Does Your Dog Really Need to Be On Heartworm Medication? The Truth about Heartworm Prevention, Conventional Preventatives, Natural Safe Alternatives
- Risk Assessment
- Are You Really in a High-Risk Zone?
- Does Living in a High-risk Zone Mean You Have No Choice?
- Pressure To Use Conventional Heartworm Preventatives
- How Does Infestation Occur?
- Conditions Must be Perfect for Infestation to Occur
- How Do Conventional Preventatives Work?
- What Conventional Preventatives Do
- Consequences And Adverse Side Effects
- Adaption of Mosquitoes and Heartworm Larvae To Conventional Preventatives
- Risk of Adverse Effects To The Individual Dog
- Examination of an Example Product, HeartGard
- Why Did My Dog Spit It Out?
- A Model of Natural Immunity
- Use a Layered Natural Approach To Prevention
- Examples of Conventional Insect, Parasite Preventatives and Adverse Side Effects
- Learn More About Conventional Preventatives and Natural Alternatives
- Answer those questions.
- Expose the truth about conventional heartworm prevention products.
- Provide you with the opportunity to learn about natural alternatives.
- Who is defining the area you reside in as a 'risk area' for heartworm
- What are they defining the risk, low, medium, high?
- How is the risk level actually defined and estimated?
- What is the actual source of information the assessment is based on?
- Who is funding the assessment?
1.1 Are You Really in a High Risk Zone
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Some locations along the Gulf Coast (i.e. New Orleans).
- Some parts of Texas
- Skewed data
- Incomplete reporting (on, e.g. side effects, testing results, comparisons and alternatives).
- Don't provide 100% protection from heartworm.
- Cause serious acute and long-term health issues, including (a partial list):
- Endocrine system damage.
- Gut issues and conditions.
- Immune system damage.
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage.
- Neurological system damage, leading to:
- Seizures.
- Death.
- They profit from the sale of conventional heartworm prevention products.
- They profit from 'looking after' your dog when the toxic pesticides (in the conventional products), destroy your dog's health.
- They can choose to educate themselves about better alternatives.
- They choose not to...which is equivalent to not caring.
2.0 How Does Heartworm Infestation Occur?
2.1 Conditions Must be Perfect For Infestation to Occur
- Survive in the mosquito.
- Then survive under the dog's skin.
- Then survive L-1 thru to L-4 of larvae development.
- The larvae do not survive in a dog with a properly supported immune system.
- Dogs on highly processed food diet, taking conventional pesticides, and toxic personal care products:
- Do not have a properly supported immune system.
- Do have an acidic blood and urinary pH.
- These dogs are the perfect host for heartworm larvae.
3.0 How Do Conventional Heartworm Preventatives Work?
3.1 What Conventional Preventatives Do
- Bitten by a mosquitoes.
- Infected by heartworm.
- If your dog is already infected with larvae, ingesting the preventative will not kill the worms
- A different treatment will be required if your dog is already infested.
- Because conventional preventatives are NOT effective.
4.0 Consequences and Side Effects of Conventional Preventatives
4.1 Adaption of Mosquitoes and Heartworm Larvae To Conventional Preventatives
4.2 Risk of Adverse Effects To The Individual Dog
- 65% of adverse drug reactions, and;
- 48% of all reported deaths - resulting from drug interactions are caused by conventional pesticide-based heartworm preventatives.
- Aggressive behaviour (sudden aggressive behaviour)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Fertility problems
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Liver problems
- Loss of appetite
- Nose bleeds
- Paralysis
- Pneumonia
- Thyroid problems
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Skin eruptions
- Sudden death
- Vomiting
- Weakness
4.3 Wash Your Hands, Why?
- Avoid contact with your skin.
- Wash your hands directly after touching the product.
- Weaken your dog's immune system.
- Damage your dog's gut, endocrine system and nervous system.
- Force your dog's liver and kidneys to work over-time to eliminate the toxins.
4.4 Examination of an Example Product, HeartGard
- See the chart in section 6 of this article.
- More in this article.
Safety phrase(s)): KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN (S2)
(Precautionary statements) KEEP AWAY FROM FOOD AND DRINK (S13)
DO NOT EMPTY INTO DRAINS (S29)
IF SWALLOWED, SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IMMEDIATELY AND SHOW
THE CONTAINER OR LABEL (S46)"
ivermectin ingredient may include: drowsiness, nausea, vomiting,
tachycardia, somnolence, blood pressure variations, slow breathing, dilation
of pupils, tremors, and incoordination."
months, showed signs indicative of intravascular haemolysis"
- When your dog urinates residue of the ingested toxin ends up in the environment.
