Anyone who has a herding breed or herding breed mix

[hiitdogs]

...... be careful. I just heard that on of my little girl's puppies died after he got a shot for heartworm prevention. He was only 20 months old!!!! The new vet insisted that he needed heartworm prevention.

Herding breeds like Australian Shepherds, Mini Aussies, Border Collies, Collies, Shelties, German Shepherds...... and any mix with that breed are prone to have what is called a MDR1 gene which prevents them from metabolizing some medications, like Ivermectin (Heartguard), anesthesia medicine, pain medication and other medications. Reputable breeders are trying very hard to eliminate the gene through selective breeding but dogs keep dying. Supposedly there is a DNA test (mouth swap) that checks for that gene but it is NOT 100 % accurate.

Many vets don't even know about this, which I think is VERY scary. My previous vet was very insistant about giving my Mini Aussie Heartguard, when I mentioned the MDR1 gene, he told me that he had NEVER heard about this. WOW!!!

I have met Pepper's pup on many occassions and he actually spent a couple of weeks with us last year. Whereas he is NOT my dog, I loved his personality and he was my little girl's puppy. I can't help but being devestated about his senseless death.

Everyone of you whose four-legged best friend might be an effected breed or mutt, PLEASE be careful and double-check BEFORE you give your dog ANY medication and DO question your vets!!!!

http://www.miniaussierescue.org/BusterAlert/bustersPage.html

 

[andtckrtoo]

Oh Carola! {{{HUGS}}} That must be almost like losing your own child! I know how much your dogs mean to you! Which puppy, if you don't mind - I know them all, too! I'll say a special prayer for him.

I don't give Jimmy heartworm preventative at all. My vet tells me I need it, I tell him I order it on line (this is the vet who told me I'd be better off feeding that Science Diet crap to feeding a homecooked meal). My breeder warned me against it. But it is scary to think that even standard meds could kill my boy. Are you going to have Pepper and the boys tested? How scary for you!

 

[crazystepr]

Oh no, how awful! Carola, I'm so sorry to hear that. You must be heartbroken. Thanks for sharing, though. That's really valuable information.

Just as a side note, I love hearing yours and Christine's (and LauraMax's, and everyone else's) dog advice. It's really amazing to hear how much you know and the hard work you put in to training and caring for your dogs. I don't have a dog, myself, (I grew up with them but don't currently have any--I'm a crazy cat lady at the present moment) and am so excited for the day when I am home enough to have a dog. Thanks for sharing all your wisdom, you guys!!!

Allison

http://www.picturetrail.com/allisonj90

 

[delfin]

I had heard of Collie's having issues with heartgard, but not the other breeds. This is concerning since although I have no idea what our mixed breed is, she has demonstrated herding dog behavior. My parents have a bouvier de flanders, and I will definitely tell them about this. Thanks for posting, and so sorry to hear the pup's death.

 

[hiitdogs]

Thanks, Christine. It wasn't one of Pepper's last litter, it was her first litter. I am still waiting for final confirmation from the actual breeder, it was another breeder friend - her partner in many of her litters who told me on Saturday. Kathy hasn't called me back yet although I left a couple of messages for her. He was one of her favorites, part of me still hopes it was a mistake, Kathy's breeder friend said it was Pepper's pup and the one who lived with Kathy's friend Lance. Lance only has Ringo. I sent you an email with his pix. But here it is again. RIP Johnny Ringo

http://www.boldheartminiaussies.com/images/ringo1yrold.jpg http://www.boldheartminiaussies.com/sitebuilder/images/ringosittingontable10mnthsold-255x397.jpg http://www.boldheartminiaussies.com/sitebuilder/images/pepperkingringo11mnthstable1-375x337.jpg

Ringo spent some time with us in January and he is/was a LOVELY dog, very laid back, very sweet, very undemanding ..... Soooo sad

I don't give any heartworm prevention, haven't for the past 8 years, I do have heart worm tests done every year though on all of my dogs. I doublecheck EVERYTHING that goes in my dogs' mouth, but the MDR1 gene mutation is NOT commonly known, even among vets. I now found a holistic vet , 6 weeks ago and it is a HUGE difference, even compared to my previous vet that I found after the jerk that wanted to force the Heartguard down my (or actually my Aussie's) throat, arguing with me about my back then limited info on MDR1. Whereas I LOVED the second vet and she NEVER ever tried to force anything on me, sort of supported my different feeding and actually had sent some of her patients to me to talk about homemade / raw diet, she is pretty much pulling back out of her practice due to health issues, I rarely get an appointment with her, only her associates. The new one is VERY versed in homemade/raw diet, supports it whole-heartedly and has given me a lot of good advice. She works with homeopathic medicine, Bach Flowers and some other naturopathic remedies AND she has a mobile vet service, meaning, she comes to my house and I don't have to haul all 5 of them over.

I thought you would respond, Christine. The only advice I can give you, FIND A DIFFERENT VET. Email me, I will forward you a list of vets in your area that support homemade diet and are into naturopathic medicine. Interview each one of them and go with the one that fits best with you. The single consultation maybe $ 5 to 15 more but you will need less consultations.

How is Mr. Jimmy anyway, where are the pix ????? Email me or call me!!!

 

[dreamyjeanie]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't even know they still made a shot for heartworm. The original shot was recalled by the FDA back in I think 2004, due to numerous adverse effects.

Jean

 

[taprice]

Hi,

I had and still have an Aussie and my vet told me years ago that you shouldn't give Heartguard. I give Interceptor and don't have any trouble although honestly I get "guilted" into giving the stuff when I go to the vet. I got "guilted" into using Frontline and never again. My dobie acted crazy for days after using that stuff.

Tracy