Heartworm Medication

[Carole&Prancer]

Hi:

On the COA-L site, Kay Lee posted a Vet Blog with Dr. Eric Barchas. Apparently there are several medications (animal and human) medications that are no longer available. One of these is "Sentinel" for heartworm.

My dog, Prancer has been on this medication for nearly nine years now, 12 months of the year. I love this medication because it is taken orally. With his thick coat I often wonder if his flea/tick topical ever make it into his system. With the pill form I know it is getting down there to do the job. He is unfortuately a very fussy eater (no hiding it in anything - not every his favorite - cheese) so I have to just put it at the back of his mouth. It is small enough that it slides down easily.

I have been checking on-line for what I could use as an alternative. The pills I have seen are much larger. In fact one of them would have to be broken up several times which I am sure would not go down as smoothly.

Whenever I make changes to his diet, in any form, he always get diahhrea for a few days. So this makes matters even worse.

Does anyone have any suggestions....... what do you use?

Thanks....

[Silvertree]

We use HeartGuard, not sure if it's on that list or not, but it's in a 'treat' form, the dogs like it.

[Carole&Prancer]

Hi Dan:

Thanks. No, it is not on that list. How big is the 'treat'? Prancer turns his nose up at practically every treat I have tried to give him. I go to several pet stores who are always trying to come up with something he will like..... they all say 'I can't believe this dog"!!!!! Not even the liver treats that 'all' dogs love.

Would it be small enough to slide down his throat if this is the only way I can get it down there

Thanks
Carole

[Silvertree]

It's not a small one, maybe 1" long and 3/8" x 3/8". It's soft, you might be able to mash it up into his food... My guys snarf them, but they eat pretty much anything.

[Carole&Prancer]

Thanks again Dan....
I will have to check it out. Sure wish he wasn't so fussy....... but then again I do not ever have to worry about him getting into the trash !!!

[Beki]

We use Trifexus for Kayla. It is prescription only and its a combo flea/tick/heartworm/weird icky bug preventative in pill form. Kayla has no problem munching it down. We toss it in with her regular food. She has no apparent gastric upset from it etc. It's not horridly expensive but she does have to take it once a month. It's based on weight. Her pill is under 40.00 a month. Hope that helps.

[Carole&Prancer]

Thanks Beki......... I have not heard of this one. Good to know there are no stomach issues with it.
I will definitely be checking this one out too.