Vaccinations, Titers, Heartworm & Other     Worming Protocols

I preface this discussion by supplying the following, necessary information. I subscribe to Dr. Jean Dodds Vaccination Protocol and have done so for years. Although for quick reference I will post this protocol below, Dr. Jean Dodds Resource Blog is the ONLY official Internet website that disseminates her vaccination protocols. Please visit her Blog to review it in its entirety and to review her other relevant articles and discussions pertinent to the health of your dog.

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Hemopet and Dr. Dodds advises the use of heartworm preventatives for healthy dogs once the ambient temperature is above 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Centigrade) for approximately two weeks and mosquitoes are prevalent. A basic rule of thumb is Mid-April through November for the majority of the country and basically year-round for the southern states.

In accordance with Dr. Jean Dodds', DVM updated recommendations, I use Interceptor that contains plain milbemycin oxime which is highly preferable as a heartworm preventive for certain groups of dogs such as Sighthounds, smaller white breed dogs and those prone to seizures.

As far as any heartworm preventative PLUS, I do not use those. I worm with Panacur which you can read more about next. Note: Be extremely cautious when using any heartworm preventative that contains oxybendazole added to control intestinal parasites as it has been known to cause liver damage. The onset of liver damage is quick once it occurs so that dogs or cats can go from normal serum activities to clinical liver damage in a few days’ time, according to ScienceDirect.com

One more little known fact is that it is not necessary to dose every 30 days. In fact, the FDA has cited studies showing the effectiveness for several brands of heartworm preventatives (Interceptor, Heartgard, Revolution) provide protection beyond 30-days. Indeed, Dr. Dodds recommends dosing at 45-day intervals for conservative, but required dosing.

Wormers

For my yearling and adult Irish Wolfhounds I only use Panacur granules. I administer Panacur on a quarterly or semi-annual basis, depending on how many dog shows we attend. Panacur is for the treatment and control of Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, and Tapeworms. If my Irish Wolfhounds have attended a number of shows then I will repeat Panacur deworming three weeks after the first de-worming.

Panacur is safe to administer to puppies six weeks of age and older. For new litters, I opt to use a gentle pyrantel pamoate such as Nemex at 4 weeks and again at 6-7 weeks of age as a routine preventative for puppies. I will use the remaining Nemex on the pups at 2-3 week intervals until used up.

For new puppy owners over 12 weeks of age, first, have a fecal test done by the veterinarian who then examines for parasites and bacteria. Panacur granules are a safe, practical alternative to products marketed for pets indicated by a “Plus” such as Heartgard Plus. Typically, there is no need to have the average dog de-wormed on a monthly basis for usually 6-12 months, unless they are frequent visitors of dog parks or other crowded or busy dog congregation areas. If your dog lives in and defecates in a small area then I suggest using a Heartworm Preventative that contains Wormer medicine and is indicated by the word PLUS. Such as Interceptor Plus…

Dog owners should be aware that most all dogs and cats will be exposed to and afflicted with worms at some point.

If you have not yet collected a fecal sample on your dog you should be aware of the variety of worms that your dog could be afflicted with.

1-Roundworms. If the worms mature, new owners will see pale, possibly lengthy and spaghetti-shaped worms in the feces or vomit. Before this telltale symptom appears, both kittens and puppies can experience symptoms such as pot-bellied appearance, abdominal discomfort, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, or poor growth.

2. Tapeworms: First, Tapeworms that must first pass through an intermediate host (a flea) before they can infect a dog. In response to a flea bite, a dog ingests the tapeworm infected flea. As the flea is digested in the dog’s intestine, the tapeworm egg is released, hatches, and then anchors itself to the intestinal lining. Indicators of infection are revealed by a white rice like substance in the feces. Very mature worms can be up to eight inches in length.

3. Hookworms. Eggs are microscopic and are not visible to the naked eye. Symptoms such as anemia (pale gums and weakness are signs), weight loss, and bloody diarrhea.

4. Whipworms. These worms cause severe irritation to the lining of the large intestines. Whipworm infection results in watery, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and general weakness and poor condition. Of all the intestinal parasites found in dogs, whipworms cause the most disease.

Panacur DOES treat and controls Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, and Tapeworms.

