Author Topic: Dog Heartworm without the script  (Read 2779 times)

fpjeepy

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 155
Dog Heartworm without the script
« on: October 02, 2018, 11:54:44 AM »
I'm not sure if I can post links on here without looking like a salesman. But there is a site called joes pet meds that ships from Singapore. No prescription required. Also, another seller sells a product on eBay. I just went to the vet so I have a script, but I thought some people who live from the vet might find this a good tool for saving some cash.

ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #1 on: October 02, 2018, 01:31:15 PM »
An important FYI: as I understand it, the reason you typically need a prescription for heartworm meds is because if the dog already has heartworm, the meds can be fatal.  They do a test before prescribing it.

fpjeepy

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 155
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2018, 02:09:11 PM »
An important FYI: as I understand it, the reason you typically need a prescription for heartworm meds is because if the dog already has heartworm, the meds can be fatal.  They do a test before prescribing it.

Good to know. If you keep your dog on it religiously, then they will never get heartworm?

LifeHappens

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 12158
  • Location: Tampa-ish
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2018, 02:21:08 PM »
I would be quite concerned about the possibility of getting counterfeit drugs from that type of web site.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2018, 02:23:43 PM »
I think this is also illegal in the US.  Keep in mind.

ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2018, 03:29:50 PM »
An important FYI: as I understand it, the reason you typically need a prescription for heartworm meds is because if the dog already has heartworm, the meds can be fatal.  They do a test before prescribing it.

Good to know. If you keep your dog on it religiously, then they will never get heartworm?
That's my assumption; I'm no vet.

Anyway, I agree with the other posters, I probably wouldn't do this either.

Rural

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5051
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2018, 08:23:40 PM »
If one were so inclined, no reason to order from overseas when any feed and seed will have it.

fpjeepy

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 155
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #7 on: October 03, 2018, 09:07:38 AM »
If one were so inclined, no reason to order from overseas when any feed and seed will have it.

Please explain...

randomstring

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 107
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2018, 07:42:42 PM »
If one were so inclined, no reason to order from overseas when any feed and seed will have it.

Please explain...
Disclaimer: my information is about 15 years old. I used off label injectable ivermectin for heat worm prevention in the past but will no longer do  it. Ivermectin is sold in feed stores very cheaply ( per dose ) and can be an effective way to dose if you have multiple dogs. You need to be careful to buy the right thing. Typically injectable ivermectin is the one that will not contain any other active ingredients. The dogs are then dosed orally.

I should caution you to read the labels and do calculations extremely carefully. The ivermectin for cattle is very concentrated. Also, some breeds are sensitive to ivermectin and may have adverse reactions even from proper dose. There is a genetic test you can do on the dog to check this.

As mentioned, I no longer do this. Too easy to overdose. There are more effective and less dangerous meds  out there. And with only one dog the ivermectin expires before you can use it all.

Imho the ivermectin route is cost efficient if you have it on hand for other reasons ( for cattle or sheep ) or you have a kennel full of dogs.
« Last Edit: October 13, 2018, 07:58:28 PM by randomstring »

Shane

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1665
  • Location: Midtown
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2018, 02:36:55 AM »

Rural

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5051
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2018, 06:40:50 AM »
Sorry, I didn't see the question here. We use the sheep drench version Ivermectin so no injection required (and not all breeds can handle Ivermectin, so be very careful with this). We actually had help from our vet in determining dosage - she's a farm vet and handles both dogs and sheep, which I'm sure helps. The sheep drench is more dilute than the cattle dosages. But research carefully, or better, both do the research and find a country vet to check behind you before administering.

Sugaree

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1667
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2018, 02:39:05 PM »
Another issue you may run into is that you may end up with holes in your vet records.  Many rescues do at minimum a vet check when you apply to adopt and if it looks like you haven't been keeping up with that kind of stuff then you could be denied.  A friend of mine ran into that problem after self-administering the rabies shot to his pup.

Shane

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1665
  • Location: Midtown
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2018, 05:39:49 PM »
Another issue you may run into is that you may end up with holes in your vet records.  Many rescues do at minimum a vet check when you apply to adopt and if it looks like you haven't been keeping up with that kind of stuff then you could be denied.  A friend of mine ran into that problem after self-administering the rabies shot to his pup.

That's easy. Just don't adopt pets from a "rescue." There are plenty of private parties advertising cats and dogs for </= $0 on Craigslist, FB, etc, no questions asked, no strings attached.

Sugaree

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1667
Re: Dog Heartworm without the script
« Reply #13 on: October 15, 2018, 05:13:01 AM »
Another issue you may run into is that you may end up with holes in your vet records.  Many rescues do at minimum a vet check when you apply to adopt and if it looks like you haven't been keeping up with that kind of stuff then you could be denied.  A friend of mine ran into that problem after self-administering the rabies shot to his pup.

That's easy. Just don't adopt pets from a "rescue." There are plenty of private parties advertising cats and dogs for </= $0 on Craigslist, FB, etc, no questions asked, no strings attached.


I agree.  That's how I ended up with my current dog.  I wanted a particular breed.  The breed-specific rescue in the area seem to have a deal with all the government-run shelters to pull any of them that come through, often without them ever being available to the general public.  Said rescue had a $25 non-refundable fee just to apply.  No thanks.  Found what I was looking for on CL.  Three years old, housebroken, basic manners, good with other dogs, cats, and kids.  You know, the kind of dog the rescue said didn't exist.  I did pay right at what some of the shelters were charging as an adoption fee.  Worth every penny. 

But I do know that for some people it matters.