Question about heartworm prevention - advice - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lolli_lah · 11-06-2009, 08:24 PM

I went to this vet office today, well we went to 2 just to check things out in the nearest area.

So the first one we went to all their prices are VERY reasonable and seemed to know what they were talking about. All were incredibly nice. So we have papers from the previous owner that has the date and paper and whatever else about the distemper, rabies and parvo vaccinations. None of that is due until May+ of next year..

So we don't have any info on whether or not she (Lollipop) was on heartworm preventative. Since her previous owner was a vet tech and all her other shots are up to date I guess they just decided that she was probably in the 'safe' of heartworm, as they did mention possibly getting her a heartworm test..

But then they sold us Iverheart Plus, and then I learned later from a friend that since we don't know 100% if she was on heartworm preventative and if so when was the last time she had it that the Iverheart should have absolutely been distributed only AFTER a heartworm test..

So we already gave it to her earlier and I'm so confused. Could I have possibly hurt my baby??? Is there any risk to giving a heartworm preventative if she might already have heartworm if by chance she contracted it?

I did contact the previous owner via email to ask about it but I haven't had a response yet (as I just did it). I'd really love some input please! I hope we didn't do anything horribly wrong.. although it would have been the vets office fault for selling/distributing a preventative pill without testing first..

jadabug · 11-07-2009, 02:21 AM

I am pretty sure that you must have the heartworm test before giving meds. I know my DIL is a vet tech and I use the vet where she works. I have had rehome dogs in the past that we didn't know the history and my vet always did blood work to test for heartworm before giving meds. It is my understanding if they are positive for heartworm you can't give the heartworm meds. I would talk to a different vet if it were me.

JERSEY BOY · 11-07-2009, 04:16 AM

Jersey ig going for a heartworm test today. I'll ask the vet

Wylie's Mom · 11-07-2009, 04:37 AM

Since you don't know her history or whether she was on a preventive, then yes, she should have a heartworm test to rule out heartworms before proceeding. You didn't "hurt" her though by giving the pill, though, it's okay

. But I'd her the test sooon. Many Humane Assn's will do the test for a lesser fee.

Mardelin · 11-07-2009, 04:38 AM

You absolutely should have her tested before beginning heartworm. It can cause problems if you don't.....Simple enough to get done. If she's heartworm positive...the treatments are rather expensive.

Lolli_lah · 11-07-2009, 06:32 AM

I already know I need to get her heartworm test done, if the previous owner tells me she wasn't on preventative or at least not up to date on it (until now).

I just needed to know if giving her a preventative would be harmful as they just told me that I need to get her on it. So thank you Wylie's Mom for letting me know. I was afraid that I might have made her sick or something!

I'm going to call today and ask them why they give me a pill without demanding a test first. We were only really there to get information (because we were asking a few diff vets about prices and to see their facility and meet the people to make the right choice).

Wylie's Mom · 11-07-2009, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolli_lah

I just needed to know if giving her a preventative would be harmful as they just told me that I need to get her on it. So thank you Wylie's Mom for letting me know. I was afraid that I might have made her sick or something!

There are vets who use use heartworm pills *as* the treatment protocol (called "the slow kill") for some heartworm patients - rather than using arsenic shots (the traditional treatment, which is painful). So, although it wasn't "great" that you gave it, you didn't "hurt" your baby - so don't beat yourself up.

Lolli_lah · 11-07-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

There are vets who use use heartworm pills *as* the treatment protocol (called "the slow kill") for some heartworm patients - rather than using arsenic shots (the traditional treatment, which is painful). So, although it wasn't "great" that you gave it, you didn't "hurt" your baby - so don't beat yourself up.

Oh really? Because it kind of makes sense. I was reading reviews on google from various pet medication sites and for the Iverheart Plus, I don't know if it's even true for all kinds, they were saying that some vets still administer it for aiding with heartworm 'treatment'. Not to treat it fully but just to kind of help.

Also this vet is a non-profit kind I guess, their mission is mostly just to do things like vaccines, spay/neuter surgery and heartworm medications. They do do heartworm testing as well but other things health-wise for a dog they usually refer to this other clinic. I think their mission is mostly just for the general maintenance/care of your dog that you have to do regularly and not so much for actual doctoring, though they do have licensed/educated vets on staff, I think that's just what their "mission" is as a non-profit.

