I have been told by my vet office that will not release "okay" to online companies that I order pet meds from, because they can not "guarantee" like in the case of Hearguard for heartworm prevention… and things like this… then how in the world are they even able to sell it with the same packaging and all?

This is was answered by :
☆takecareofmycat☆ :
This question requires a very thorough answer and because of that, I'll just leave this article for you to read and get more info. It's written by a vet and very detailed.

http://www.dolittler.com/index.cfm/2008/3/13/pets.vet.veterinary.prescription.1800petmeds.dogs.cats

I have not had my dogs checked this year yet, but want to start them on a heartworm medicine. Is this in some way bad for the animal?

The answer is provided by :
Bozema :
Never start preventative without getting the heartworm test first. If they are positive, then the preventative can harm them - the worms can die and cause blockages in the heart and the circulatory and respiratory system.

We have a holland lop bunny - he is an indoor pet but wants to spend time doing something different. We want to put him in a rabbit hutch outside for part of the day as long as it is nice outside. I don't want him to get heartworms or fleas - any advice?

This is was answered by :
Guinea pig foster mother :
According to the House Rabbit Society, Revolution (selamectin) is generally safe for use on rabbits. However, you'll need to consult a rabbit-savvy veterinarian to determine the correct dosage and treatment regimen for your rabbit. It is NOT necessarily safe to apply Revolution using the instructions given for animals of other species. If you live in the United States, I suggest consulting the list of US rabbit vets at http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html . If you're in any other country, go to http://www.rabbitvet.net/ instead.

By the way, one flea-prevention product NEVER to use on a rabbit is Frontline (fipronil), which is linked to neurological damage and death in rabbits.

Fleas are only one of the hazards faced by rabbits who spend time outdoors. See http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/hazards.html for information on others to avoid. In your shoes, the hazard I'd worry about the most is that of predators trying to attack my rabbit. Even if they can't break into the hutch, the terror of an attack could do lasting harm to the rabbit. It might be a good idea to bring a book outside and sit next to your rabbit's hutch so you can chase away any stray cats or other predators. If your rabbit will have access to fresh grass while outdoors, another thing to think about is whether any chemicals have been applied to the lawn that may be harmful when ingested.

They have had all their first shots and deworming. Now how often do they need care? heartworm meds? flea meds? Do I only get these from the vet?

Thanks!

The answer is provided by :
OrngTby :
MONTHLY!!!

Alright, now, puppies are typically put on heartworm, flea, and tick prevention after 8 weeks old (or thier first vet visit). Heartworm prevention is very important, but where do you live. Here (where I live) heartworm is a year round requirement unless you want to pay $1500 for imiticide treatment for heartworms and give this toxic arsenic product into thier bodies because you didn't prevent it in the first place. Heartworm prevenion brands includes oral and topical products. Oral medications include Heartgard (does heartworms, round worms, and hookworms), Interceptor (does heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms), and Sentinel (does heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and sterilizes fleas). Topical include Revolution and Advantage Multi. If you live in a high risk area, oral prevention is always recomended for heartworm prevention.

Fleas and ticks are a seperate medication. Topical prevention includes Frontline, Advantage, Advantix, Advantage Multi, Revolution, ProMeris, Vector 3D. Now, remember not all of these do ticks though and some are lethally toxic if applied to a cat. There are also oral flea prevention that is monthly called Comfortis (which is my recomended product if there is no risk for ticks).

All products should always be bought with your veterinarian and many of them are actually only available through your veterinarian (like Comfortis and ProMeris - if the parent company finds that they are being sold on PetMeds or any other place that is not a veterinary practice - the company attempting to sell this is punished as it is illegal).

I never suggest using PetMeds or any other online pharmacy because you have a relationship with your veterinarian. If heartworm prevention is purchased though a vet, shown that it is given monthly, and heartworm tested regularly, then they will pay for treatment if they are infected with heartworms. Most veterinarians will also price match thier products if you ask them too. But I mean, I don't buy my antibiotics or any medications for myself from online, I want to see where my product is coming from since it is being given for an important reason. Therefore, I wouldn't want to do it to my pets.

