[Ellie May]

Some of the things on this thread really concern me - heartworm in particular. Michigan is sometimes assumed to be a 6-8 months a year state. Well, vets were seeing cases when dogs were not given the preventative during winter. First, just because it is below the temp that mosquitos can survive in, that does not mean 100% of them will be obliterated from the state. Second, the "experts" who come up with the theories about avoiding meds in winter apparently do not understand that it needs to be given three months consecutively after exposure. So if dog is bit in late September and last pill of the season is given on October 1 the dog is wide open even with no misquitos around.

Heartworm is not uncommon. It is not hard to get. As of May, one vet office around here had already seen around 20 cases. Yes, it is actually a cure and not a prevention like any dewormer, but there is a big different between killing the adult worm and killing the microfilaria.

My dogs are on meds year-round as are my vet's dogs.

It is up to each individual, but I wouldn't acceptwhat holstic vets have to say just because they claim to know what they are talking about.

BTW, we only use flea meds PRN bc it isn't a big issue for our lifestyle. And as I said before I am a vaccine minimalist. However, heartworm I would not mess with.

IMO, Lyme, corona, giardia, and flu vaccines are far from worth giving.
We have been through kennel cough here. I didn'tsee the big deal. A healthy dog usually will not develop pneumonia if given antibiotics when indicated. I wouldn't give it to them anymore than I get the flu shot for myself.
Lepto is a nasty disease and I understand the fear surrounding it and the vaccine. I think it is a very personal decision for small dogs who spend lots of time outside.