heartgard BAD!!!

S

Scottyg

Forums Regular
I just found out that heartgard can cause BAD problems in shelties and my VET WAS GIVING IT TO US!!!!! ARGH!!!!
:mad::mad::mad::mad:
I didn't know that it was bad! A co-worker who used to have a collie told me it was bad for collies and shelties too...
we've only been giving it to griffin for a short while, but if anyone else is uninformed like I was and is giving their sheltie heartgard... STOP!!!
do a google for sheltie and heartgard for more info!
Interceptor seems to be completely safe...what does everyone else use?


-Scott
 
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Heartgard active ingredient is Ivermectin, and it can be dangerous to hearding dogs (Collies, Shelties, etc) that have a deletion mutation in the
MDR1 gene.

There are actually have tests now that can test for this mutation, to tell if there will be a sensitivity to heartgard.

This comes in handy if other drugs are not tolerated (milbemycin oxime in the case of Interceptor and Sentinal; topical selamectin in Revolution).

Most vets will suggest to stay away from Heartgard with Shelties, but a lot of old timer's still don't.

I have had one Sheltie that was on heartgard due to problems with selamectin, but in a high heartworm infection area, I weighed the risks, and he had no issues.

You are right to be concerned that your vet did not discuss this with you.
(Just so you know, nothing is ever COMPLETELY safe, though)
 
We use Interceptor for our girls. Our breeder also warned us against lepto - not good for Shelties. :no:
 
About Sheltie meds

Scott, I know exactly how you feel, My vet had placed Jewel on meds with the ivermectin for treatment of Heartworms. When doing some research and asking breeders I have discovered That This is a list of NO NOs' for shelties !:eek2: Shots not for them, Corona and Lepto, No meds with ivermectin, they suggest Interceptorfor heartworms and Revolution for Flea and tic. And to my surprise food no-nos onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate I knew that one, Milk and cheese are just if they have allergies to them.:( It can get so confusing.:confused2:
Thanks snowy for the reason why the ivermectin is herding sensitive , see we do learn new things everyday. Thanks again Snowy!!
 
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hmmm. I did not know this about Heartgard! Thank goodness our girls take Interceptor.

What is the recommended flea and tick medicine for Shelties? Our girls take Frontline -- are there any issues with Frontline I should know about?
 
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Interceptor

I have had Shelties many years since the 1970's. Love the Breed. I was told years ago to use Interceptor too...:

I GO THIS FROM THE GOOGLE SITE

The sheltie and collie type breeds can have
severe problems and even die if they have a reaction to the medicine.

'Interceptor' has the least
chance of causing a bad reaction. If your vet does not sell the heartworm
brand of 'Interceptor' then have them write you a prescription for it .
:yes:
I use to get it from Fostor and Smith but now my vet has it...

Mae and Shelties MaggieMae and Tiffany
 
...still mad

I guess I just wish that the vet had at least warned me with a "watch for a reaction to heartgard." It just seems irresponsible to me...
I am glad the Griffin has had no bad reactions, but my friend's collie died of liver failure and the only cause they came up with was either heartgard or antifreeze,,, and the dog had no access to anti-freeze, but was on heartgard for a couple of years...
I just hope that anyone who was unaware of the potential problems with shelties or collies sees this and gets them off it!

-Scott
 
You do learn something new every day on this forum! I knew about the MDR1 gene and Shelties, we have Smoke on Advantage Multi which is topical like Frontline and has been tested for safety in Ivermectin sensitive dogs. As long as we are very very careful that he does not accidentally ingest any we are safe there.

However, I did not know that Shelties were known to be sensitive to the Lepto vaccine!! Smoke was given Lepto as part of his puppy vaccinations and had a terrible reaction to it. Luckily we live 1.5 miles from our vet's office, he was already sick by the time we got him home after the shot and we were able to turn back around and get him back to the office within 5 minutes. It was so scary, his blood pressure dropped, his skin turned white, and he lost everything he had eaten that day. I really really wish we or at least our vet had known about that in advance :(
 
Scott it's Ok to be mad !

Unfortunately because Vets are dealing with so many different breeds , the human factor comes into play. They forget! :o I know it doesn't solve anything because I was extremely upset when I found out about the ivermectin, and the shots that are not recommended for shelties!! :mad: And Yes My Sheltie Jewel who has since gone to the Rainbow Bridge had been given these. :cry: All of them. I can't help but wonder if I had this info prior to her passing could I have prolonged her life. The Guilt is Terrible because , you feel as if you may have played a part in their death by not being totally educated.:cry:
 
I know how you feel Elaine....

I can't help but wonder if I had this info prior to her passing could I have prolonged her life. The Guilt is Terrible because , you feel as if you may have played a part in their death by not being totally educated.:cry:[/QUOTE]

Elaine I know how you feel, I feel the same way every day full of Guilt wondering if I had only known about "GRAPES" My most beautiful Blue Boy "TEEKA" left for Rainbow Bridge Sept. 12, 2007 due to Cancer. My vet knew he loved grapes yet never told me that they were poison for dogs. I understand about the different breeds but this is for ALL DOGS and she still didn't say anything .

I have changed vets and now truely trust this one, "It is not just a 15 minute in and out thing, it is however long you need or want thing"
 
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