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A Heart Worm Question Oliver is 3 months old now and I was wondering when anybody started their puppies on heart worm meds. I gave all the dogs the heart worm today and I stopped when it came to Oliver. I asked the vet on Saturday and He said I could start him now but everything I've read about heart worm says you should start them at 4 months old. I have to add that this vet has as much personality as Lurch on the Adams Family. He is very distant and when you ask him a question it's either a yes or no answer. It's like you have to pry the information out of him. So I know you guys are better to ask than him. I don't want to give it to him too soon and yet I don't want to wait too long. BTW my friend uses the same animal hospital and she calls him Dr. Lurch. The rest of the vets are really good but you can never guarantee who you are going to get. |
Heartworm can be given to puppies, but I'll admit that I do/did wait. Here is a heartworm info thread: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-overview.html But also, isn't it still really cold there? Many people who have a winter stop the heartworm anyway for the cold months, so it would seem you have time regardless...? I'd confirm all of that with a vet you trust. :) |
Have the blood test done before starting it. I started Max when he was barely 4 months old on advice from our first vet, but our breeder starts her pups later. |
I always thought it was okay to wait, but now I would likely: Start at eight weeks or as soon as the product can be used for the weight of the dog. Give year-round with testing annually in all 50 states. Testing before use wouldn't be necessary if you are doing it this young (American Heartworm Society page has a lot of information about all of this). |
I started both of mine as soon as they came home from the breeders. They get the pill year round and an annual blood test. |
Actually Oliver was given a blood test when we took him for a wellness visit at 6 weeks. Do you think he needs another blood test? |
That would not have been for heartworms (or at least shouldn't have been). If you start it now, he does not need to be tested first. |
My vet told me to wait until my little Oliver weighed in at 2 pounds. It took him awhile to get there as he's always been so tiny but I don't think the age necessarily matters. I was given heartworm on my initial visit with Oliver and he was 10 weeks old. I believe I waited another month to give him heartworm because he was just so tiny. Hope that helps! |
I started Quinn right when I got her at 13 weeks. Just a warning--I would definitely still give her the meds during winter months. My boyfriend thought he would be fine not giving his lab meds during that time, but she ended up getting hookworms. Although hookworms aren't that big of a deal, it still shows how you can catch stuff during the winter. |
Just a question, as I have never heard of this before, why do some people choose not to give heart worm meds during the winter time? Are there any risks associated with this? Thanks! |
mosquitos They get the heartworms from mosquito bites and since you don't have them in winter they don't think they need the medication. BUT some times there are mosquitos when you don't expect them. I would rather be safe and keep them on the medication. |
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Thanks everybody I spoke to another vet and she said to wait until Oliver is 4 months old as long he doesn't go outdoors yet. So we are going to start in 2 weeks. |
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