Anyone use ProHeart 6?

[cmorgan.1505]

Took Thor today for his yearly and they told us they would no longer be selling our heartworm meds, but are going to offer something called ProHeart 6, which is a shot they get twice a year that works for 6 months. I love the idea behind it, but want to to a little research first before we agree. We have a few months of heartworm meds, so no rush, but I wanted to see if anyone on here has heard anything about it or uses it.

 

[Jeannie]

When it first came out it was recalled because many dogs were dying from it. That was years ago so I don't know if it has changed. Maybe other will chime in.

I don't think it protects against other intestinal parasites like traditional heart worm meds do.

 

[slilli]

I have not used it and after looking at the research before and after the FDA yanked it back in 2004... I would be a little afraid to use it. It looks like all the FDA required for Fort Dodge Animal Health to start producing and selling this again was that they minimized the inclusion of re-sidual solvents in the final product and put additional warnings on the on the bottle and that owners be given additional information and warnings when their dog is administered the injection at the vet. I'm not even sure what the re-sidual solvents are. We used Interceptor for years but now my vet has everyone on Heartgard Plus.

Here is the latest from the FDA and just one article from petmd.com. Looks like there's lots of scary stories out there about this product.

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/FDAVeterinarianNewsletter/ucm084110.htm


http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2008/june/its-baaaack-proheart-6-attempts-cautious-return

 

[cmorgan.1505]

Good to know!! Thank you. We are trying to figure out what to do if we should go back to Heartguard and it seems like this may happen.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

This video helped a lot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZUcQYzV148

Yeah, I doubt we will be going with ProHeart 6.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

We use Iverhart Plus, so I guess we will use 1800petmeds to still get it and hope the vet approves it. IF they don't for some reason, well we will just switch vets.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

That video makes it sound scarey for sure. Profit center sounds just like some vets in my area.

I know there is a way of getting around the Ivermectin component here in IL. You can buy big bottle of Ivermectin at the farm supply store and give your dog a very small dose each month. I know several with many dogs have done that in the past.

Hope your vet will give you a script if you decide to go mail order.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

That video makes it sound scarey for sure. Profit center sounds just like some vets in my area.

I know there is a way of getting around the Ivermectin component here in IL. You can buy big bottle of Ivermectin at the farm supply store and give your dog a very small dose each month. I know several with many dogs have done that in the past.

Hope your vet will give you a script if you decide to go mail order.

I don't see the issue with them giving us the script if they are going to stop carrying it because I'll explain why we are not going with them for proheart. I just looked and this is not even an issue for 3 months. lol

 

[Bonnke's Mom]

Just a thought...When the product is injected into your dog, there is no way to get it out if there is a reaction to it. When it came out the first time, I had it given to my lab, he collapsed and had to be revived and was extremely lethargic for six months. A month after the six months were up, he sprang back to his old self, thankfully. He was a very healthy large lab that weighed about 120 and was 30 " tall and only three years old. If he had been an old dog or pup we probably would have lost him. I changed vets because of the backtalk I received when I told them this was the problem.

 

[ardeagold]

I know someone whose dog died from ProHeart6. The FDA recalled it, but it was still available in Canada and has been used for years there, however, I believe it has a different name.

I'd never use it...never.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

See, this is why I came here! I did a little research, but knew I would get some good advice on here. This is my go to place when I have any questions. Thanks again people!

 

[janices]

Just a thought...When the product is injected into your dog, there is no way to get it out if there is a reaction to it.

Same thought here. I'd never use it.

 

[cmorgan.1505]

Same thought here. I'd never use it.

I had thought about that and that was part of the reason I wanted to research and see what people on here thought. I really try to be careful with Thor because I would just die if I caused something to happen to him.