EAST TEXAS HOG DOGGERS FORUM

I'm now up to six dogs and am looking for a way to cut costs (not corners) on maintenance of thier health.  They are all currently on Frontline and Interceptor.  My big concerns are Fleas Ticks, Lice and other external parasites and the various intestinal parasites, and HEARTWORMS.  Here's the pups I have.

Dogo Argentino (10 mos.) - 100 lbs.
AB (2 years) - 100 lbs.
APBT (11 mos.) - 45 lbs.
BMC (3 mos.) - 25 lbs.
Catahoula (3 mos.) - 25 lbs.
Useless neurotic house dog, Australian Shepherd (2 yrs.) - 50 lbs.

My vet. actually said he would help me with dosing and meds if I wanted to get away from the prescription stuff.  I am looking for your suggestions or experience.

Thanx,
Mark Duncan

Sounds like you have a good vet. I would use what he suggest all you really need to worry about is if it really works and is it worth the negative side effects. What has the vet recommended?

For worms and heartworms I use Equimax it contains 1.87% ivermection and 14.03% praziquantel or Zimectrin Gold which contains 1.55% ivermection and 7.75% praziquantel both can be found at any feed store and are easy on the pocket book around 15 bucks as for as dosage put an amount about the size of half a small tootsie roll for the smaller dogs and an amount the size of a hole small tootsie roll for the larger dogs on my finger and smire it onto the back of the dogs tonge. This given once a month will take care of evrything from Heartworms to tape worms. Ivermection at 1.87% is the active ingredent in most heart worm preventative. That is what I do for worms and have for years as my father before me never had a problem with any kind of worms.

My vet has recommended Ivermectin for worms.  He asked that I bring whatever method of transmission to him so he can give me proper dosing.  He said he has had self treaters using doses up to 1000 times stronger than neccessary.

I agree with the Ivermectin replies. The doc can work out the proper dosage and save you a load of money. I'd alternate with Fenbendazole (Panacur/Safeguard) just for good measure.
Picking up poop regularly (at least weekly!!) will hugely reduce the re-infesting problems too.
Fleas and ticks are harder to get by 'cheaply' but with just 6 dogs I think you can do it pretty easily. Diatomaceous earth (food grade!) is safe for their houses and even for them to eat, it kills all external parasites. Spraying the yard and especially the borders of the yard helps a ton. The clinic I work at recommends Triazicide, it's at Wal-Mart and Lowes.
Frontline must be costing you an arm and a leg for those dogs!  :o
HTH

 i use bio-spot same stuff in it as front line works just as good get 3 month supply for 100 lb dog $15 for fleas around kennels seven dust works great

mark we have been using the cattle ivermectin(1/10cc per 10 pounds) for years and haven't had a problem with hart worms yet. just don't over dose with it because ivermectin is suppose to be hard on a dogs liver. also with ivermectin be careful when you give it to a dog that hasn't been on hartwormer for a while. If  a dog has hart worms bad and you give them ivermectin it will kill them. you could check out the equimax it sound's like its the most convenient although i have never used it. any wormer with pyrantel pamote is good but it wont catch hook worms or hart worms.i think Fenbendazole has a warning about liver tumors or something on the label but (I'm not 100% sure if I'm thinking of the right thing). most ppl that go the cheap way use two wormers: ivermectin and another to catch all the worms. hope this helps. for fleas check out the blue jug of bayer sprays, i have never used it but plan on checking it out soon (there are some post about it on here somewhere).


joshua

My vet said he felt it would be best to go with Ivermectin, monthly then every six months we'll hit 'em with Fenbendazole.  I'm going to follow the recommedations on the Bayer Lawn Shrub and Tree product for the fleas and ticks.  We have no fleas or ticks in the yard or house at present so I feel good about where we are starting.  Still got 5 mos. of the prescription stuff for all dogs so I've got a while to get this all lined out.

I clean the yard twice weekly and burn the stool.

I love this site and all the experience you guys share.

Mark