Natural Heartworm preventative....

[Grace'sMom]

I was wondering if anyone uses a natural HW Preventative?

We are using one from Only Natural Pet... it's a tincture. They get a few drops each day.

Only Natural Pet HW Protect Dog & Cat Herbal

They both get tested yearly and so far Gus has been negative.

Just wanted to see if anyone else uses natural? I know there are always reactions and worries to the pills used.... They haven't had any reactions to the natural drops.

[jmm]

Because heartworm is an extremely deadly disease and the treatment is also risky, I would not use any heartworm product that has not been tested as being effective. JMO.

[Grace'sMom]

I understand.

I use it with the Para-Gone they have.

I also use their GI Support for Grace's liver (I add liquid milk thistle) and Allergy tincture for Gus.

All the herbs in the HW Protect and the Para-Gone are known natural parasite killers.

I have parasites from the tick bite that gave me lyme. Many are resistant to medications, but they are not resistant to herbals. So I'm on many of these myself. I guess that's why I'm comfortable using a natural treatment

[lyndy]

I don't use a natural method but I give her the pill every 45 to 60 days instead of 30. I may stop during the winter but I have not decided yet.

[Kathleen]

Tori, thanks for posting this. I didn't know Only Natural Pet had this.
I am going to read about it.
Thought I would mention that our holistic vet insists that if they are not on a preventative that they be tested every six months instead of yearly. My understanding from him is that if it is caught early enough there are treatments that are not too harsh that can be used safely.

[Ladysmom]

Originally Posted by jmm

Because heartworm is an extremely deadly disease and the treatment is also risky, I would not use any heartworm product that has not been tested as being effective. JMO.

I agree.

It's also important to remember that "natural" or "holistic" products can be more dangerous than prescription drugs as they are not regulated and have not gone through clinical trials, studies etc. for side effects.

[Grace'sMom]

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Tori, thanks for posting this. I didn't know Only Natural Pet had this.
I am going to read about it.
Thought I would mention that our holistic vet insists that if they are not on a preventative that they be tested every six months instead of yearly. My understanding from him is that if it is caught early enough there are treatments that are not too harsh that can be used safely.

There are.... and I'm thinking our holistic vet will be testing them every 6 months.

PetAlive also makes a holistic preventative...and I may switch them to that one. I just looked at it. It has better anti-parasitic herbals....

[Grace'sMom]

Originally Posted by Ladysmom

I agree.

It's also important to remember that "natural" or "holistic" products can be more dangerous than prescription drugs as they are not regulated and have not gone through clinical trials, studies etc. for side effects.

Could be...

But they have been used for thousands of years in Eastern Medicine... A lot of Western Medicine is starting to use more Eastern Medicine because they are understanding that these things are not "new" - it is very old medicine and so many things that have become resistant to the "new" medicines (pharmaceuticals) are not resistant to old medicine (naturals)....

I trust herbals and naturals more than a pharmaceutical that has long lists of side effects, and that my dogs may have great risk for reactions.

But that's just me

[Crystal&Zoe]

This is such a tricky subject. I know several holistic vets that still say to use a traditional heart worm med. Although they will say to not use them every 30 days. You can actually go 90 days but it's too risky it might get forgotten. I myself go 2 1/2 months so there is a bit of an overlap and I have my calendar on my phone remind me. Heart worm meds work backwards for 3 months.

And you are correct in that many western medical specialists are beginning to learn why some ancient eastern medicines work and are beginning to incorporate them into their practice. I'm sure we will see more and more of it in the future. Even in the veterinary world. But because we have such a 'sue happy' culture, there has to be written studies on it before a western vet will suggest that route.

I also know of some holistic vets that won't use traditional heart worm meds on their own animals. And I also know of dogs (Labs) living in the Bayou area of LA who have never been on heart worm meds, have tested positive for heart worms for years, but show no signs or symptoms. They are all healthy and all over 7 years of age. My understanding is that originally there was supposed to be a symbiotic relationship and that heart worms really didn't kill healthy animals. It was the animals with an unhealthy immune system that got sick and died. I'm not saying don't do something for heart worms because I feel that they decades of low quality commercial foods and over vaccinations have truly compromised the immune system of our dogs. Just thought it interesting.

[Grace'sMom]

That's interesting, Crystal Thanks for sharing...

I've been doing more reading. Just to be better informed. I think the ones I'm going to switch them to will be a better choice... it has more of the herbals that I use myself for parasites.

I think the thing I found most interesting is that Heartworm "Preventative" isn't really preventative. It is an insecticide that stays in the dogs' blood stream and kills any baby heartworms. It doesn't prevent the heartworm or mosquitoes.

I'm looking at holistic/homeopathic vet sites... Natural Heartworm Prevention
Natural Heartworm Prevention

I found one that says according the the AVMA 65% of adverse drug reactions and 48% of reported deaths from drug reactions are from heartworm preventatives.

Everything I'm reading says the best way to prevent heartworm is to get the immune system and blood to a healthy state. They also say (and our holistic vet says this) that over vaccination is causing weakened immune systems.

Those labs you were talking about probably have strong immune systems.

I just find it all very interesting

And it is a choice. I don't feel my dogs are high risk. Grace can't really be out much as it is... We aren't out during mosquito hours...and I use sprays on them when they go outside (essential oils) to repel mosquitoes and insects. So I feel comfortable with my choice.