“My previous veterinarian didn’t act like heartworms were any big deal, that’s why Sharkie wasn’t on a heartworm preventive. Now, thanks to you, I know better!” Sadly, we veterinarians must not be doing the quality and quantity of client education we should be on heartworm disease, because, nationwide, only 46-55% of dogs (depending on the [...]
Mrs. Jones, in the clinic for her cat Wilson’s semiannual examination, asked, “Dr. Randolph, when our dog Phred missed a dose of heartworm preventive last year, he had to have a heartworm test before he could take his preventive again. However, Wilson has been on heartworm preventive for all of his five years of life, [...]
There is no more important role of your veterinarian than that of educator. Yes, we can fix things, and yes, when there is an emergency we have to remember our ABCs: Airway, Breathing, Cardiopulmonary. After the dust settles and the feathers are no longer flying, it is crucial that we sit down with clients [...]
Reader “SJaffe” writes to us, “Hi, Dr. Randolph, I foster a Cocker spaniel who is 12 years old. She is heartworm-positive and it’s just breaking my heart. I would love to do everything I possibly can do help her get through this. She doesn’t really have a cough but she breathes very, very deeply (with [...]
Sammi Jo, RAHT*, writes from Central Alberta, Canada, “Hey Dr. Randolph! So I had a question today from a client at the clinic I work at, and it had to do with Revolution (selamectin) Topical Dewormer. A client who was told by her breeder (Australian shepherd) that Revolution or anything of the avermectin family was toxic [...]
Editor’s Note: As of December, 2011, Immiticide was again available through Merial’s European source. Recently, Merial announced that the only FDA-approved heartworm treatment medication, Immiticide, had become completely unavailable. Previously, we received word from Merial that the medication was in short supply. Unfortunately, efforts to restart manufacture have failed. What does that mean for you [...]
There is a scenario that has begun to repeat itself rather frequently of late. “I need to pick up more heartworm preventive for “Fluffy’. She missed one (or more) months and I need to get her restarted.” To which our staff responds, “I understand, Mrs. Smith. Because Fluffy may have become infected with heartworms during [...]
This is Suzy Q and her owner. Suzy Q has heartworms. As discussed in a first and second post on the topic, we know that dogs who have never been on a heartworm preventive, and dogs who have missed one or more doses of their preventive are at greater risk for developing heartworm disease at [...]
Dr. Dwight Bowman is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He received his Masters and PhD degrees from Tulane University in Parasitology. He is also a traveling speaker with Heartworm University, an outreach educational program of the American Heartworm Society. In this month’s Clinician’s Update, [...]
Last night we were blessed to have Dr. James Crisman, of Pfizer Animal Health, come to our South Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association (SMVMA) to speak on the topic of heartworms. Now, you might well think that there is nothing new to know about a parasite that has been recognized for well over one hundred years. Not [...]
How sad. Today we were presented a three-year-old dog belonging to a Do-It-Yourselfer. Don’t get me wrong. I love doing things myself. I used to be an auto mechanic, and I still enjoy fixing things mechanical. I used to be a journeyman carpenter, and woodworking is still a passion of mine. I taught microwave communications [...]
Some readers might wonder why I take a hard stand against pet owners using online pharmacies for the pets’ pharmaceutical needs. I’ve written about my own professional experiences and opinions. I’ve written about what your federal government has to say on the topic and why they have strong concerns about what you might get or [...]
Country artists Brooks and Dunn have a song out called “God Must Be Busy.” In it they talk about some of the problems in the world, including “old folks can’t afford the drugs they can’t live without.” We ran into a similar problem today when a client brought in this cute little dog we’ve been [...]
Microfilaria are the offspring of adult heartworms. They are produced in massive numbers in canines infected with Dirofilaria immitis (the taxonomic name for the heartworm parasite). In some ways microfilaria can be worse than the adult canine heartworm. When large numbers of them die suddenly they can cause a shock reaction and death. That is [...]
Little Bit is such a cute little stray dog. Little Bit gives us the opportunity to explain some special considerations about taking in strays. First, your mother is not going to believe you if you tell her she followed you home, so just stick to the truth…you couldn’t resist her. Second, if you have other [...]
We have fleas! An error in pet care made by many pet owners is discontinuing flea control and flea prevention during the cool months of the year. Fleas love that time of year, and why wouldn’t they? Cool breezes, moderate temperatures, pets going in and out of the house all day long. It’s a perfect [...]
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