11 Things You Must Do...

[ColColt]

I guess this could have been posted at either of the two forums here but, I was wondering if anyone had seen this anywhere or know of Michele Welton and her background and e-books she has online. I downloaded a couple of her books and she seems to know what she's talking about. She's been doing this (Training and Obedience) since 1978. In the book, "11 things you must Do Right...", she talks about everything from nutrition and behavioral problems to choosing the right vet and making your house/yard safe.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/ebooks/11T.html

[corgimom]

No, I can't say that I have read anything from her. Is she one of these people that believes in applying more of a a "natural" approach/treatment when it comes to our pets? I would be curious to know how she feels about heartworm pills and flea medications?

[ColColt]

I tried my best to copy what she says about heart worms but the .pdf file format the books come in won't let me copy it. I tried highlight and copy but, the function wasn't there. So, I tried Ctrl-C and that didn't work. Obviously, she doesn't want the information copied.

Here's what she said in essence about heart worms. She goes on in length about heart worms and how dogs get them and then recommends Heartgard Regular instead of the Heartguard Plus because it has "additional poisons for fleas, ticks, hookworms, ear mites, etc." She calls this a "pharmaceutical overkill". Further she states that no dog needs a constant poison in his body just in case a simple ear mite shows up and that if a parasite shows up-THEN treat it. The Heartgard Regular contains ivermectin whick kills heart worm microfilaria without all the additional poisons of the Plus version. She does indicate that the vet may also recommend Interceptor, Sentinel, Revolution or ProHeart.

I jotted this down since I couldn't copy it...hope that helps a little about the heart worm problem. Wish I could have copied it all as it was very informative.

[ColColt]

As for the fleas, she says to keep your dogs immune system strong by adding fatty acids like "The Missing Link" (whatever that is). Doesn't recommend Frontline ans says it's a marketing ploy by the manufacturer and the vets-sort of a marketing control thing.

She does recommend Fleabusters Rx For Fleas and to spray "nematodes" on your lawn to gobble up flea larvae. This chemical is in Bio Flea Halt, Orcon and Interrupt. She was very adamant about not using flea sprays, shampoos, collars or foggers.

Much more was shown but my hand got cramped writing it all down! After all that, it's about time for me to throw in a scrumptious TV dinner!

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by ColColt

Here's what she said in essence about heart worms. She goes on in length about heart worms and how dogs get them and then recommends Heartgard Regular instead of the Heartguard Plus because it has "additional poisons for fleas, ticks, hookworms, ear mites, etc." She calls this a "pharmaceutical overkill". Further she states that no dog needs a constant poison in his body just in case a simple ear mite shows up and that if a parasite shows up-THEN treat it. The Heartgard Regular contains ivermectin whick kills heart worm microfilaria without all the additional poisons of the Plus version. She does indicate that the vet may also recommend Interceptor, Sentinel, Revolution or ProHeart.

I think that it depends on the situation the dog is in. I agree that most dogs won't need the added stuff and I'm one who uses as of things like this as possible.

In fact for me I don't use any flea preventatives as we don't have fleas here. And I don't use heartworm preventative because the mosquito that carries it isn't in this area. (They are in Utah, but not in the mountains where I live. They are closer to the north end of the Great Salt Lake.)

So, IMO, no one answer is great for all dogs. You have to decide what your dog needs and what you're comfortable with.

Peggy

[Jespah]

"The Missing Link" is a powdered food supplement. My dogs are on the Missing Link Plus formula - it has glucosamine added to it as well. When I got Jemma she her breeder recommended a supplement - but the kind she uses is shipped up specially from Florida - she also recommended the Missing Link. After a month on it I saw a huge difference in Rupe's coat - ultra shiny, and he doesn't limp after too much running like he used to.
Here is the link if you're interested in more info:

http://www.trinatural.com/the_missing_link/index.php

Deb

[corgimom]

My vet was telling me late this summer that he had treated 5 dogs in one week for bad flea infestation and the owners were only giving them the garlic pills. I use frontline Plus on Cody, but I only apply it every 3 months; I know others do it monthy. And Lyme disease is another thing to worry about in our state.

