Very interesting. I've used most types of heartworm preventatives including the Proheart injectible. I can honestly say I haven't had any problems with the injectible (I use it probably 30-40 times per month). Furthermore I haven't received a drug alert from Fort Dodge, the FDA, or the State Veterinary Office concerning Proheart. That being said, the article was very disturbing, although the article didn't make it clear whether there was proof that the Proheart injection caused the autoimmune hemalytic anemia in the first place. This particular disease can be set off by a number of things including viruses and certain types of plants.
However. I think I will give our state vet a call to see what information they have. Thanks for posting the article.
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I have also been told that herding dogs should not take heartworm medication, period. Supposedly herding dogs have a gland in their brain that other dogs don't have, and this type of heartworm medicine can kill them. Has anyone else heard anything about this?
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Not exactly correct. Certain herding breeds (mainly Collies) are very sensative to Ivermectin (Ivomec) which is found in many types of heartworm preventatives including Heartgard. Dosages that are safe for most dogs can cause side effects in these breeds. However the dose of ivermectin is extremely small in Heartgard and should be safe even in Collie breeds, although they should be used with caution in this breed. If anyone is worried switch to Intercepter which doesn't use Ivermectin.
Overall I feel dogs should definitely be on some form of heartworm preventative. There is a much higher chance that your dog will die from complications secondary to heartworm disease than dieing from a reaction to one of the preventatives, especially in hunting dogs. Something to keep in mind.
PET OWNERS BEWARE