- As noted in this article, the use of these synthetic chemicals have and continue to cause the adaption of mosquitoes to the chemicals.
- End result, increasing lack of effectiveness in killing heartworm.
- However your dog's body does not evolve to manage the toxic ingredients.
- End result, your dog's health and wellness is significantly harmed.
- Risk increases with repeated and long-term use.
4.5 Why Did My Dog Spit It Out?
- Hesitate to take it.
- Refuse to take-it
- Take it and immediately spit it out.
- Learn more about flavoring in this article.
- Learn more about self-selection in this article.
4.6 A Model of Natural Immunity
- Fight-off infestations of heartworm and/or;
- Manage a heartworm infestation so the host fox, wolf or coyote is never in mortal danger. from the heartworm larvae.
- Are exposed multiple times daily to toxins - ingested, inhaled, injected, etc.
- The result is an:
- Acidified body.
- A weak immune system.
- The body is attractive to mosquitoes.
- The body cannot kill the larvae.
- Fed highly processed food diets (kibble and canned food).
- Over-exposed to conventional medication (injected, ingested, topical).
- The weakened immune system that leads to the infestation.
- The weakened immune system that cannot perform it;s normal task of killing the larvae....
5.1 Don’t Expose Your Dog to Unnecessary Conventional Medications
- Acid reflux and other gastrointestinal issues
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Food allergies
- Kidney, liver and heart issues
- Metabolic Issues
- Oral health issues
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Stones
- etc.
5.2 Avoid and Reduce Your Dog's Exposure to Toxins and Carcinogens
5.3 Use Safe Non-Toxic Topical Alternatives to Repel Parasites and Insects
- Go to this article.
5.4 Get Your Dog on a Species Appropriate Diet
Transition your dog to a species appropriate raw diet.
A species appropriate raw diet is the foundation for a healthy immune system. A species appropriate gently cooked diet is the next best choice.
There are many articles on fresh raw foods and homemade food recipes on this blog site. Search the blog labels on the side bar, or use the blog search function.
6.0 Example of Conventional Insect, Parasite Preventatives and Adverse Side Effects
Active Ingredient | Target | Side Effects | Used
In (examples) |
Cautions |
Amitraz | Ticks, Mange, Scabies | Can cause high blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low blood pressure (hypotension), low body temperature (hypothermia), sedation | Proventic | Commonly used in mange dips and tick collars. Do not use on dogs under 12 weeks of age, do not use on aged, sick, medicated, pregnant or nursing dogs |
Arylheterocycles (most common - Fipronil) | Fleas, Ticks | Can cause irritation - I was unable to find details on what was meant by ‘irritation’…i.e. skin irritation? | Frontline | Do not use on dogs under 8 weeks of age, sick, medicated or aged dogs |
Dinotefuran | Fleas | Can cause immune system toxicity. | Vectra | Do not use on debilitated, aged, medicated, pregnant or nursing dogs, or dogs known to be sensitive to pesticides, aged, sick, pregnant or nursing |
IGRs (methoprene, fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfen) IDIs (lufenuron, diflubenzuron) |
Fleas | Can cause vomitting, diarrhea | Program, Preventic | Read the label - age of puppies products can be used on varies, do not use on aged, sick , medicated, pregnant or nursing dogs |
Imidacloprid | Can cause drooling, skin irritation and may cause miscarriages and skeletal deformities. | Advantage II | Do not use on dogs that are: aged, nursing or pregnant, sick or under 7 weeks of age. | |
Ivermectin |
Heartworm, | Neurotoxicity - depression of the nervous system followed by ataxia. Dogs with defects in P-glycoprotien can suffer severe poisoning | Heartgard, | Most Collies cannot tolerate this substance and should not be given meds that include Ivermectin. Do not use on dogs under 6 weeks of age, aged, sick, medicated or underweight |
Milbemycin oxime | Roundworms, Hookworms | Can cause stupor, tremor and ataxia | Interceptor, Sentinel | Not to be used on Collies or other herding breeds. Often used in products that include Ivermectin. Check the label of the specific product for puppy age restriction. Do not use on breeding, pregnant dogs or dogs with epilepsy |
Nitenpyram | Blow Flies, Fleas, Maggots | Can cause Lethargy/depression, vomiting, itching, decreased appetite, diarrhea, hyperactivity, lack of coordination, trembling, seizures, panting, allergic reactions including hives, vocalization, salivation, fever, and nervousness | Capstar | Should not be used on pregnant and nursing dogs |
Pyrantel pamoate | Roundworms, Hookworms |
Can
cause facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden diarrhea, vomiting, shock,
seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma.
