Ivermectin for Heartworm Prevention: Safe?
 

We give our 6 yr old terrier mix ivermectin orally for heart worm prevention without any problem.
We recently got a new dog - 4 yr old terrier mix and I had read something that said ivermectin could cause seizures and death.
Should I be worried?
Thanks!

Every drug is going to react badly on a few. I've used heartworm preventative with Ivermectin in it on three dogs with no problems. Mine are Labs.

Ivermectin might be contra-indicated for collie type dogs and mixes and some other breeds with the MDR1 gene mutation. Check with your Vet. Your dog can be tested for this. Note that other drugs might also be a problem.

[url]https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vcpl/[/url]

[url]http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/breeds.aspx[/url]

Often the oral liquid is also either given at too high a dose, or accidentally overdosed, which adds to the problem with using this drug.

I like to test all my dogs for the mdr1 mutation, I had a mixed breed that did have this mutation, which came as a surprise to us.