My sister in laws dog died of heartworm disease; I choose to give Cody the Heartguard, but yes, everyone has to base their decisions on what they feel comfortable with and also on where they live and what their dogs can be exposed to.

[ColColt]

It seems the only solution to heart worms is an injection of Immiticide or arsenic from what I've read. That's certainly dangerous enough it itself. She mentions to be sure to get the vet in early Spring to do an antigen test, which shows any adult heart worms. A link was provided to study further this topic.

http://www.danebytes.com/heartworm.htm

Between work, trying to figure out this new digital camera, recently downloaded e-books, four new books I bought at Borders, and all the great info on this forum, my mind is about to go into an overload condition!

[corgimom]

T-Gal's, Miss Emma just recovered from having heartworms; maybe she can refesh us once again with what meds Emma received from the vet and how it proceeded from there.

[Heatheranne]

Speaking of preventing parasites (fleas in particular), here is something to think about. Since we live in Florida, fleas always have the potential to become a problem. I was very diligent about using Advantage on my westie Darby (photo attached) and applied it between the shoulder blades, just as directed. When he was about 9 or 10, I noticed that he had some type of growth - guess where? Right where I had always applied the Advantage. From time to time it would become irritated - maybe it was growing, I don't know. Anyway, it would seep and bleed for a couple of weeks and then settle down again. I never asked the vet (Darby had more serious problems) but I am suspicious. Linda, I think that the idea of using it once every 3 months is probably quite a good approach.

Heatheranne

[milosmom]

I do use Frontline and Milo has never had fleas. I use it until we get our first hard frost...so from about Nov or Dec to April he does not get the flea treatment. He also gets bathed frequently and so does his bedding. It seems to be working because i've never had a problem.
I admit i'm pretty uptight about it...I do check his skin, since it is nice and pink and his fur is not dark...it would easy to spot fleas and their flea dirt. He gets Interceptor heartworm med. So far, so good.

[tandemgal]

Off the top of my head I can’t remember the name of the medicine Emma was given. The treatment called to 2 shots - one shot, stay over night at the Vet, and 2nd shot the next day. Em reacted badly to the 1st shot and stayed two nights b4 she was released. The Vet decided to wait 30 days b4 her 2nd shot.

When home she had 2 low dose aspirin a day and was to be crated for 30 days - only to come out for potty breaks. This was to keep her to minimal activity so she wouldn’t have a heart attack or stoke. The risk of Em having a blood clot from dissolving heart worms was the reason for the crate time. After a few days it seems to me Emma was more stressed being in her crate 24/7 than was acceptable to me. I let her have the run of the kitchen - she was so ill that “run of the kitchen” consisted of her laying either in her crate with the door open OR laying under the kitchen table. After a week of kitchen time I let her roam in the house - that also consisted of her laying in her favorite places. About a week b4 her next Vet apointment she seem to be feeling better.

Emma’s 2nd shot - again she needed to stay two nights at the Vets. Again she was very ill... shaky and only felt like laying down. We followed the same routine. There were several times over that 60 days I did not think Emma would make it. It took several weeks after that for Emma to regain her strength.

She now takes Interceptor. In two more months she has another heart worm test. IF she would test positive we start the same treatment all over again... She now seems to be fine but I worry that her heart has been weakened and whenever she makes odd noises in her sleep I worry that the heart worms are still there...

My Girls will always get their heart worm pill and Frontline every month - even in the Winter now...I believe Emma developed heart worms while not on Interceptor during the Winter months last year.

Colt your article was very informative on how heart worms develop - thanks.

[corgimom]

Deb,

Thanks for responding; give that little Emma a big hug from me.