Ha! This should make folks even happier. There is a source of ivermectin @ 0.08% - about one third the strength of the swine ivermectin. It is Ivomec Sheep Drench (0.08% ivermectin). REMINDER: 1 cc = 1 ml The units are exactly the same. Ivomec is a brand name of ivermectin - it is the Ivomec PLUS that has the other stuff in it and should always be avoided. Any product that contains any active ingredient other than ivermectin should never be used on a dog. But here is the problem - it is only available as far as I can tell in large quantities and it is stupid expensive - $75 for a liter (about a quart). This is why I didn't mention it in my original posting. Today I did, however, find it on Amazon in a generic for about $30 for an 8 oz bottle - which is still probably way more than you can use before it expires. If you hunt around, you may be able to find it more affordably - but even at $30 for an 8 oz bottle, it is way cheaper than the Heartguard tablets. Store it in the fridge. Remember that the normal dosage for a dog is 1.5mcg to 3 mcg per pound of body weight. The author of this page states that due to some recent research he is recommending 7 mcg per pound in body weight. I'm not aware of that research, but it's basically about 2 to 4 times the suggested dose, which is, if the dosages given were correctly figured, still within the safe range. I have no idea where the idea that 7 mcg per pound of body weight should be used comes from, he just says "research at Auburn". I don't know what sort of research. I don't know when that research was done or if it has been repeated or debunked. However his table does not actually follow this 7 mcg/lb of body weight recommendation. He suggests 0.1 ml for dogs up to 12 lbs (80 mcg total delivered) 13.3 mcg/lb 0.2 ml for dogs from 12-26 pounds (160 mcg total) 8.4 mcg/lb 0.3 ml for dogs from 27-50 pounds (240 mcg total) 6.3 mcg/lb 0.4 ml for dogs from 51-70 pounds (320 mcg total) 5.3 mcg/lb 0.5 ml for dogs from 71-90 pounds (400 mcg total) 5 mcg/lb 0.6 ml for dogs from 92-112 pounds (480 mcg total) 4.7 mcg/lb *NOTE* mcg/lb are figured at the middle of each range. They will be higher below the midpoint, and lower above the midpoint. As you can see, this is not a constant dosage by weight. It is most variable at the lowest 2 ranges. A dog that weighs 4 lbs which is given 0.1cc of this ivermectin sheep drench will receive a dosage at the rate of 20 mcg/pound, while a 12 lb dog would receive a dosage at the rate of 6.7 mcg/pound. For the smaller dog, that is 7 to 14 times the recommended dosage; while for the larger dog, it is only about 2 to 4 times the recommended dosage. The math for his table seems to be off, but except for the smallest dogs, within the safe range. If the 7 mcg per pound of body weight recommendation has some utility, then the dosages for larger dogs would be insufficient - but within range for the usual recommended dosages. Use your judgment as to whether or not these dosages are within the safe and effective range for your dog. One thing he mentions that I never thought of is to drip the medication onto a doggy biscuit and give that to your dog. That's not a bad idea. I never thought of that. My dogs never gave me a problem squirting this into their mouth, but dripping it onto a small piece of dog biscuit and giving them that is probably easier. To determine dosage for your dog, use the following values: There are 800 mcg of ivermectin per 1 cc of the ivermectin sheep drip 0.08% 1.5 to 3 mcg per pound of body weight is the usual recommended dosage Multiply the dosage per pound of body weight by the weight of your dog. That is how many micrograms are required to dose your dog. Divide that by 800 to get the dosage in cc's. Round up to the nearest tenth of a cc. That is the dosage. My suggestion is to just use 3 mcg/lb and always round up (so 0.12 would be rounded up to 0.2) and you'll be good to go.

