Alternate treatment for heart worm?

[anart]

Heartworms are a serious issue where I live, in fact one of my best friends just lost her dog to heartworms a few months ago because she didn't want to give him the toxic preventives, and by the time the heartworms were detected, it was too late.

I was hoping I could just get a blood test once a month or so, and only treat if the test was positive, but called my vet, who shares my dislike of poisons, and found out that by time Heartworms can be detected, they are already breeding and even with treatment, there could be permanent damage.

As spring fast approaches, I'm faced with the decision of whether or not to use "Heartgard" (which appears to be the least damaging of the preventives) or not?

I really don't know what to do? Give my baby small doses of poison to prevent a deadly disease that I know is prevalent in my area, or don't, and risk him getting a deadly condition?

My prior dog took Heartgard for most of her life, and did live to be 16, even without the benefit of an all raw meat diet for all but the last 2 years of her life....so I'm leaning towards giving the Heartgard during non-freezing months, but I would really appreciate some input.

Are there ANY natural proven preventatives? I haven't found any, but that doesn't mean they don't exist?

My vet has said that with a healthy immune system, a heartworm infection can actually just run one cycle and be done, but most dogs have compromised immune systems due to diet. But, anyway, he puts together an alternative parasite control powder that contains Diatomaceous earth, neem and organic yarrow. The instructions are to sprinkle on the animal and work into the fur and onto the skin, especially in armpits, groin, under the collar, feet and around ears. It can also be sprinkled onto food for internal control of heartworms, but only after making sure the animal doesn't already have heartworms, since killing them off en masse can cause serious issues if they're already in there. It's supposed to be applied weekly or after every water experience.

I used it last summer and had no critters on my critter, but we didn't get out enough to really test it, so I'm not really sure how effective it is. It shouldn't be inhaled though, or get in the eyes because the diatomaceous earth is such an irritant. Anyway, fwiw - our resident vet might have more ideas.

 

[Guardian]

My vet has said that with a healthy immune system, a heartworm infection can actually just run one cycle and be done, but most dogs have compromised immune systems due to diet.

Yeah, that's my big "if" ...will his raw meat diet protect him?

But, anyway, he puts together an alternative parasite control powder that contains Diatomaceous earth, neem and organic yarrow.

I just looked and these are the exact same ingredients in the Buck Mountain flea and tick dust I use. I also sweep DE into the carpets and floor cracks because it kills everything that crawls. WONDERFUL stuff, but I wonder if it would help against something in the bloodstream?

 

[anart]

My vet has said that with a healthy immune system, a heartworm infection can actually just run one cycle and be done, but most dogs have compromised immune systems due to diet.

Yeah, that's my big "if" ...will his raw meat diet protect him?

It should unless he has other issues. If it worries you, though, just get the chemical treatment so you don't worry about it. It will take a few years off of his life, but who knows what the future holds anyway.

But, anyway, he puts together an alternative parasite control powder that contains Diatomaceous earth, neem and organic yarrow.

I just looked and these are the exact same ingredients in the Buck Mountain flea and tick dust I use. I also sweep DE into the carpets and floor cracks because it kills everything that crawls. WONDERFUL stuff, but I wonder if it would help against something in the bloodstream?

It has to be ingested to do that, thus sprinkling it on food. I balked at that a bit, but apparently it works - though - again - I have no proof.

 

[Laura]

My prior dog took Heartgard for most of her life, and did live to be 16, even without the benefit of an all raw meat diet for all but the last 2 years of her life....so I'm leaning towards giving the Heartgard during non-freezing months, but I would really appreciate some input.

Are there ANY natural proven preventatives? I haven't found any, but that doesn't mean they don't exist?

I've never heard of a natural remedy and lost several dogs to heartworms in Florida trying. I'd say, stick with the prevention. You've had good success. Most dogs don't live 16 years under any circumstances.

 

[Nancy2feathers]

Hi tschai.
A few years back we had a black lab/black chow mix. She loved being outside. I took her for a routine check up and one of the things they checked for was heart worm. The results came back positive. I was feeling really bad for my Enya. She was such a sweet dog. She was about 10 years old at the time. The Vet informed me that the treatment would be very expensive and she should start treatment right away. I thought it over and decided to take her to another Vet to have her tested again. The test came back negative! The Vet said that the other test must of been a false/positive. I was so relieved. Enya lived a happy life for another four years. I`d say it`s worth having the test done again by a different Vet.

