Starting August 4, 2011, the heartworm disease treatment, Immiticide, is going to be completely unavailable for at least several weeks to months. This is the only FDA approved treatment for this fatal disease. It is an injectable medication that is given in 2-3 doses to kill the parasites living in the circulatory system (heart) of affected dogs*. Due to the outage, the doctors at Battenkill Veterinary are urging our clients to protect their animals against heartworm disease with preventative medication. If used properly, heartworm preventative will protect your pet from being infected by the parasite (which is carried by mosquitoes). If your dog doesn't contract the disease, then we will not need to worry about trying to stabilize your pet while hoping that the drug becomes available again. There is no reason to put your pet at risk for death when affordable preventative medications are available. We have had several heartworm positive tests this year for dogs who live solely in our area, in addition to all the dogs coming from the south as rescues that can/do carry it. We offer multiple brands of heartworm preventative for dogs and cats, such as Heartgard, Revolution, Interceptor, Sentinel, and Triheart. It is a prescription product, so we do require an up-to-date exam and heartworm test. Heartworm medication will provide protection against multiple intestinal worms too. The mosquitoes are out with the warm weather and can be seen in cooler times, so don't let them infect your pet with a fatal, and at this time, impossible to treat disease! ----------------------------------------------------------- *Immiticide is only labeled for use in dogs. There is currently no treatment for heartworm in cats, but there is a test now available at our hospital. |
| HEARTWORM TREATMENT IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN FROM MERIAL FOR WEEKS TO MONTHS |