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Originally Posted by KathyKelben  I believe heartworm is not as big an issue up here. Most vets try to push it on their clients.. the bloodtest is nearly $100.00 to see if the dog has heartworm, then the meds are very expensive. Before the vet gives you the HW meds, he insists on a bloodtest, every year. WTH is up with that!!?? If the heartworm meds. work, then why would I need to have him tested again every spring? The meds are taken up to November, then off for the winter then re-test in the spring??? outrageous!! When I brought that up to my vet, he got mad at me and asked me where I went to vet college? Needless to say that was the last year we went there. They don't like us being educated... and... he didn't answer my question. So now, I have my dogs checked for HW at their annual checkup and if they are clear, which they have been for ever we say thanks alot and that is that until its time for rabies vac.(every 3 years) They all had their complete puppy shots and rabies.... nothing else. |
You need to understand the nature of heartworms and the medication that is used to prevent and treat them. When heart worms are present, the medication kills them off and they come loose inside the blood stream. That puts the dog at great risk of having an embolism that can go to the lung, brain or a coronary artery and kill the dog. If the dog tests positive, it's imperative that the dog be kept crated during treatment to prevent this.
To give an untested dog the medication willy nilly is like playing russian roulette with their life.