Substitute for Interceptor?

+Krystee+

I didn't realize until this week that Interceptor is no longer being made. I have an Australian Shepherd mix, who my vet has previously said should not take Heartgard or any of the other heartworm preventatives with Heartgard's main active ingredient because Aussies often have a gene that reacts badly with it. The only substitute I can find for Interceptor is $100+ for six months, which is twice as much as Heartgard. Are there any other options?

jump*tunnel*climb*weave

Have you done the MDR-1 testing?  

kristinanddan

Interceptor will be made again, there was a contamination at the plant or something so supplies are currently very very low. Since it wont be permanent, I would do the Interceptor substitute you mentioned. The MDR-1 test is also a little pricey,  but there is NO WAY I would give an Aussie heartgard without it. The rate of the gene mutation in Aussies is something like 50%.

+Krystee+

I have not. I just learned about Aussies not being able to take that drug this week, and the vet didn't raise the possibility of testing (this was not my usual vet, and I wasn't a big fan). I will look into it.

kristinanddan

It's a good thing to know for the future, not just for heartworm meds. A lot of cancer meds contain ivermectin.

I just found this from Novartis - looks like your vet should be able to find you at least a few Interceptor pills soon:

http://www.ah.novartis.us/pdf/allocation_grid.pdf

 

And the article does make it seem like it won't be permanently discontinuing it, which is awesome news for me too. 

jump*tunnel*climb*weave

The test is only about 70. Check Washington states vet school page. They will send you swabs you return. It's not just ivermectrin. There are many other drugs that can cause issues with crossinG the blood brain barrier.  I'd also familiarize yourself with the drug list. I have a copy for reference even though mine in normal/normal.  

+Krystee+

Thanks for the advice! Glad to know Interceptor will be coming back. We don't even actually know if our dog has Aussie in him for sure, but we think he is because he has panus (may have spelled that wrong, but the vet says it's an eye condition shepherds get). He looks like a lab with a white/gray chest and white/gray paw. I will get the expensive heartworm treatment for him and the Heartgard for our chocolate lab. When Interceptor comes back, I'll go back to that. And on his next annual exam, I'll get the test to see if he has the gene.

jump*tunnel*climb*weave

+Krystee+:

Thanks for the advice! Glad to know Interceptor will be coming back. We don't even actually know if our dog has Aussie in him for sure, but we think he is because he has panus (may have spelled that wrong, but the vet says it's an eye condition shepherds get). He looks like a lab with a white/gray chest and white/gray paw. I will get the expensive heartworm treatment for him and the Heartgard for our chocolate lab. When Interceptor comes back, I'll go back to that. And on his next annual exam, I'll get the test to see if he has the gene.

The vet does not do the testing. WSU does. Some vets will do the swabs but I'd just get the kit and do it before going in.  

WaitingOnTwoPinkLines

Interceptor is on national backorder, but very limited quantities are being shipped. We just got a very small shipment last week - we are almost out again. The official word says they don't know when it will be back, but the most common answer we've gotten is August-ish. 

The very expensive stuff is Trifexis - which is generic Interceptor combined with the active ingredient in Comfortis, which means you are getting your HWP combined with flea control. It usually works out to be about the same or cheaper than using Interceptor + a topical flea med, depending on your vet's prices & which topical product you prefer.

To echo the PPs, I absolutely would NOT use Heartgard in a suspected Aussie mix without testing for MDR-1 (though it has a new name, I can't think of it).