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kjc · 05-21-2009, 06:14 AM

FYI: Heartworm can be deadly. We all know this. Treating an active Heartworm case can be deadly. Why??? Because the HW are adults and if you kill them all at once, the dead worms clog the heart= heartattack=death.

The life cycle of the HW: (This may not be exact, but it's close enough)
The adult HW in an infected dog reproduce, larve=microfilaria. A mosquito bites that dog and picks up microfilaria, bites another dog and transfers it to the new dog.
It takes 2 months for these baby heartworms to mature enough to begin their migration to the dogs heart, where they continue to grow for 2-4 months when they can reproduce. And it starts over. blah, blah, blah.

Begin Rant: Okay, day 1: Dog is tested (neg) and given dose of Heartworm med (Heartguard or whatever). This kills microfilaria for one month, so at the end of this month, the dog is HW Negative.

Day 31: Dog's owner forgets to administer HW Meds. Dog gets infected with microfilaria. It takes 2 months for these baby heartworms to mature enough to begin their migration to the dogs heart, where they continue to grow for 2-4 months when they can reproduce.

Day 61: Dog is HW infected with 1 month microfilaria, which can still be safely killed with a dose of a monthly HW Med.

So, I asked my vet: Why do we treat them every month? After some thought, he said, "Probably so owners will remember to do it." So, technically, one could give HW meds every other month, or actually every 3rd month and still be safe. Answer=YES. (BTW he only tests my dogs every other year.) Why do I have extra HW meds? Oh, my friend's dog passed and she gave me what she had left. (They won't remember)

Point of Rant: Is this a money maker or what? I always read how people are tight for $$$$, and it breaks my heart that they feel bad and may be considering not using HW meds at all bc it's so expensive. Every other month would cut costs in half! And to cut costs further, look into using Revolution. It does HW, fleas, ticks, mites and other stuff. I like it bc it's a single drug, it's topical, and my vet lets me buy it in bulk. I can treat 3 cats and 2 dogs for 4 Years for $103.00!!!! To save more $$$$, I'm going to alternate the Revolution with my leftover Frontline....

For those of you financially stressed: Ask that your dogs only be tested every other year. Insist that you HW medicate monthly and you don't see why it's necessary. (Friend's dog died and she gave you her meds)

And don't throw away expired HW meds: pesticides do not expire. If anything, they may be less effective, but I figure in Yorkies who are totally OD'ed anyway, they're probably just right.

Google heartworms to see area maps of reported cases, areas of infestation and life-cycle charts

05-21-2009, 06:14 AM	#1
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,872	Major Heartworm Med Rant!!!! FYI: Heartworm can be deadly. We all know this. Treating an active Heartworm case can be deadly. Why??? Because the HW are adults and if you kill them all at once, the dead worms clog the heart= heartattack=death. The life cycle of the HW: (This may not be exact, but it's close enough) The adult HW in an infected dog reproduce, larve=microfilaria. A mosquito bites that dog and picks up microfilaria, bites another dog and transfers it to the new dog. It takes 2 months for these baby heartworms to mature enough to begin their migration to the dogs heart, where they continue to grow for 2-4 months when they can reproduce. And it starts over. blah, blah, blah. Begin Rant: Okay, day 1: Dog is tested (neg) and given dose of Heartworm med (Heartguard or whatever). This kills microfilaria for one month, so at the end of this month, the dog is HW Negative. Day 31: Dog's owner forgets to administer HW Meds. Dog gets infected with microfilaria. It takes 2 months for these baby heartworms to mature enough to begin their migration to the dogs heart, where they continue to grow for 2-4 months when they can reproduce. Day 61: Dog is HW infected with 1 month microfilaria, which can still be safely killed with a dose of a monthly HW Med. So, I asked my vet: Why do we treat them every month? After some thought, he said, "Probably so owners will remember to do it." So, technically, one could give HW meds every other month, or actually every 3rd month and still be safe. Answer=YES. (BTW he only tests my dogs every other year.) Why do I have extra HW meds? Oh, my friend's dog passed and she gave me what she had left. (They won't remember) Point of Rant: Is this a money maker or what? I always read how people are tight for $$$$, and it breaks my heart that they feel bad and may be considering not using HW meds at all bc it's so expensive. Every other month would cut costs in half! And to cut costs further, look into using Revolution. It does HW, fleas, ticks, mites and other stuff. I like it bc it's a single drug, it's topical, and my vet lets me buy it in bulk. I can treat 3 cats and 2 dogs for 4 Years for $103.00!!!! To save more $$$$, I'm going to alternate the Revolution with my leftover Frontline.... For those of you financially stressed: Ask that your dogs only be tested every other year. Insist that you HW medicate monthly and you don't see why it's necessary. (Friend's dog died and she gave you her meds) And don't throw away expired HW meds: pesticides do not expire. If anything, they may be less effective, but I figure in Yorkies who are totally OD'ed anyway, they're probably just right. Google heartworms to see area maps of reported cases, areas of infestation and life-cycle charts __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity Last edited by kjc; 05-21-2009 at 06:17 AM.