So maybe they did kind of just give it to her anyway for that purpose, as they might not actually have treatment even if she did test positive? Or maybe to help until we get her in for testing??

JERSEY BOY · 11-07-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolli_lah

I went to this vet office today, well we went to 2 just to check things out in the nearest area.

So the first one we went to all their prices are VERY reasonable and seemed to know what they were talking about. All were incredibly nice. So we have papers from the previous owner that has the date and paper and whatever else about the distemper, rabies and parvo vaccinations. None of that is due until May+ of next year..

So we don't have any info on whether or not she (Lollipop) was on heartworm preventative. Since her previous owner was a vet tech and all her other shots are up to date I guess they just decided that she was probably in the 'safe' of heartworm, as they did mention possibly getting her a heartworm test..

But then they sold us Iverheart Plus, and then I learned later from a friend that since we don't know 100% if she was on heartworm preventative and if so when was the last time she had it that the Iverheart should have absolutely been distributed only AFTER a heartworm test..

So we already gave it to her earlier and I'm so confused. Could I have possibly hurt my baby??? Is there any risk to giving a heartworm preventative if she might already have heartworm if by chance she contracted it?

I did contact the previous owner via email to ask about it but I haven't had a response yet (as I just did it). I'd really love some input please! I hope we didn't do anything horribly wrong.. although it would have been the vets office fault for selling/distributing a preventative pill without testing first..

We went to the vet today and I asked your question, he said it would not hurt the dog if you gave the dose medicine before the test but he said he would not dispense the prevention without the test.

reeses · 11-07-2009, 06:43 PM

When you take a puppy for its last puppy booster shot and its rabies shot then they will start you on heartworm preventative and do not have to test for heartworms b/c they are too young to have developed them yet. However, if you have an older puppy or an adult furbaby that has never been on heartworm preventative then you need to have a heartworm test done first to be sure he/she does not have heartworms. I do not think it will hurt your baby if you give them the preventative but if he/she does have heartworms then it wont make them go away...thats why you need to have a test done so if they have them they can start treatment to hopefully get rid of them b/c they will need treatment not a preventative. Hope this helps!

Lolli_lah · 11-07-2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeses

When you take a puppy for its last puppy booster shot and its rabies shot then they will start you on heartworm preventative and do not have to test for heartworms b/c they are too young to have developed them yet. However, if you have an older puppy or an adult furbaby that has never been on heartworm preventative then you need to have a heartworm test done first to be sure he/she does not have heartworms. I do not think it will hurt your baby if you give them the preventative but if he/she does have heartworms then it wont make them go away...thats why you need to have a test done so if they have them they can start treatment to hopefully get rid of them b/c they will need treatment not a preventative. Hope this helps!

Yes, thank you. I already know why and when the heartworm tests are administered, I just needed to know if it was unsafe that this vet gave me the Iverheart pill without testing first. But I think it's been answered.

I called the previous owner since I hadn't gotten a response to the email yet. She didn't answer so I left a message, hopefully she will call back and let us know. If she doesn't reply then we are going to have everything done when she goes in for her spay surgery this week or next when they can get her in so we can just do everything at once and not have to take her back a bunch of times.

Lolli_lah · 11-08-2009, 06:46 PM

She called back and told me she had been on heartworm preventative and she had been given one for October (so we were right on time for November)! She also said that the owner before her had her on preventative as well so we should be good to go.

This is much much relief and thanks all of you for the mental support before I went crazy thinking I might have done something wrong, hehe.

