Heartworm Disease Rate in Europe:Is it on the Rise? - Page 1

   Any comments welcome.I found an interesting Article from 2005/NIH Study.
   Annual Blood Sampling etc.,statistics.

       http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15885913
  
     See Link above.

Is everyones dog on heartworm meds?

I had not even heard of heartworms until I came to the US end of 2000 (from Germany).

         For the last 14 years I have given heart worm preventative...This will be the first year I don't.......It has been a very difficult decision to make...


   Deanna...: )

I give a heart worm preventative since we live in a mosquito and fly heavy area (ie. especially since I take her swimming in Lake Erie and a local wetland area).

What for preventative?
Please!

This thread encouraged me to learn more about heartworm.

So, for those folks who are interested:
(apologies if there are problems with the links- the insert url function doesn't work for me)

A 2010 Canadian heartworm survey was recently released by Dr. Owen Slocombe (Ontario Veterinary College, Department of Pathobiology at the University of Guelph). Previous surveys are also available. I really appreciate that this data was made freely available (ie. not behind a subscription wall).

http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/heartworm/2010/

There was a significant increase in dogs with heartworm in Ontario (in comparison to 2002 survey results). 431 dogs (2010) vs. 268 (2002) or a 61% increase. Southern Ontario, where I live, is one of the infection foci for Canada.

Also from the Ontario Veterinary College is an interesting blog entry about a heartworm strain (MP3 strain) that is resistant to standard preventative treatments.

http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2011/04/articles/animals/dogs/resistant-heartworm-cause-for-concern/

I found this really interesting- of the four treatments (Heartgard, Interceptor/Sentinel, Revolution, or Advantage Multi) tested- which one was effective? I read the original journal article and Advantage Multi (imidacloprid/moxidectin) provided 100% protection in a single treatment. Of course, I’m a bit cautious since Bayer (maker of Advantage) also funded this investigation. My dog currently is on Sentinel so I'll have to do some more research to see if I should change her medication.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21295409

Laura Briggs

44 commercially sourced beagle dogs, 7-8 months old. Disgusting on so many levels. 

I do not know anyone who moves in the same circles as i do, that is the ScH sport who gives any preventive products to there dogs for Heartworm over here in Belgium
Steve1