Just a note: PLEASE be aware of the decimal point in these various concentrations of Ivermectin. I have yet to use this method, but I am attracted to it because of the immense savings and because I feel manipulated and exploited by the vets and manufacturers for them to be charging as much as they do for the regular heart worm preventative. Do they think we won't know it is important if it isn't 120.00 for six months? Do they not realize that on many budgets this prevents rather than ensures dogs being treated? That being said, the dosage is tricky if you are not familiar with the divisions of a cc, percent concentrations, etc. I urge you to contact your vet regarding the dosage. If your small animal vet is uncooperative try your local large animal vet, they are usually more familiar with the livestock products anyway and every farm usually has a dog. The dosage difference between a .08% sheep drench and a 1% injectable concentration is 12.5 TIMES the concentration of ivermectin. That would be like you taking 25 aspirin! The 1% solution cannot be easily measured/used for average sized dogs without dilution by propylene glycol. Do not use water, as the ivermectin will not evenly disperse, making an accurate diluted measurement impossible. Higher doses are prescribed for things other than heartworm preventative, i.e. mange, etc short term. But though a fairly safe wormer, Ivermectin's function is as a neurotoxin and I would not want to habitually expose my dogs to that higher dose. A good dosage explanation is available here http://www.dogaware.com/health/ivomec.html This link's dosages were well in line with those given to my by my vet. Mine were a little lower because they were calculated for the exact weight of my dogs, (something else I like about doing my own dosage). It also addresses the collie sensitivity. Good luck and be safe.

My boxer tested negative for heartworms. She was then put on heartworm preventative. She tested negative on her next heartworm test . Then I put her on the newer and improved Sentinel. I put the stickers on the calendar I did not miss a dose I kept her in the house just as the vet told me to to make sure she did not vomit up the pill. Her next heartworm test she was positive . I gave her Doxy immediately and I put her on advantage multi because it seems to be the only one used with Doxy that is guaranteed to be effectual when used as slow kill . She is seldom ever calm there was no way I could keep her crated during and after the injection treatment . Will have her retested after being on advantage multi used with Doxy at 12 months. I found this site trying to see if other dogs had gotten heartworm on Sentinel . I blamed myself and then I went back and looked at my calendar and knew that I did not miss a dose I did everything properly . A friend of mine 10 miles down the road has a beagle his beagle was on Sentinel also and got hearteworms. he opted for the injection.. It is my opinion only but our local DNR and ducks Unlimited love Beaver's and duckhunting and in the last 10 years there is now standing water all around me that did not use to be, mosquitoes can travel like 3 to 6 miles I cannot escape them heartworm vet visits are up like 25% . We can no longer clean our ditches it is very out of hand I guess when humans get a very bad mosquito borne disease then maybe somebody will do something about the standing water everywhere regardless of dnr and ducks unlimited influence.

interesting thread, of a subject that has been very much on my mind. I live in the country, people drop off dogs & leave them to starve. at most I've had 8 dogs, currently am in the process of going from 2 to 3 dogs. my oldest girl I inherited from my best friend when she died. Lizzie is 11 years old. never had heartworms. on flea meds that provide heartworm meds as per vet. Teter was abandoned by his owner when he got fired at the horse farm next door. he was young.. and kinda wild. he has settled down & is about 2 1/2 years old. when I first got him, I took him for shots & tests. tested positive for heartworms. this is the course of action my vet deciced upon for him. 100 mg of doxcycline (sp) once a day for 30 days. then two months of no meds. for two years. this in conjunction with the flea/heartworm meds monthly is supposed to kill the heartworms & be a gentler cure than the tradtional treatment. the vet explained to me that the traditional treatement is expensive, but more of an issue to me was that I'd have to keep Tee 'still & quiet' for 90 days. if y'all have puppies...you know how active they are. for Tee...it would be life changing, and IMO not worth taking away his joy of chasing rabbits birds possums & lizards. I keep both dogs on the flea meds year round as advised by vet. while I agree that some vets charge more than they should, my vet isn't like that. after a life time of dogs & vets...you can tell the keepers from the one time only vets. now there is a dog that just started living under my house. she appears to be part chow..but small probably 30 lbs. so scared I can't get close to her.. but I've been talking to her, and of course feeding her. looks like she/he (who knows??) will be one of the crew now. just to get her over being so afraid. this dog has been in the neighborhood for several months...I thought she belonged to someone. but so far no one has claimed her. when I work in the yard...she comes out and plays with Tee...Lizzie scares her. wish me luck with this new one...she/he.(0ne day I'll get close enough to know ) needs a home. hopefully she'll allow us to provide that. and btw....it is soon going to be snake season. last year...3 times Tee got bitten. my yard is clear of debris, but woods are around my house. any super duper snake away tips? his last bite took us to emergency vet at 10 pm. I've never seen a dog swell up so big. he is ok...but I worry about this summer. even chasing him around with a dead snake hasn't detered him from protecting his space? love your pets everyone...they are with us such a short time.