|
Usually
used in combination with Ivermectin, i.e. used in Heartgard |
|
Pyrethrins |
Fleas, Ticks, Lice, Mites, Misquitoes |
Can
cause tremors, depression, convulsions, death
|
Bio Spot Flea and Tick Spray or Spot on Flea Control | Do not use on dogs that are aged, sick, medicated, pregnant or nursing. Do not use spray on puppies under 12 weeks of age, do not use oral tablets on dogs under 6 months of age |
Pyrethroids |
Fleas and Ticks |
Can
cause drooling, tremors, vomiting, seizures
|
K9 advantix II | Do not use on dogs that are: aged, nursing or pregnant, sick or under 7 weeks of age. |
Praziquantel | Tapeworms |
Can
cause drooling, sudden diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, staggering, vomiting
|
||
Selemectin | Heartworm, Fleas, Mange, Mites, Ticks, Parasites |
Can
cause hair loss, skin issues, and burns, permanent immune system damage, etc.
|
Revolution | Do not use on puppies under 6 weeks of age |
Spinosad | Fleas |
Can
cause loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting
|
Comfortis | Do not use on pregnant dogs or dogs with epilepsy, dogs under 14 weeks of age |
- Conventional flea, tick heartworm products.
- Conventional intestinal parasite products.
Thank you for trying to educate people about this. I have four dogs, and i refuse to go along with this over immunization movement of our pets. We were awaken to the facts when our boston terrier ended up with blood cancer at three, and she was given everything recommended by the vet prior. I also do not conform to the garbage we call dog food, so I make their food at home from scratch. I am currently trying to find a holisitc vet, as I do not want to get forced into doing anything to my pets I don't believe in. Not enough people do research and often look at me like I have two heads when I try and explain. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteYou have one head and it is a good one :>) The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)updated guidelines for vaccinations 2 years ago in recognition of the fact that annual inoculations are not necessary and are in fact health threatening. In the updated guidelines the AAHA specify that non-rabies core vaccines (distemper and parvovirus) are good for (provide immunity for) a minimum of 5 years and the vaccine for adenovirus is at minimum good for 7 years. The AAHA set the requirement for core vaccinations at every 3 years - and have admitted that even that was over-vaccination. Despite the issuance of the new guidelines (2 years ago!) by the AAHA many veterinarians are holding fast to the old allopathic protocol of annual inoculations. The only vaccine required by law is rabies and rabies inoculations were also recommended to a 3 year protocol, however an overwhelming number of veterinarians continue to insist on annual inoculations - the real reason - reluctance to give up the income annual inoculations bring in. Cheers, Karen
DeleteI have 4 dogs and one is Heartworm positive.The vet prescribed Advantage Multi but,it doesn't work very good on my dog and he is allergic to fleas, what can I give them that is natural,no chemicals that will really work and be safe for them?
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth - going natural must be done holistically - with a properly designed diet nutrition and topical plan - for that you would need to purchase consultation time.
DeleteWow, this information makes so much sense. I have 2 german shepherds. My vet insists on keeping them on heartworm preventative all year round. I kept trying different brands but my sheps would vomit each time and just lay on the floor panting. I would feel horrible giving this to them because I'm told they must have this to prevent heartworm and at the same time I feel like I'm hurting them with these meds. It's so sad that when we love and care for our animal friends and want to do our best keeping them healthy there's those who we trust (the vets) who won't fully educate us on these chemicals they push on us to give to our pets
ReplyDeleteI have a dog who became extremely ill shortly after a round of "safe" de-worming. Even if I didn't have my doubts about flea/tick/heartworm medication (hint: I do!), I wouldn't be using them on this particular dog. Even DE made him ill. Since tweaking his (home prepared) diet, focusing on the health of his immune system, and addressing his emotional balance, fleas don't bother him.
ReplyDeleteEverywhere I go, I read or hear people saying "(insert topical flea control product) just isn't working anymore! I treat monthly and my dog is still infested!" Yes, address the underlying issues first and ditch the poisons. It also makes me wonder, since we can visually SEE if a flea control medication is or is not working, how do we know if the heartworm prevention we're using is working or not? These medications give us all a false sense of security; taking a holistic balanced approach just makes so much more darned sense.
Great article.
ReplyDelete