Ok, so I've already read that it isn't a good idea to use ivomec on collies or collie mixes. So what DO you use? I have two 6 mo old puppies and one is 1/2 border collie and the other is a pitbull/shepherd/whoknowswhat mix. How do you figure out a dog's weight? I don't even have a bathroom scale.

Diane

-- Diane W. (ddwtx777@hotmail.com), March 04, 2001

Answers

Diane, I used to work for a vet. The situation is, heartworm medication is a poison that kills the worms in the bloodstream before they can arrive in the heart. However, if your dog has heartworm, the preventative can kill them, that is why they do the test before prescribing the medication. Some vets suggest giving year round, in which case, the test wouldn't be necessary.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), March 04, 2001.

We have collies and the problem is that they are more sensitive to ivermectin and it's relatives than other breeds. You cannot be careless. Much as I hate to pay the higher price for "Heartgard", which is the preventative we use, (and it contains, I am told, small and precise amounts of ivermectin), I'd hate much more to lose one of "the boys"! Were I you, I would check with a trusted vet before I took a chance. Once a dog has heartworm, any breed is in big trouble. Standard treatment is arsenic, and the trick is to administer enough to kill the worms and not the dog. Much better to use the preventative. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), March 06, 2001.

Yes, take him to the vet and have him tested for heartworms, then put him on the once-a-month heartworm preventative that's good for a bunch of other types of worms. At my vet, the test is only $20 and 6 month's worth of preventative is $36. After that, I don't think they have to give the test again unless they've gone without the preventative for a couple months and might have heartworms ~ if you give them the preventative and they do have heartworms, the worms will die and float around in their bloodstream, very likely killing your dog ~ that's why the test is so important beforehand. The preventative is in a "treat"-form that you give your dog ~ mine love it. It's far easier than anything else I've used to worm my dogs and the price is right!

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), March 06, 2001.