tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456764406268353045.post297691239069856566..comments2024-03-18T02:33:21.212-07:00Comments on IB Pet Blog: Are Heartworm Medications Necessary in San Diego? Get the Facts.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08216703930912146156noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456764406268353045.post-21529901568748783912014-03-25T01:38:41.480-07:002014-03-25T01:38:41.480-07:00Thanks for your comment Robin and I appreciate you...Thanks for your comment Robin and I appreciate you checking out our blog! I do however have to disagree with you. I'm not sure if you read my post in it's entirety but if you had you would have read the part where I referenced Dr. Karen Becker's explanation on how temperature effects heartworm transmission. I've come to learn that many veterinarians (including the one you work for) don't even really understand the science behind the lifecycle of heartworm. I encourage you to research this on your own but to summarize; in order for transmission to happen the temperature must remain above 64 degrees for approximately a month straight or the heartworm larvae maturation is halted. Even in the warmest months of the year in San Diego it still drops below 64 at night. This is why in San Diego I believe heartworm preventatives are not necessary. Like I said, I always encourage people to research things on their own and make their own informed decision. It would be foolish in my experience to take someone’s word on something simply because they are a veterinarian or vet tech and this is what actually inspired me to write this blog post 2 years ago. I had been receiving mixed information for multiple sources and I had to find the facts for myself and so I did. <br /><br />Regarding what you are saying about flea medications. The products I carry are not purchased online. I purchase my Bayer (manufacturer of Advantage and K9 Advantix) products from United Pacific Pet. UPP is the only authorized distributor of these products to independent pet stores in Southern California. These products are cold packed and delivered to my shop by UPP (not through the mail) to ensure proper temperatures. SO YES I DO KNOW. I believe that the bad info you've posted about how these products being "diverted in some way" is just another example of things that veterinarians like to say to discourage people from buying their flea meds somewhere else. Bayer is actually coming out to my store, IB Pet, on April 12th to present and educate my customers and staff on their products. You are welcome to attend and see for yourself. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456764406268353045.post-25818347441653348472014-03-24T17:22:49.648-07:002014-03-24T17:22:49.648-07:00This information is incorrect. I have worked in th...This information is incorrect. I have worked in the veterinary field for over 12 years. San Diego is not known for it's mosquito population, however as you said yourself, they are here. The veterinary website you referenced simply states that heartworm disease has been diagnosed and treated here in San Diego. They did not say that that means your dog could "catch" it from these dogs that have been diagnosed. If heartworm disease is present in San Diego, it means that there are mosquitos here that are carrying the disease. It must bite an infected dog and then bite another dog to transmit heartworm disease. While this may be somewhat unlikely, it is still possible. Veterinarians highly recommend preventive treatments due to many reasons. Almost all heartworm preventions also treat some of the more common intestinal parasites present in San Diego, especially at the beaches and dog parks (many of which are zoonotic, meaning we can get them). If there is a risk of heartworm disease, it is much easier to prevent it than to treat it. Heartworm infection causes heart disease, and if not caught early enough, causes irreparable damage and can cause death. It is also a very long, expensive treatment protocol. Annual testing is recommended whether or not your pet is on prevention, as once symptoms appear, your pet is already very sick.<br />Regarding the internet medications, there is also some misinformation. The manufacturers of Advantage and Frontline used to sell these products only to veterinarians. When you find them online, the products have been diverted in some way. Whether a veterinarian bought them and then illegally sold them to the internet store or they have been counterfeited (seems crazy but it actually happens). Not only do you have no idea where the products have been, whether they have been stored at proper temperatures or whether you even get the product that you ordered, the medications are not coming from the manufacturer directly. The biggest problem with this is that if your pet were to have any kind of allergic reaction to the medication, the manufacturer would not stand behind it. When sold by a veterinarian, if anything happens to your pet because of the medications, although very safe, they are 100% guaranteed. I have also experienced a few horror stories. One in particular where a person ordered a topical flea medication for their cat, applied it, the cat started having seizures and died on the way in to the hospital. The internet pharmacy sent her flea medication meant for a large dog. You just never know what your going to get. Veterinarians don't make a lot of money on these types of products, they just try to educate you on what is best for your pet. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13483065259527941746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-456764406268353045.post-2038672079862578262012-08-17T14:13:38.326-07:002012-08-17T14:13:38.326-07:00Awesome story! I really appreciate that you took ...Awesome story! I really appreciate that you took the time to look into this and share!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com