Besides, as a puppy, these products are weight dependent so as your puppy grows, you may need a different size of the chosen product. Therefore, start out by buying them by month and take your dog in for monthly weight checks until it is within range for its adult weight. Small dogs have an advantage here as Heartgard goes 1-25lbs and small breeds never get over 25 lbs unless grossly obese.

So speak with your veterinarian about what products you should choose. Perhaps you live in an area where heartworm prevention is only needed for spring and summer and whipworms are never seen. Or, like me, live in an area where heartworm prevention is a must year round and whipworms are pretty common. Once you know what you need, get it from your vet. Buying products from your veterinarian shows them that you are a loyal client that depends on them for your pets needs.

Good luck!

does anyone know where to find revolution for dogs 5-10 lbs. for cheap. that's the only thing i would like to use and i was just trying to see if i could find it cheaper than my vet charges, which is a 3 month supply for $36 .

The question was answered by :
oregano13 :
Petsmart and other pet supply stores won't carry it as it is prescription in the US, as far as I know. This site is based out of Canada, I think, so doesn't require a prescription. They charge $29 for 3 months http://www.totalpetsupply.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/product.display/pn/Revolution/product_id/5074.htm?gclid=COfat7jA0ZICFQdgsgodMCV3Gw

We are attempting to adopt a dog from a rescue group. They have a couple we are interested in, but they both are heartworm positive. One is already in treatment, and the other will begin within the week. How long, once treatment is started, does it take to get them healthy? Mind you, these are young, healthy bulldogs.

The following reply is by : Shelby K :
QUICK!!! They have to keep quiet for a few weeks during treatment…but after that…..it is ON!!! They will be fine….HW's today is not the same as it was even 5 years ago…..

Thanks for adoption….you ROCK!!!!

I have a pup that is 16wks.What age do you start heartworm meds?

The answer is provided by :
♥Golden gal♥ :
At 16 weeks old! I started all my pups at this age!

I was just reading some material on feline heartworm that my vet gave me for our new kitten. In it they say there is no approved treatment for heartworm. How do they test for it?

The answer is provided by :
De-De :
Fist link is best but go to the second if you want to read more on the paragraph below.

Today we must use what is referred to as an "Occult Heart-worm Test" As above we first draw a drop or two of blood. The blood is then processed in a detection kit. This kit actually detects antibodies to the adult heart-worms by causing a color change in the media of the test. (Antibodies are proteins produced by the dog or cat's immune system in attempting to control the heart-worm from within). Since this test does not rely on actually finding microfilaria, it is much more sensitive for detecting adult worms present in the heart. In the old days the microfilaria test would yield a false negative if the adult heart-worm wasn't producing microfilaria as in all female or all male infections. Yes they can happen! Also for some crazy reason microfilaria do not circulate in the blood during the day hours as much as at night. God only knows where they hang out during the daytime. Aren't parasites strange?

we were at the vet yesterday, and she had blood drawn for heartworm. so i could get the new prescription and meds for her. well they gave us the new script, but how long will it take for the test results?

The answer is provided by :
boxersdodrool :
About 20 minutes. If they gave her the meds, she should be negative, but they should have told you that as well. Call them to verify.

I had my 5 month old puppies spayed and neutered and the vet asked if I wanted heartgard. I said yes, however I thought to myself:weren't they supposed to have a heartworm test before giving it? Or do heartworms takes like 6 months to develop and therefore it would not be necessary yet?
However, what if they got bitten by a mosquito in their first days of life? will the heartgard stop them from developing, or could they still develop and obstruct them?

The question was answered by :
A Great Dane Lady :
There's a vet in Florida who has an interesting article on Heartworm and the pill.
Http://www.evidencebasedvet.com
Click on articles and scroll down to the one on heartworm.
Heartworm pills can be given to heartworm positive dogs. Dr. Malernee links you into the government's website and the original studies for the heartworm pill. The pill does not have to be given every month!