Only Drug That Treats Heartworm No Longer Available

2012-02-29T14:10:00.000-08:00

By Rikki Schmidt

If ever there was a reason to get your dog on heartworm preventative, this is it.

The only heartworm treatment approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in dogs that have contracted the deadly disease is temporarily unobtainable and it is not known when the drug will again become available.

The drug, Immiticide, used to treat dogs who have contracted heartworm, is an arsenic compound that kills adult worms. It should not be confused with the once a month heartworm preventative which goes by many brand names and remains readily available.

News of the situation came to light in early August when veterinarians received a letter from the drug maker, Merial, warning of a shortage that could last for several weeks or months. That notice caused a run on the remaining inventory. Recently, a spokesperson for Merial has now confirmed that they are “officially out” of Immiticide.

The trouble started in 2010 when Merial reported that its U.S. supplier was having difficulty obtaining the product’s active ingredient and the FDA was reluctant to let Merial’s overseas supplier fill American orders. However it has been stated that this recent situation is not related to last year’s problems, rather it concerns technical issues in manufacturing the finished product.

Meanwhile veterinarians treating sick dogs are turning to a heartworm preventative and doxycycline to manage the disease. This alternative is less than ideal since the preventative can cause reactions in dogs already infected and the drugs do not treat the main problem which are the adult worms. Treating an infected dog is not easy. Activity must be severely restricted to reduce the chances of a blood clot. Exercise increases the heart rate which raises the risk that fragments of dead worms in blood vessels could cause a thromboembolism.

Most heartworm cases are diagnosed before dogs show any symptoms, usually during a routine exam. The once a month preventative was considered an optional choice for dog owners in the greater Phoenix area since heartworm is not as prevalent here as in other cities. However the number of cases are increasing and now with no medication on hand, more sick dogs will go untreated and more mosquitoes will get infected and pass the disease on.

Even when the drugs were available, the arsenic-based treatment for heartworm was difficult, dangerous, lengthy and expensive. Now, even that is not an option to combat this deadly disease. It is recommended that dog owners get their dogs tested and get them on preventative as soon as possible.

If you need a recommendation on a referred Veterinarian please see our tab for "Supporting Pet Businesses/Vets" in the Member's Directory. Thank you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-12-04T12:14:00.001-08:00

YAPPY NEW YEAR!

With the holiday season almost over please keep in mind that the last weekend of the old year can still be dangerous and stressful for our pets!

Each time a guest enters your home, pets can be exposed to a new level of stress.
Some positive, some negative. Some pets are locked away while guests are in their home while others are allowed to roam free. Doors, gates and garages are opened and closed frequently. The opportunity for escape is incredible! Winter holidays are one of the top seasons of the year that pets are lost.

Microchip your pet!

Aides in recovering lost pets all year round. It is your pet’s personal identification number. The Veterinarian implants the chip under your pet’s skin, between the shoulder blades. For more Information, please ask the Veterinarian or one of our staff.

OTHER TIPS

 Please inform your guests not to feed your pet scraps.
 Please do not allow children to harass your pet
 Please keep a routine for your pet

NO BUBBLY!!! Alcohol can kill your fur baby!

Never give your pet chocolate! It can be highly toxic to animals! Chocolate can cause stomach cramps, constipation and diarrhea. It is all too common to see pets with vomiting and diarrhea after a holiday. Some can become seriously ill.

Dangerous Holiday Paraphernalia:

New Year's Party Favors, string, confetti, fireworks!

 Plastic six pack beverage holders
 Electric cords
 Glass ornaments
 Ribbons and tinsel.
 Foil
 Rubber bands
 Pine needles. If your pet ingests a pine needle, there is a danger of internal organs being pierced by the needles

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOLIDAY TIPS FROM ASPCA PLEASE READ THE SHARED ARTICLE BELOW.
http://http://www.aspca.org//

Holiday Safety Tips

Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe!

Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:

O Christmas Tree

Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea.

Tinsel-less Town
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.

No Feasting for the Furries
By now you know not to feed your pets chocolate and anything sweetened with xylitol, but do you know the lengths to which an enterprising fur kid will go to chomp on something yummy? Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans.

Toy Joy
Looking to stuff your pet's stockings? Choose gifts that are safe.
Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible.

Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that's too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions together.

Forget the Mistletoe & Holly
Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Leave the Leftovers
Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills.

That Holiday Glow
Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out!

Wired Up
Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth.

House Rules
If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you're busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session.

Put the Meds Away
Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too.

Careful with Cocktails
If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

A Room of Their Own

Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.

New Year's Noise
As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears.

Just taking a few precautions will ensure the safety of your family and your pets to have a safe and wonderful holiday. Just to be safe, place those beautiful holiday plants up high and out of reach of pets and children.
Shared by ASPCA Website. http://http://www.aspca.org//.

Thank you from all of the Az Pet Professionals!

New Year's Eve Parties can cause stress to all!

AZ PET PROFESSIONALS NEWSLETTER

Only Drug That Treats Heartworm No Longer Available

HAPPY NEW YEAR!