interceptor and hookworm

MejinxMejinx
edited May 2009 in General
Hey guys, got a question on hookworm. Our little Nami tested positive for hookworm today, now almost 3 weeks into her first Interceptor dose. Now I understood that Interceptor took care of hookworm. Does it only prevent it or something, and not kill the worms if they were already there? Or is there some other reason she still has the worms? I got the Interceptor from DFS, I understood they were a reliable source. Especially since the package that they came in has all the tags and stickers and sealed in the (Milbemycin oxime) foil

Comments

  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    I think I remember reading about this in the forum earlier or was told this by my vet. It's always nice to have your vet do a blood test to see if your dog has hookworm before you start the medication because the medicine is less effective if they already exist. Fellow forumites will correct me if I'm wrong but these preventative medicines don't really work on already existing parasites, just work on keeping them away.

    Parasite Control Question...

    heartworm prevention

    Jesse
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    Ick! Sorry to hear that. :-(

    In theory Interceptor should treat an *active* hookworm infection; however, hookworm infections can go dormant for weeks at a time and potentially be immune to dewormers during that period. (This happened to Lucy when I first got her.) You should probably use a dedicated dewormer like drontol or panacur (both by prescription) if Nami tested positive for hookworm. I assume your vet probably already prescribed something though.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Hookworm can take a long time to treat, and I think some dogs will always carry it but not have symptoms. Keep the yard picked up in the meantime and use bleach on the poo spots to prevent any possibility of reinfestation.
  • tsukitsunetsukitsune
    edited November -1
    Interceptor is designed to treat infections that occured 30 days previous to the dose administered. I'm not sure of the percentage of effectiveness in adult vs. larvae stages of hookworm. That your vet should know. Drontal is much stronger in knocking out an existing adult infection.
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited November -1
    Like Jesse mentions.....the interceptor dosing is not appropriate for a full on active case.
    Get to the vet for hookworm specific medication to flush them out completely.

    Snf
  • TeamLaikaTeamLaika
    edited November -1
    Hookworms are common in puppies...they become infected via contaminated environment (ingestion), pentration through the skin, or through mom's milk. The prepatent period for hookworms averages around 21 days so it's really no surprise.

    Hookworm infestation is easily detected by fecal floatation (not a blood test).

    You can chat with your vet (most will deworm puppies routinely when they come in for their booster vaccines every 3-4 weeks) but actually a prescription is not necessary for pyrantel or fenbendazole. Continue the Interceptor monthly. Get the fecal sample rechecked in a few months to ensure Nami's clear.

    FYI
    Nemex and Evict are some brands of pyrantel
    Safe-guard and Panacur are some brands of fenbendazole.
    Check out www.kvvet.com

    What is DFS? If you get your heartworm preventative (which is a prescription item) via an internet pharmacy, and there is a problem with the product, manufacturer's guarantee may not apply...

    Handy parasite reference: http://www.capcvet.org/recommendations/hookworms.html
  • brandon_wbrandon_w
    edited November -1
    DFS = Dr's Foster and Smith.
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited May 2009
    Team Lika:

    When trying to order panacure/fenbendazole in the past I was not able to get the items non granulated for dogs at a smaller dose in paste.....at least not from the companies such as DFS.... Maybe something has changed. I think the powdered is available. However, It' was really tough to get some of the Shibas to eat the food once the powder was mixed in. Maybe we did not mix it correctly or it was bad batch....not sure but the dogs were up for non of it in the food. We ended up going to the vet to get the paste instead. Much faster and easier for a 5 day treatment.

    Snf
  • TeamLaikaTeamLaika
    edited November -1
    SnF
    Good point about palatability. In fact I have never attempted to get the granules/powder in the dogs. With the possible exception of mixing with tripe, I suspect they would go on a hunger strike.

    I get the liquid 10 % suspension (safe-guard for goats) and syringe it in once daily. I can get 125 ml for $17.
  • MejinxMejinx
    edited November -1
    Thanks guys, I got panacure from my Vet, should be cleared up in 3 days time.
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