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rebelyell

Iowa

MH
Posts:176

09/16/2011 9:18 PM
I have always used Heartguard Plus, but am thinking about changing to Interceptor. The reason why I am looking to switch, is because I just found out during my pups one year checkup that she has whipworm. Heartguard Plus is only for Heartworm, Roundworm, and Hookworm....not whipworm. Interceptor says it treats for all four types. My concern is that I had no idea my pup had whipworm....and had she not been in for 1yr checkup...I still would not know. I do not take my dog in for a stool sample on a monthly basis...and vet said that is how whipworm is diagnosed...rarely seen in dogs stools. So I have three options. 1. Stay on Heartguard Plus and find a monthly medicine for whipworm. 2. Start using Interceptor that treats for all four types of worms. 3. take dog to vet every month for stool sample (I would rather skip #3) Would like to know if you use Interceptor and how you like it.....or if you use Heartguard Plus...what do you use to treat whipworm and how often do you treat. Thanks for your input/help! Jolene

Jolene -- Rebel (GSP 2010) -- Shila (GSP 1988-2006 17 1/2 wonderful yrs ) "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -Ben Williams

Nancy D

No. Lower MI - Gaylord Area

MH
Posts:858

09/17/2011 7:04 AM
I have used Heartgard Plus for years, and only had one case of whipworm which was with a foster. I only do stool samples every year. I know my dogs are clear and I clean their fenced yard 1-2 times a day, so really don't worry bout worms all that much. Guess it comes down to where you are and how much your dog/dogs are interacting with other dogs, i.e., dog parks etc.

Deb Orpen

MH
Posts:168

09/17/2011 7:22 AM
Hi Jolene, Once tested negative for heartworm and wormed for everything, our foster GSPs are placed on Interceptor for the reason you state - whipworms are hard to find in a fecal test. However not all vets carry Interceptor nor does Interceptor correct a whipworm infestation, so the dogs need to be cleared of internal parasites first. Deb Orpen

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7926

09/17/2011 7:42 AM
I actually use Sentinel. It stops the flea lifecycle, and takes care of heartworms, whipworms, round worms, and hookworms. If the fleas are really bad then I can also treat with Advantage or Frontline. Since fleas tend to be pretty prevalent in TX the Sentinel seems to do the trick. I have not had to use any topical additional to the Sentinel since I started them on Sentinel, and my dogs are out in the field, at shows, and outside allot. Long ago I used Interceptor and it was fine, but then you also have to use a flea preventative. I liked Sentinel because it broke the lifecycle of fleas too (it doesn't kill fleas immediately though, so if you have a bad infestation you still may need that topical) and has pretty much eliminated the need for the topical flea treatment for me, and I hate the topical treatments. Both Interceptor and Sentinel are produced by Novartis.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Willowglen User is Offline

Fort Collins, CO

MH
Posts:216

09/17/2011 9:33 AM
I have used Interceptor for the last seven years and have no complaints! Living in CO, we don't have much of a flea problem (I have not seen a flea since leaving CA!). My choice for using it over Heartguard is because it covers an additional parasite. I also know that if your dog is on Interceptor and still develops a parasite problem with one that it covers, the company will pay all vet bills associated with treating the problem (provided you purchased the medication through your vet, i.e. not through 1-800-petmeds). This happened to my cousin and they covered all of the costs in treating her dog.

Christine Willow Glen GSPs & Weimaraners www.willowglengsp.com

rebelyell

Iowa

MH
Posts:176

09/17/2011 10:22 AM
Thanks everyone for your input and information. Nancy-I also clean the yard up every other day to try to keep worms away...vet says it is good prevention for all worms...but great for whipworm management! My dog is out in the field and around other dogs often, so not sure where she picked them up. Deb-interesting that Interceptor will not get rid of worms the dog already has...must just be a prevention against new eggs/infestations. Vet is treating whipworm with Panacur, so if I do decide to use Interceptor..she should be parasite free. Texas Belle-never heard about Sentinel. Sounds like a really good product that covers all four worms. I currently use Frontline along with the Heartguard Plus...for fleas and ticks. Mainly for ticks, as we live in Iowa and have LOTS of ticks. (and Lyme disease). Glad to hear you can use a topical along with the Sentinel as I would need tick control, I just wonder if a topical on a monthly basis would be too much? Willowglenn-sounds like Interceptor works for you! Nice to know the company covers cost of infestation if purchased at vets. I know the vet has told us Heartguard has the same guarentee...but did not realize Interceptor does also. It would be nice to live where you did not have to treat for fleas! My dogs have never had them...but I know they are around. Thanks again!! Sounds like I have more researching to do!!! Jolene

Jolene -- Rebel (GSP 2010) -- Shila (GSP 1988-2006 17 1/2 wonderful yrs ) "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -Ben Williams

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7926

09/17/2011 10:38 AM
Jolene - Back before I began using Sentinel, I used Interceptor and Advantage. I had to use Advantage every month because fleas are bad in TX. Ticks too in some places, but not too bad in Central TX where I live. I had no problems using Advantage every month. Advantage though is just for fleas. You have to use Frontline or Advantix to get the ticks to. Some folks have now switched to Comfortis because it is pill form for fleas and ticks. So that is also an option to consider.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Deb Orpen

MH
Posts:168

09/17/2011 12:48 PM
Yes, they must not have an infestation - that must be cleared first. There is not enough drug content in the pill to eradicate the problem and just like heartworm preventive, it stops the cycle of eggs to worms should they be exposed again. Deb O Posted By rebelyell on 09/17/2011 10:22 AM Deb-interesting that Interceptor will not get rid of worms the dog already has...must just be a prevention against new eggs/infestations. Vet is treating whipworm with Panacur, so if I do decide to use Interceptor..she should be parasite free. Thanks again!! Sounds like I have more researching to do!!! Jolene

rebelyell

Iowa

MH
Posts:176

09/17/2011 9:12 PM
Deb-that makes sense, thanks. Texas Belle-thanks again for the multiple options you have given. I went to the Comfortis website, as I had not heard about it before. It sounds really great for fleas (I like pill over topical), however it does not say anything about tick control. Are you familiar with different forms of it? I will keep reading also. Thanks again Jolene

Jolene -- Rebel (GSP 2010) -- Shila (GSP 1988-2006 17 1/2 wonderful yrs ) "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -Ben Williams

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7926

09/18/2011 9:45 AM
Jolene - I haven't used Comfortis, just know some who have. I had already switched to Sentinel and haven't had to use anything else for fleas since. I am not aware of any other different options for ticks with Comfortis. I too liked the pill form with Comfortis.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

JMSGunner

Bucks County, PA

MH
Posts:785

09/20/2011 4:27 AM
I also use Interceptor with no problems.

Jackie & Gunner Impressive Gewehr von Catskill 4/19/2010

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