Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - Heartworm alterntative

I had sent an email to Jean Dobbs asking if she knew of an alternative for heartworm as I will never give TC heartworm again. I live in Florida so I must use something. For all who are seeking an alternative this is her reply, As all the monthly heartworm products are og the same phamacological class [avermectins], if the trigger for his IMHA was the heaertworm pill, then he cannot safely have any more. The alternative product must be given daily and is available again in this country -- Dimmitrol [an Australian product]. Just put the name in your search engine to find a vendor for it. Best wishes. Jean ob

Wendy Tampa FL

I have been giving my non AIHA dog, Maddie, the daily heartworm pill each summer for the nearly 6 years I have had her. I have the DiethylCarbamazine Citrate compounded at the Foster & Smith pharmacey after getting the script from my vet.

Joanne MN

Thanks Joanne, what do you use for flea/tick protection?

Wendy Tampa FL

I use NO flea/tick protection

Joanne MN

Wendy did this include interceptor which is not ivermectin? It is milbemycin oxime which does not sound like it is related to ivermectin and since they say you can give it to collies (which you aren't supposed to give ivermectin) I assumed they were different medications? Did Dr. Dodds provide information on this? Mary and Missy

Mary Tx

I'm curious about her recent POV on Interceptor as well. My vet consulted with Dr. Dodds on Murray's case and I followed up with her directly as well - she indicated Interceptor every 40 - 45 days would be acceptable. Maybe the distinction is whether or not it is believed the heartworm medication was the trigger for the IMHA? In Murray's case it was not. There is a fairly high incidence of heartworm in Illinois so I feel he should be given some protection - I'm just trying to figure out what is safest - I'll be researching the drug Wendy and Joanne mentioned above. Bonnie

Bonnie Chicago

Mary & Bonnie, Dr.Dodds did not mention Interceptor. I believe TC's IMHA was brought on by the heartworm. He vomitted yellow bile frequently when given the Heartguard but my vet said not to worry. He collasped on Wednesday and I had given him the Heartguard Monday evening. So I will be going with the daily pill...

Wendy Tampa FL

Dr. Dodds advised that a 45 day treatment cycle was acceptable and that is what we are following. There has been no unwanted reaction to the dosage. An aside: I lost my beautiful Standard Schnauzer Heather in 1977 to what was probably one of the first cases of heartworm in NYS. At that time very few people knew about this disease and there were no protective meds on the market. She suffered a great deal, probably as much as any dog who has aiha. We were helpless to provide any treatment. I know it's hard to make a decision based on what you have heard here and other places about these meds. New information in recent years has shown a genetic link to a number of breeds that cannot tolerate these meds. Any competent vet should know these connections and advise owners appropriately. If you don't feel you have been appropriately advised, do some research on your own. Just 2 years ago a dog just down the street was found to have advanced heartworm. The owners didn't routinely protect the dog and had never heard of heartworm. That indicates to me that it is a contractible disease in my area. I would never want another dog to go through the agony that Heather went through. I also am on a tick forum and I read many horrible stories about dogs that have contracted tick borne diseases. I have a good friend who contracted lyme disease and went undiagnosed and then under treated for it. She lost her job and now lives in constant pain and disability. These diseases are prevalent in the US. To protect yourself and your dogs, do research so you can educate yourself about what is the best way to go about this. It's too easy to say that the drug companies haven't warned us of the dangers of these meds. They have been responding to a need in this country to protect animals from terrible diseases. In the end, I am the one in control of the situation and I will make the decisions based on the information I have gathered. Patrice

Patrice New York State

FRist time i ever heard of heartworms was early, 70's when my dad's elderly English Setter was diagnosed, treated with ar*enic 9treatment of the day0, went blind and died a couple of days lter. Our golden retriever mix wa right at a year old when we adopted her and already had heartworms and we had to put her thru the treatment. It is harsh physiclaly and mentally on the dogs--they have to be crated for weekks. It was the heartworm preventative, ProHeart6 that brought my golden retirever, Hunter, AIHA. It was a 6 month injectable that released the drugs over 6 months. never again will i use an injectable or time release one. After his death i found out that batches put on the market in July were being recalled because the time release spheres were not working--only we never duid find out if they were all releasing at once, not releasing at all, etc. It hit the market in July and he got his injection Aug. 28 and died Oct. 16. Never again will I trust that kind of "protection."

Sandra Texas coast

I was thrilled to know of the Dimmitrol, and it is fairly inexpensive online. I will never use traditional heartworm med, or flea/tick product or vaccinate again.

Wendy Tampa FL

Dimmitrol is basically filarabits (same drug) and same drug as what Joanne uses. It was used for years before the monthlies came out. I remember my mom giving it to our dogs when I was little. I did have a friend about 10yrs had her LAB get HW while on filaribits. the dog ate the pill candy and it was not that they forgot. She is a nurse and not the type to forget. We also live in a swamp (ie Houston)..... Mary

Mary TX

We also use heartguard every 40-45 days. It was the best compromise for the risk in our area. Slinky hadn't had heartworm preventative for at least 6 months prior to her IMHA onset, so we don't consider it a trigger for her.

Stephanie Chicago

This thread was discussed between 04/11/2007 and 08/11/2007

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