 

[Guardian]

It has to be ingested to do that, thus sprinkling it on food. I balked at that a bit, but apparently it works - though - again - I have no proof.

Yeah, I'm a little hesitant to give DE internally, basically for the same reasons it shreds the innards of insects. Have you (or anyone) actually given it internally?

 

[Gimpy]

It has to be ingested to do that, thus sprinkling it on food. I balked at that a bit, but apparently it works - though - again - I have no proof.

Yeah, I'm a little hesitant to give DE internally, basically for the same reasons it shreds the innards of insects. Have you (or anyone) actually given it internally?

I have some but it has chrysanthemum in it.

If I can find the the DE plain, I'll take a teaspoon and let you know. ;D

 

[anart]

It has to be ingested to do that, thus sprinkling it on food. I balked at that a bit, but apparently it works - though - again - I have no proof.

Yeah, I'm a little hesitant to give DE internally, basically for the same reasons it shreds the innards of insects. Have you (or anyone) actually given it internally?

I did sprinkle a little on my dog's food last summer and nothing happened - it wasn't much though because I was leery about it for the same reason you're thinking. I suppose I really need to find out more about the entire subject and figure it out.

 

[Guardian]

You've had good success. Most dogs don't live 16 years under any circumstances.

Yeah, and Freya lived to be 14, which is pretty old for a 100+ lb Doberman...and this was back when she took the daily Heartgard. Plus she did not eat raw meat. Grith only lived to be 11, but he was sprayed in the face with antifreeze, and eventually died from the complications. Before that, he never had any health issues, and he was on the daily Heartgard too.

 

[Guardian]

I have some but it has chrysanthemum in it.

If I can find the the DE plain, I'll take a teaspoon and let you know. ;D

I hope you don't mean Diatomaceous earth, both for your sake, and the chrysanthemum's??

 

[Guardian]

I suppose I really need to find out more about the entire subject and figure it out.

Yeah, me too, which is what I'm doing. I'll post what I find.

For instance, I just found out that cats AND humans can get heartworms too, it's just rare...fortunately.

 

[Gimpy]

I have some but it has chrysanthemum in it.

If I can find the the DE plain, I'll take a teaspoon and let you know. ;D

I hope you don't mean Diatomaceous earth, both for your sake, and the chrysanthemum's??

We use DE (diatomaceous earth) to keep carpenter ants and other bugs at bay. One of the bags has a naturally occurring
pesticide that comes from chrysanthemums in it. We picked up two kinds to test them against fleas, ticks. As long as its re applied after heavy rains, both kinds work fine.

I've read articles that state its fine to eat DE, no problems for pets or people, but I've been too picky and distrusting to test it either on myself or the fur-kids. Bad attempt at a joke there, in my previous post. ;)

 

[Nancy2feathers]

Sorry. I responded to an old post. Still, good to know tests aren`t always accurate.

I know quite a few people that mix garlic in with their pet`s food. It supposedly repels fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and such.

 

[Horseofadifferentcolor]

I have read by posters on horse sites that some people talk about old cowboys and other old timers giving the animals tobbaco for worms. I have searched and can not find the amount to give. I asked my vet about this and she looked at me like I had a second head growing from my neck!

As for using DE, we use it around here all the time. The chickens have it in their sand box. Alot of feed companys add this as a non-cakeing and to keep out bugs so it is sold as safe. I hope it is cause its the only thing we use here to combat ants and other unwanted creatures. It works well as long as it is dry.

 

[Masamune]

Hi Guardian, my family found out that my parents dogs both had heartworms last July and we have been attempting to treat them with alternative treatments since that time. They are about 12 years old and one is in pretty rough shape so they probably wouldn't survive the conventional arsenic treatment. My parents have used various formulas and other herbal combination that they have created themselves and there really hasn't been much improvement. It seems to help a little bit but they still have all of their heartworm symptoms. They don't feed them a healthy diet either though but at least they avoid by products in the foods.

They are going to start using heartgard now to see if that has a stronger effect for them. I have heard of success stories with alternative treatments but personally haven't seen it with my dogs. For example Bandit's program: http://www.banditsbuddies.com/treatment.shtml
Chinese herbs: http://blog.pawhealer.com/2012/08/heartworm-survivor-gabriel-from-georgia.html

I would be interested if anyone else has had any success with various heartworm treatments.