Dog licking everything after heartworm pill: Is it a side effect?

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. I would recommend bringing a fecal sample in to your vet to check for intestinal parasites. Even though she has been dewormed, the dewormer used may not have treated all intestinal parasites. This may also be a behavioral problem and an obsessive behavior. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lucy! I always recommend the first time giving nexgard and heartgard to separate them out by 2 days in case there is a reaction we know which drug it could be. Both have the potential to cause an upset stomach. Also having intestinal parasites can cause vomiting and diarrhea. The heatgard kills round worms so that could be why Lucy passed the worm after you gave the medication. Sadly both are possible causes for her upset stomach. Usually all quickly resolve. Just watch her closely for the next several hours. If she continues to vomit or won't eat this morning I would call your Vet when they open this morning and have her seen before they close for the weekend. Good luck!

That is not a typical side effect of a deworming treatment, and I would be concerned that something else is causing Lucy to behave this way such as an illness or injury. Keep a close eye on her for now. If this behavior continues over the next 30-60 minutes, gets worse, or she develops other signs such as disorientation, confusion, vomiting, or severe lethargy, take her into a vet right away. Good luck, I hope this helps!

No, that does not sound normal. At regular/normal dosing Milbemycin is pretty safe and side effects are pretty rare. What you are describing does not sound spot on with side effects for this drug. Side effects are usually neurological. I suggest you get a second opinion from another vet. ( https://www.petplace.com/article/drug-library/drug-library/library/milbemycin-oxime-interceptor-for-dogs-and-cats/ )

Chronic licking is a common sign of nausea, as well as hypersalivation. Nausea can be caused by many conditions such as dietary indiscretion (eating things Bella shouldn't be), intestinal parasites, foreign bodies, and pancreatitis. If Bella is consistently doing this, it is worth it to rule out the conditions above. Your vet may recommend bloodwork, x-rays, and possibly an abdominal ultrasound. I hope all is well and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I have seen deworming pills cause an upset tummy: vomit, diarrhea, decreased appetite. It usually resolves in 1-2 days. The pill may not be the cause of why Lucy isn't acting normal. If it has been 2 days since you gave the pill I would have Lucy seen by your Vet to make sure she is ok. I hope this helps and I wish Lucy the best!

Depending on the type of heart worm preventative you gave, it can cause upset tummy like vomiting and even diarrhea. Next time I would recommend to make sure she has had a full meal prior to giving the medicine or you can change to a different medicine all together. Finally, if she isn't improved by tomorrow I would contact your vet for an exam and make sure she doesn't need any fluids or anti-nausea medicine. I hope this helps.