Heartworm meds and the older Rottweiler

[Bruce Lanthier]

I am considering discontinuing Syd's heartworm medication. He is 11 yrs old and is essentially crippled in the rear. He has had a series of adequan shots and takes rimadyl (100mg in a.m. and 50mg in p.m.) plus gets a glucosomine supplement. None of this has seemed to help a great deal although I think it has helped a little. I suspect nerve damage in his backend because he does not appear to have complete control. Sometimes it seems his feet and legs do not seem to obey him. He has many difficuties in his hips for an 11 yr old. Now to the heartworm issue.

It is my understanding that after infection it takes heartworms a number of years, 2-3, to manifest themselves. If this is wrong please correct me. I am concerned that this is a medication that he doesn't really need and would put an additional strain on his system, all for no realiseable benefit, considering his life expectancy at this point anyway. Before I discontinue the heartworm medication I thought I would seek some input from you folks. Any input concerning this would be appreciated.

One other thing. He has the heart of a lion and you can still see the spark in his eyes. He just has the body of an ancient one. So there is still some good fire inside, I just don't want to dampen the flame needlessly with unnecessary meds.

[MontanaRott]

For me personally Bruce, with our old dogs, 10 to 17, we do not do shots or heartworm preventive. Too many issues with the geriatric dog. Syd is an old man, if he were to get heartworm, most likely he would already be at the bridge before he even showed symptoms. So is the drug worth the risk of side effects? I don't think with a dog his age, or with mine, at their ages, it is. JMO.
Give that old man a pat from one of his legions of fans will you?

[Brooke&Ryan]

Interesting post, Bruce. I'm going to be interested to hear what everyone has to say about this subject.

:)
Brooke

[lblax]

i would probably stop the meds also. but i would ask your vet about the incubation period of the heartworm 2-3 years is this for a already healthy dog maybe it would be 6 months to a year for one with medical problems like syd.. if you think the med. dampens his spirit then by all means stop because my friend it sounds like you have a difficult decision coming your way in time.

[LavenderRott]

After discussing it with my vet and Carina, I have decided to not give Chase her heartworm meds this year. She is between 8 and 10 and a housedog. Where we live the mosquito's are generally only out in the evening, and by then Chase is in except for the occasional potty break.

I have talked to the neighborhood Avon Lady about some Skin So Soft to put on her when she is out at night and I will be adding garlic to her dog food.

[MARYDVM]

It is within six months from the bite of the infective mosquito to the appearance of adult worms in the heart. Depending on how strong the heart is, and how many worms are present, the symptoms of heart failure can appear anytime after that. In areas of high heartworm incidence, a dog could be infected with a large number of worms in one season. This would bring on heart failure more quickly. In areas with a low incidence of heartworm it would take much longer.

[MontanaRott]

Originally Posted by MARYDVM

It is within six months from the bite of the infective mosquito to the appearance of adult worms in the heart. Depending on how strong the heart is, and how many worms are present, the symptoms of heart failure can appear anytime after that. In areas of high heartworm incidence, a dog could be infected with a large number of worms in one season. This would bring on heart failure more quickly. In areas with a low incidence of heartworm it would take much longer.

Heartworm in our area is almost unheard of, another reason we do not do the heartworm meds.

[frontierrots]

I don't given HW pills to dogs over 10

Although I must qualify that. We have a client whose old dog is HW positive and she is on Interceptor year round to keep her worms from having offspring in her blood and thus passing them on to other dogs. In this case I would give the meds

[mmgy]

We are in the heart of heartworm territory. What I have done with my last two older dogs is lower their dose, by giving them the dose one size smaller than usual. My vet and I really haven't discussed this, I pretty much did it on my own. Also, as a regular course, I give it every 45 days or so instead of every 30. Down here we just can't do without it completely.

I would let a big factor in my choice be the geographical influence.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Thanks everyone. Syd is heartworm negative. I am going to check on the incidence rate in my area. Since it happens as fast as Mary says if the incidence is high in my area I may keep him on til fall. The ol' guy just tries so hard I don't want to "hurt" him.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by mmgy

We are in the heart of heartworm territory. What I have done with my last two older dogs is lower their dose, by giving them the dose one size smaller than usual. My vet and I really haven't discussed this, I pretty much did it on my own. Also, as a regular course, I give it every 45 days or so instead of every 30. Down here we just can't do without it completely.

I would let a big factor in my choice be the geographical influence.

Yes, I have to check on the geographical issue. I imagine it will be somewhat less than you but still high. I will certainly give some thought to your course of action with your older dogs. That seems like reasonable way to get through this summer. Even if it were regular strength at 45 days. Thanks.

[Burnsway]

Wow Nice thread! been wanting to confess on this issue. Psyche gets them monthly and regularly and in over dose form if anyone wants to read the help my dog ate too many heart worm tablets thread........

Angel I stopped at 15. I stopped her due to diarrhea every time she got one!

Nicki I stopped at 13. She was throwing them up left and right. I give,......... she vomit........, No matter what vet I talked to they would say just give another. I would........, and she just throw them back up! I do a vet check up and all would come back fine!(No brainer here)

I felt like you Bruce, If he gets them(heartworms) the old age would probably take them faster and when I gave them to nicki she just threw them up and I look at the pill and go ........wow a lot of good that did me or her.......

Told you.......Those Seniors will keep you on your toes........

What a blessing....... :D

[Burnsway]

Originally Posted by LavenderRott

I have talked to the neighborhood Avon Lady about some Skin So Soft to put on her when she is out at night and I will be adding garlic to her dog food.

I did this and others may say yea right!!!!...... But I gotta say...........worked for us.....they hate that(the bugs.......lol)......... :D

But like you it was a fast easy walk........Don't think you can throw a dog out all day and hope for the best. But as a percaution for a fast walk for a non heartworm perventative dog...........IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!

Hell most dogs after 10-13 years just soon piss and get back in to retire........ :D

[frontierrots]

Interceptor is FDA approved for use for the killing of HW only (not intestinal worms) at a much lower dosage. In Canada it is marketed at this dose as Safeheart

The average Rottweiler gets the 11-25lb dose of Interceptor. My Shibas get the 1-10 lbs size

I give my dogs a full Interceptor dose each spring and then switch to the Safeheart dose for the rest of the HW season