[kjc]

Originally Posted by aquinn

So, I completely blanked Tucker's Heartgard plus in June! He's supposed to get it the 28th each month and I totally blanked it. I remembered today and gave it to him right away. But now I'm concerned

Does anyone know how long it takes for the medicine to wear off? Could it have worn off in the days between when I should have given it and when I did? If he got bit by a mosquito could he now be at risk of having gotten heartworm?

I did a bit of research on the net but didn't find much. any info on this would be much appreciated.

Thank you!!!

From heartgard's website:

HEARTGARD Plus should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year
when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active.
The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog’s first exposure
to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog’s
last exposure to mosquitoes.
When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease
prevention program, the first dose of HEARTGARD Plus must be given within a month
(30 days) of the last dose of the former medication.
If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin
can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the Chewable must be given
once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether
by a few days or many, immediate treatment with HEARTGARD Plus and resumption
of the recommended dosing regimen will minimize the opportunity for the

development of adult heartworms.

It says to resume the recommended dosing regimen (which is once a month), it does not say to resume your dosing schedule.

If you have a 5# Yorkie, the HG Plus dose is for dogs up to 25#. He's already getting 5 times the amount he needs. You give him a dose today. Today's dose kills any larvae in his skin (tissue stage). The larvae stay in the skin for 2 months if not treated. Once you dose your dog, all the larvae die. He does not need another dose for another 30 days. Giving him another dose in 2 or 3 weeks will do nothing, because the dose you gave today has killed them all. If he gets bitten and is Heartworm infected in 2 weeks, the dose you give 30 days after today's dose kills them all.

Hope this helps...