- Risk Assessment;
- Consequences and Side Effects;
- How to Offset the Risks and Use Natural Alternatives
- Who is defining the area you reside in as a 'risk area' for heartworm
- What are they defining the risk as - low, medium, high?
- How is the risk level actually defined and estimated?
- What is the actual source of information on which the assessment is based?
- And who is funding the assessment?
Ambient air temperature conditions must be perfect for the heartworm larvae to first survive in the mosquito, and then under the dog's skin during stages L-1 thru to L-4 of development.
- Bitten by a misquoto;
- By being infected by heartworm.
- 65% of adverse drug reactions, and
- 48% of all reported deaths - resulting from drug interactions are casued by conventional pesticide-based heartworm preventatives.
- Aggressive behaviour (sudden aggressive behaviour);
- Autoimmuine 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
- Weaken your dog's immune system;
- Force your dog's liver and kidneys to work over-time to eliminate the toxin from his/her blood stream.
Taking steps to boost your dog's immune system is doubly important when your dog is on chemical-based heartworm preventatives.
- Are exposed to multiple times daily to toxins (ingested, inhaled, surface contact) - more on that further below) on a daily basis;
- As a result the dog carries a constant and heavy toxic load, weakening his/her immune system and making a hospitable environment for a mosquito and it's larvae.
- Fed highly processed food diets;
- Being over-vaccinated;
- Are constantly treated (and unnecessarily so) with immune system suppressive drugs such as antibiotics.
From rabies to leptospirosis ('lepto') and everything in-between conventional-practice veterinarians over-inoculate dogs (again lack of knowledge on their part and in other cases greed). Inoculations suppress your dog’s immune system, contain toxic ingredients, cause cancer, can cause neurological issues, cancer, etc. Humans do not need to be constantly inoculated and neither do canines.
Avoid exposure to harmful chemicals in their food and environment...
- Toxins in commercially manufactured Dog Food, including substances such as Ethoxyquin, GMO, Aflatxoins, corn, soy, wheat and other grains/cereal by products, etc.
- Toxic household cleaners;
- Toxins in pet shampoo;
- Toxins in pet toothpaste;
- Road Salt;
Instead use healthy, safe alternatives such as: - Safe shampoo, and safe, effective dental care interventions;
- Option one: raw diet;
- Option two - raw and cooked foods;
- If you do not want to feed your dog option one or two then find a no grain, no toxins, no carcinogens, no GMO, truly good quality dry dog food - and you will need to supplement with other items such as a good probiotic, omega-3 fatty acids...
- Fresh Foods;
- Garlic; (no SPCA garlic is not dangerous for dogs. Onions, Leeks, chives, shallots etc. are dangerous for dogs - not garlic);
- Herbs;
- Lemon;
- Omega 3-Fatty Acids;
- Organic Apple Cider Vinegar;
- Probiotics;
- Rooibos Tea;
- Turmeric.
- Milk thistle,
- Finely chopped, fresh non-GMO beets;
- Fresh lemon;
- Fresh chopped, or minced garlic;
- Organic dark leafy greens with flax oil drizzled on top;
- Organic fresh or frozen mashed berries with flax oil drizzled on top.
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 | |
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 |
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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld
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