[nagdu] heartworm prevention

[Daniel Sweeney]

I can understand what you are saying, and I believe most all of it. The only
problem I face is who to believe.
When it comes to Climate change - I DO BELIEVE!
When it comes to heartworm prevention - I am not so sure. One vet says yes,
one says no.
My vet says don't believe everything you hear, there is a REAL possibility.
What do you do?
I will go with my gut feeling on this one until I have definitive proof.
With food, I believe in a natural diet, and denounce all of the suggested
crap found in all of the so called premium brands.
I truly wish there was a single source, well documented, time-tested and
widely accepted which I could believe and trust.
When I get a different opinion from every vet or so called expert, I only
remain confused and have to go with that "male intuition".
Daniel and Cass, Lakewood, Colorado


> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
> Sent: Friday, January 03, 2014 1:12 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] heartworm prevention
> 
> I find it interesting that the reason that everyone seems to be citing for
> giving heartworm/flea and tick preventative is not taking the chance.
> Giving heartworm preventative and flea and tick treatments is also a risk.
> Vaccinations are a risk and so is just about everything else you put into
or
> on your dog.  I think it's important to be aware of the risks associated
> with the medication too.  Then choose which seems to be the lesser risk to
> you in your particular situation, the medication or the actual illness.
> 
> I do not give heartworm preventative year around.  I also use natural bug
> prevention strategies.
> 
> Many years ago I went to college to study veterinary technology.   I'm
sure
> vet medicine has changed a lot since then, but I want one thing to be
clear
> to you all.  Dog food companies and pharmaceutical companies give free
stuff
> to vets so they will in turn promote the use of those products.  It's the
> same in people medicine.  The pharmacy sales people give out free samples
to
> doctors who pass them along to their patients.  Then if the medication
works
> the patient gets a prescription from the pharmacy for the next months or
> years.  The pharmaceutical companies more than make up for those free
> samples.  The thing you may never find out is if there is a cheaper
> medication available that might work just as well.  Generics help
somewhat,
> but the pharmaceutical industry is still making the big bucks.
> 
> I don't think it's as bad in animal medicine, but it does definitely
happen.
> When I was in college all the information for our nutrition classes were
> provided by Science Diet for free of course.  Science Diet also provided
all
> the dog and cat food for our kennel animals also for free.  I left vet
tech
> school thinking Science Diet was some awesome food.  After all that's what
> the college told me and they must be right, right?  It wasn't until much
> later and a lot of vet bills with my dogs that I researched dog food on my
> own and uncovered some startling inconsistencies.
> 
> I do listen to my vet, but I also do my own research and I ask a ton of
> questions.  I've noticed when the vet realizes that I am very well
informed
> I get a more honest approach to the situation.  I think vets are often
> responding to what people expect.  The norm is to vaccinate yearly so the
> vet obliges even when he knows it isn't absolutely necessary.  My vet does
> generally promote the use of heartworm treatment year around, but also is
> honest in admitting that it is because it is easier for people to remember
> what to do that way and not because dogs need heartworm treatment in
> January
> in Nebraska.
> 
> Julie
> 
> 
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