Pregnant dogs and heart worms

[Dennis]

I am considering breeding my dog Mossy, Black Female Lab. Should I discontinue heart worm medication during the pregnancy until weaning the pups? Could there be negative side effects on the puppies if heartworm preventative is continued during the pregnancy and until the pups are weaned?

Thanks

[g8rvet]

No, do not discontinue the meds. While there were early concerns about the safety of ivermectin in unborn puppies, all data now suggests it is totally safe. Since it has been out so long, I believe if there were any problem, we would know about it. One of the ingredients in Heartgard Plus is pyrantel, which should be administered to a (won't let me say the normal word for female dog:toothy10:, when I read this back I said, wth, I did not cuss) before whelping. So you are actually ensuring less transmission of encysted hookworms in the puppies. Keep her on her prevention and good luck with the pups.

PS DO NOT feed her puppy food until the pups are born. Once they are born, she needs to be switched to a good brand puppy food (preferably the same brand you are feeding now, but in the puppy formula). Many of the bags of puppy food actually say for puppies and nursing dams.

[g8rvet]

PSS What are you using? I assumed heartgard or interceptor.

[Dennis]

PSS What are you using? I assumed heartgard or interceptor.

My vet has her on Advantage.

[g8rvet]

Advantage Multi right?