Heartworm

Mosby

Mosby

Well-known member
My 3 year old Vizsla has heartworm. We have been giving all of our dogs Sentinel on a monthly basis and it clearly didn't work in his case. My other two are fine and he likely got it running in hunt tests late last year. We are going through the treatment protocol right now. He should be fine but it's a long treatment process and he has to be restricted and crated for months.

Things I learned. Merck(Sentinel manufacturer) will not cover or reimburse for the related Vet expenses, if you buy their product from Chewy. At least, that was their excuse. Evidently, the product has to be purchased directly from them through the Vet, for them to stand behind their product. I was told that Chewy orders through a third party distributer and not direct.

I sent Chewy an email relating my issues with the Sentinel products that I purchased from them and asked politely if they would help to cover related Vet expenses and they have not responded. I'm taking that as a no.

So both Merck and Chewy have left me hanging with a sick dog. I'm switching all three of my dogs off of Sentinel. In part because it seemingly didn't do its job and in part out of the principal of the thing. Switching to Heartgard. I won't be buying anything through Chewy anymore either. Going forward, I'm going to get our prescriptions directly from the Vet...which will likely cost more and require a 45 minute drive to pick it up but I'm going to eliminate the middle man for my dogs medications.

A tale of caution for those using Sentinel heartworm medication and/or getting medical prescriptions through Chewy.
 
That’s an awful story. I guess the drug companies have to save their money for those high dollar tv commercials they run every 2 minutes. Have you ever noticed the number of commercials involving drug companies, insurance companies, and/or alcohol companies? I guess we know where the money is. That being said, have you ever looked into administering Ivermectin to your dogs? I bought a shorthair from a reputable trainer years ago and before I left with my new buddy, he gave him Ivermectin thru the mouth and told me all about it. He said he never had an issue in all his 40 something years of training and trialing hundreds of dogs.
So I went to the vet supply store and bought some for $35 and it lasted forever. I give him 1cc every month and have done the same for the new bird dog also. I have had the dog for 10 years now and my newest is 2.5 and have had zero issues. I asked my vet about it and he said, “that’ll work” and left it at that. I encourage you to look into and ask your vet. But, like I said I have had no problems and saved quite a bit of $
 
I bought this 8 months ago and we give to our 3 dogs-2 shorthairs and a yorkie. Ten years ago it was $35 and it is still $35. It lasts 5 years for a 55 lbs dog.
 
I know a GSP breeder that gives his own shots but he has over 30 dogs in his kennel. I normally have 1 to 3 dogs and never bothered with it and always relied on the vet to provide what they need. I'll talk to my vet about it though. Thanks.
 
Mosby said:
My 3 year old Vizsla has heartworm. We have been giving all of our dogs Sentinel on a monthly basis and it clearly didn't work in his case. My other two are fine and he likely got it running in hunt tests late last year. We are going through the treatment protocol right now. He should be fine but it's a long treatment process and he has to be restricted and crated for months.

Things I learned. Merck(Sentinel manufacturer) will not cover or reimburse for the related Vet expenses, if you buy their product from Chewy. At least, that was their excuse. Evidently, the product has to be purchased directly from them through the Vet, for them to stand behind their product. I was told that Chewy orders through a third party distributer and not direct.

I sent Chewy an email relating my issues with the Sentinel products that I purchased from them and asked politely if they would help to cover related Vet expenses and they have not responded. I'm taking that as a no.

So both Merck and Chewy have left me hanging with a sick dog. I'm switching all three of my dogs off of Sentinel. In part because it seemingly didn't do its job and in part out of the principal of the thing. Switching to Heartgard. I won't be buying anything through Chewy anymore either. Going forward, I'm going to get our prescriptions directly from the Vet...which will likely cost more and require a 45 minute drive to pick it up but I'm going to eliminate the middle man for my dogs medications.

A tale of caution for those using Sentinel heartworm medication and/or getting medical prescriptions through Chewy.
Click to expand...
Its still their product and if so, why or how does Chewy get the Sentinel product?
 
Good luck to your poor dog. You're doing everything you can for it and that is admirable.
 
Red Ryder said:
Its still their product and if so, why or how does Chewy get the Sentinel product?
Click to expand...
They told my vet that Chewy gets their products through a third party and not direct from them.....as such.....they won't stand behind their product or help to cover the cost of treatment. That's all we were told. Our Vet said he argued with them but they wouldn't agree to cover our related expenses.

Seems like companies like Merck would prefer that you order through Chewy.....it reduces their perceived liability and gives them an argument to decline liability when their products don't work. Those monthly heartworm treatments they sell aren't cheap either.
 
Mosby said:
They told my vet that Chewy gets their products through a third party and not direct from them.....as such.....they won't stand behind their product or help to cover the cost of treatment. That's all we were told. Our Vet said he argued with them but they wouldn't agree to cover our related expenses.

Seems like companies like Merck would prefer that you order through Chewy.....it reduces their perceived liability and gives them an argument to decline liability when their products don't work. Those monthly heartworm treatments they sell aren't cheap either.
Click to expand...
Sounds like flannel mouthing to me, its still their product and their true concern is contingent liability. Good luck with your dog.
 
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