I had two chows that died last year after reacting to prescription medications and now I have Rocky who is also turning out to be very sensitive to prescription medications. I tried him on Heartgard first and he got violent, explosive diarhea on just the one tablet (which the vet didn't really believe happened!). After the one day and night spent 'exploding' all over the kitchen he was absolutly fine so I know it was the Heartgard. I convinced the vet to give me a prescription for Interceptor which is what I used on my other chows. The first time he had it, it was a little puppy size dose and he did okay. The studies I read said you can stretch the doses out as much as 60 days and the amounts are really way higher then they need so I felt safe giving him less then the box called for. Today he got his first "big dog" dose and he is really sleepy and lethargic and has spent the whole day laying next to me looking depressed.
Does everyone here routinely give hearworm meds and give them at full dose? I have talked to chow breeders that say they have never given heartworm meds and have never had a case of heartworms. Is the poisen you put in their system worse then treating the worms if they should get them? I'm am trying to find a new vet in my area who will treat my dogs with a little more natural view and appreciate what I am trying to do by feeding them better and limiting their vaccines and medications.
Does everyone here routinely give hearworm meds and give them at full dose? I have talked to chow breeders that say they have never given heartworm meds and have never had a case of heartworms. Is the poisen you put in their system worse then treating the worms if they should get them? I'm am trying to find a new vet in my area who will treat my dogs with a little more natural view and appreciate what I am trying to do by feeding them better and limiting their vaccines and medications.