heartworm medication for a rough collie - Page 1

what is the best heartworm medication for my 6 month old rough collie puppy?

I always used Interceptor for my collie.
The breeder told me never to use ivermectin.. collie breeds could die from it.

This was Taffy:

I used Interceptor also when i had my collie.  I forget the issue with Ivermectin but my vet warned me about using it with collies.

The mdr1 mutation is what causes ivermectin sensitivity in collies and is why people are cautioned about using any drug containing ivermectin, along with many other drugs known to cross the blood-brain barrier. If you get the test done to see if your puppy has the mutation, you will know if you even need to worry. If your pup does not have the mutation, he/she can have heartguard. If you are panicking about the interceptor recall, talk with your vet about using a lower customized dose of ivermectin. Most reported cases of toxicity occurred at very high levels of the drug, much much higher than what is found in a monthly preventative.Btw, you don't need to make new posts for the same question. You can just write "bump" in the submit comment box under your post if you want it to appear at the top.

Ok, this is what I was wanting to do but couldn't from an iPhone:

Check this link for a list of drugs known to cause problems in collies with the mdr1 mutation:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcpl/drugs.aspx

You can get your dog tested at the same place: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/test.aspx


Drugs used to treat heartworm:

Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent). While the dose of ivermectin used to prevent heartworm infection is SAFE in dogs with the mutation (6 micrograms per kilogram), higher doses, such as those used for treating mange (300-600 micrograms per kilogram) will cause neurological toxicity in dogs that are homozygous for the MDR1 mutation (mutant/mutant) and can cause toxicity in dogs that are heterozygous for the mutation (mutant/normal).

 

Selamectin, milbemycin, and moxidectin (antaparasitic agents). Similar to ivermectin, these drugs are safe in dogs with the mutation if used for heartworm prevention at the manufacturer's recommended dose.  Higher doses (generally 10-20 times higher than the heartworm prevention dose) have been documented to cause neurological toxicity in dogs with the MDR1 mutation.

they stopped production on interceptor. What is another good possible heartworm medication for my collies?

Read my previous posts... There is no "best" for collies with the mdr1 mutation. To my knowledge, every heartworm medication on the market can cause toxicity symptoms in collies with the mutation, even carriers. You must do the research and decide for yourself which one presents an acceptable risk, and at what dosage.

I have an aussie who tests out mutant/mutant for the MDR1 gene, she HAS the gene, and would pass it on to her offspring.
With that, and the Intereceptor shutdown going on, I contacted WSU, about what I can give her IF I run out of Interceptor, they told me to go with the lowest dose of Heartguard.  I'm very paranoid about doing this for a couple of reasons, she is M/M, and she's 12 years old even tho she is in excellent health.. So, will hopefully have enough to last me until they start up productions again

Well, in the old days.. before all the convenient once-monthly stuff....
We used to use FILARIBITS.

I's a once a day tablet... I have no idea if they still make it..

I swear my collie breeder was still recommending it  for all her collies as recently as 5 years ago.

Then there was this foul-tasting Styrid caricide liquid...  which was cheaper.
I wish that  they still manufactured that stuff, not for heartworm prevention, but because it was the only sure thing I ever found that NO dog would touch if you put in on something.. (like bandages or furniture)
It was THAT disgusting to dogs..

You might try giving my old breeder a call...  her name is Lil Sayre, and she has Holmhaven Collies in south Florida. Its on the web.
She might have a suggestion, or might know where to get the Filaribits.

Good luck!