I have a 10-month-old female Havanese. I have her on Advantix already, especially since we are outdoors a lot. We live in Los Angeles, and our vet has told my friend who has my puppy’s brother to put him on Interceptorto fight possible worm problems.

I am weary of putting my dog on more chemical-type medicine. Can you suggest any herbal way to deal with possible worm problems?

Sima
Los Angeles, CA

There are no effective herbal remedies that prevent intestinal worms or heartworms — and herbal and traditional medications, incidentally, are absolutely LOADED with chemicals. Herbal remedies generally contain far larger numbers of chemicals than medications like Interceptor, which although they contain chemicals, are also produced to be pure.

Don’t think for a minute that you’re avoiding chemicals when you administer herbal remedies or dietary supplements to your pets or yourself. Why risk an adverse reaction using a product that isn’t even proven to work?

I’m not a fan of pumping chemicals into my dog, either. But if I’m going to give him a worm preventative, I’ll at least use something that works. Interceptor works.