11-06-2009, 08:24 PM	#1
Lolli_lah Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Fort Myers, FL, USA Posts: 155 Blog Entries: 1	Question about heartworm prevention - advice I went to this vet office today, well we went to 2 just to check things out in the nearest area. So the first one we went to all their prices are VERY reasonable and seemed to know what they were talking about. All were incredibly nice. So we have papers from the previous owner that has the date and paper and whatever else about the distemper, rabies and parvo vaccinations. None of that is due until May+ of next year.. So we don't have any info on whether or not she (Lollipop) was on heartworm preventative. Since her previous owner was a vet tech and all her other shots are up to date I guess they just decided that she was probably in the 'safe' of heartworm, as they did mention possibly getting her a heartworm test.. But then they sold us Iverheart Plus, and then I learned later from a friend that since we don't know 100% if she was on heartworm preventative and if so when was the last time she had it that the Iverheart should have absolutely been distributed only AFTER a heartworm test.. So we already gave it to her earlier and I'm so confused. Could I have possibly hurt my baby??? Is there any risk to giving a heartworm preventative if she might already have heartworm if by chance she contracted it? I did contact the previous owner via email to ask about it but I haven't had a response yet (as I just did it). I'd really love some input please! I hope we didn't do anything horribly wrong.. although it would have been the vets office fault for selling/distributing a preventative pill without testing first.. __________________ Lollipop Pretty Little Princess

11-07-2009, 02:21 AM	#2
jadabug Jada and Bogie's Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: newport tn usa Posts: 1,365	I am pretty sure that you must have the heartworm test before giving meds. I know my DIL is a vet tech and I use the vet where she works. I have had rehome dogs in the past that we didn't know the history and my vet always did blood work to test for heartworm before giving meds. It is my understanding if they are positive for heartworm you can't give the heartworm meds. I would talk to a different vet if it were me. __________________ Michelle Jada and Bogie

11-07-2009, 04:37 AM	#4
Wylie's Mom Marcel + Wylie = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 9,536 Blog Entries: 2	Since you don't know her history or whether she was on a preventive, then yes, she should have a heartworm test to rule out heartworms before proceeding. You didn't "hurt" her though by giving the pill, though, it's okay . But I'd her the test sooon. Many Humane Assn's will do the test for a lesser fee. __________________ ~o~o~o~o~o~o~My Goofy Blog: Velvet Lava Cafe~o~o~o~o~o~o~ Ann ~ Mom to Marcel Verdel Purcell & Wylie "Floop" Fitzsmudge We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. ~ Immanuel Kant

11-07-2009, 04:38 AM	#5
Mardelin YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California Posts: 6,756	You absolutely should have her tested before beginning heartworm. It can cause problems if you don't.....Simple enough to get done. If she's heartworm positive...the treatments are rather expensive. __________________ Mardelin *Yorkshire* *Terriers*

11-07-2009, 06:32 AM	#6
Lolli_lah Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Fort Myers, FL, USA Posts: 155 Blog Entries: 1	I already know I need to get her heartworm test done, if the previous owner tells me she wasn't on preventative or at least not up to date on it (until now). I just needed to know if giving her a preventative would be harmful as they just told me that I need to get her on it. So thank you Wylie's Mom for letting me know. I was afraid that I might have made her sick or something! I'm going to call today and ask them why they give me a pill without demanding a test first. We were only really there to get information (because we were asking a few diff vets about prices and to see their facility and meet the people to make the right choice). __________________ Lollipop Pretty Little Princess

11-07-2009, 04:16 AM	#3
JERSEY BOY Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: sparta nj usa Posts: 219	Jersey ig going for a heartworm test today. I'll ask the vet

11-07-2009, 06:43 PM	#10
reeses My Lil Man! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,668 Blog Entries: 2	When you take a puppy for its last puppy booster shot and its rabies shot then they will start you on heartworm preventative and do not have to test for heartworms b/c they are too young to have developed them yet. However, if you have an older puppy or an adult furbaby that has never been on heartworm preventative then you need to have a heartworm test done first to be sure he/she does not have heartworms. I do not think it will hurt your baby if you give them the preventative but if he/she does have heartworms then it wont make them go away...thats why you need to have a test done so if they have them they can start treatment to hopefully get rid of them b/c they will need treatment not a preventative. Hope this helps! __________________ Reeses LOVES Mimi!!!! Healthy Food and Treats for your Furbaby!!! FREE SAMPLES!!

11-08-2009, 06:46 PM	#12
Lolli_lah Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Fort Myers, FL, USA Posts: 155 Blog Entries: 1	She called back and told me she had been on heartworm preventative and she had been given one for October (so we were right on time for November)! She also said that the owner before her had her on preventative as well so we should be good to go. This is much much relief and thanks all of you for the mental support before I went crazy thinking I might have done something wrong, hehe. __________________ Lollipop Pretty Little Princess