Flea and Tick Prevention and Treatment

Two options to use that can be effective are Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and Wondercide Tick & Flea Spray. Dust your dog or cat with Diatomaceous Earth (DE) —see my Nutrition page for this supplement as I administer it daily in their food as well. Rub the DE deeply into the fur all along the back, base and entire length of tail, and behind neck and ears. This is a super-fine, harmless powder of fossilized microscopic sea creatures. It purportedly kills fleas and their larvae by desiccation. (Birds often dust-bathe, probably to get rid of feather mites in this way.) 

I also use Wondercide seen here in this sidebar. Powerful scent but very effective.


I DO NOT recommend using any Spot-On Treatments, Sprays, Collars, nor oral ingestable flea & tick preventables.

According to Dr. Fox, these medications and chemicals such as Seresto, a new long acting flea collar for dogs and cats, contain a nicotine chemical (imidacloprid) that can cause seizures, thyroid gland damage, mutations, abortions and birth defects, (and is a class of widely used agricultural chemicals implicated in the catastrophic demise of honey bees, banned by the European Commission in 2013 for 2 years in Europe); and a pyrethrin chemical (flumethrin) that can cause nausea, vomiting and seizures among other harmful side effects.

These chemicals seep into and over the animals’ skin, are absorbed into the animals central nervous system and are ingested when the dog or cat grooms themselves or one another.

WARNINGS: On September 20, 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that the following flea and tick medications have caused adverse events in dogs and cats such as muscle tremors, ataxia and seizures:

  • Bravecto (fluralaner) tablets for dogs;

  • Bravecto (fluralaner) topical solution for cats and dogs;

  • Nexgard (afoxalaner) tablets for dogs; and,

  • Simparica (sarolaner) and Simparica Trio (sarolaner/moxidectin/pyrantel) tablets for dogs.

All of these medications are in the isoxazoline class of compounds. Isoxazoline is a parasiticide.

The FDA worked with manufacturers of isoxazoline products to include new label information to highlight neurologic events because these events were seen consistently across the isoxazoline class of products.

Two additional drugs that are also in the isoxazoline class had recently received FDA approval and carry the warning on their labels:

  • Credelio (lotilaner) tablets for dogs; and,

  • Revolution Plus (selamectin and sarolaner topical solution) for dogs and cats.

Isoxazoline class flea and tick medications should not be confused with spinosads – a natural substance made by a soil bacterium that can be toxic to insects – that is also for treatment or prevention of fleas. Two of the most well-known spinosad products are Trifexis® and Comfortis®. Dogs that are epileptic or prone to seizures should not be given spinosad.

Comparatively, researchers and veterinarians thus far cannot point to breed characteristics, age group, drug interactions or genetic mutations as contributing factors to the findings that prompted the FDA warning about the isoxazoline class.

Further, Dr. Jean Dodds stresses that ANY seizure prone dog or any Wolfhound with Epilepsy SHOULD NOT BE given the following products: Trifexis, a monthly heartworm/flea preventive, and Comfortis, for flea prevention as both contain a chemical called Spinosad. Though effective for prevention of and killing fleas, spinosads are unsafe for any dogs with seizures. She goes on to state that, unfortunately, this fact is generally unknown by Veterinarians and should be shared with your veterinarian, friends and family.

Flea Infestation

If your home is infested, liberally sprinkling this same Diatomaceous Earth on floors, carpets and in wall crevices, then vacuuming up after 24-48 hours, and repeating every 2-3 weeks during flea season, will help keep the home environment clear, provided animals living there do not roam free and come home infested.

When control-measures break down and fleas are found on the animal and cannot be kept at bay with regular flea-combing and other controls in the animal’s environment, one of the safer flea-control products are those containing the oils and essences of chrysanthemum flowers that paralyze fleas, and are considered the least toxic to animals of all the insecticides; namely natural pyrethrins and synthetic pyrethroids. Repeated spraying, powdering or shampooing is often needed since not all paralyzed fleas die on first exposure.

Dr. Jean Dodds, also recommends FleaTreats to try which is a product composed of Vitamin B complexes. I have not tried them as my Natural Rearing diet already supplies Vitamin B-100 Complex, along with minced garlic, Yeast, and Apple Cider Vinegar.