle capsules are 125 mg) give small dogs 1/2 cap daily, medium dogs 1 cap daily and large/giant dogs 1 cap twice daily." The text in purple was highlighted for my dogs which range 4.6 - 17 lbs.

Interceptor prevents against more worms than just heartworm - so my guess is that she doesn't want to give any more meds than are necessary. I deduced this because she also specifies not to use Heartguard plus.

In other online research - I'm not sure how current it is - I read that interceptor is newer and some vets prefer sticking with Heartguard because it has a longer history without problems.

I'm really trying to investigate this thoroughly so if anyone has other opinions or good information to share please do so. Every peice of information will be useful in making my final decision.

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wooflife

· #18 · Jun 2, 2010

Moving on to fleas and ticks - I'm still doing my own research on these as well but this is what was recomended.

Garlic - small dogs 1/2 clove daily (not pills or powders) to repel all parasites internal and external.

Essential Oils - Ectopamine which is a natural spray that repels fleas, ticks and mosquitos. Available on Amazon.com

Frontline or Advantix for topical anti-tick treatment.

Comfortis is the safest oral medication for flea prevention. It is only labeled for prevention of fleas but works for ticks as well.

Again thoughts and opinions welcome for all of the above...

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Rocky's Mom

· #19 · Jun 2, 2010

wooflife said:
The paper work I have from Dr. Becker says:

"We are in a heartworm endemic area and need to provide protection to our dogs starting April or May 1 (after the termperature has been above 60 degrees for 3 weeks) through the second good frost (hard freeze). After heartworm testing in the spring dogs can receive Heartguard (not heartguard plus with the monthly dewormer) every 45 days. we recomend giving dogs milk thistle daily for one week after each heartworm pill to help the liver detoxify (most milk thistle capsules are 125 mg) give small dogs 1/2 cap daily, medium dogs 1 cap daily and large/giant dogs 1 cap twice daily." The text in purple was highlighted for my dogs which range 4.6 - 17 lbs.

Interceptor prevents against more worms than just heartworm - so my guess is that she doesn't want to give any more meds than are necessary. I deduced this because she also specifies not to use Heartguard plus.

In other online research - I'm not sure how current it is - I read that interceptor is newer and some vets prefer sticking with Heartguard because it has a longer history without problems.

I'm really trying to investigate this thoroughly so if anyone has other opinions or good information to share please do so. Every peice of information will be useful in making my final decision.

Oh geez, so many different vets say different things. My vet said to give Rocky the Heartguard and when I got home and gave it to him...I noticed the box said Heartguard Plus. He also said he will not check him for Heartworms again becasue he did that and won't do it again till he's a year old? Does this make sense? I'm a little confused...I think I'll call him today. Note: After giving him the Heartguard Plus he was fine.

MalteseObsessed

· #20 · Jun 2, 2010 (Edited)

I know very little and am worried about my little ones, but finally gave in to giving them their dose of Advantage Multi for 3-9 lb. Both my pups are under 5lb (one is 3 1/2 and one is 4 1/2). I probably did something really wrong, but I shared one dose (tube) with both pups. They did fine afterwards, but Tweety's coat really discolored where I dosed her. Cosette's fur was fine.

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