Are heartworm tests necessary?

[BJBEVSBABY3]

Originally Posted by hnybun128

I know! It never really occurred to me to question it before! They include a map of the U.S. which indicates what months to treat for heartworm by state. I just give them the medicine every month because that's what I was told to do. I don't know that I would change that, but I want to do more research.

Would love to see Map. BJ is only 5 l/2 months and I have taken her to the vet for a checkup the breeder required and then I think 3 more times for shots and checkups. She was so small they divided her doses they said. Each time they asked for a stool sample. I took one in twice, the third time they asked if I brought one and I said NO because you have not told me if the test was OK or nothing They claim they have to send it off, with Dee Dee they never mentioned that and she was on a small pill. This last time they sent me home with 6 tube pk. of Advantage and the vet applied one the first time. I want to take good care of her, I already lost Dee Dee at 10 which is young but it was cancer. I do think the vet should tell us results of tests.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Yes, you should check to be sure they actually administered the test and it was negative just to be on the safe side. Likely it was normal and you would have been called in to discuss beginning immediate treatment if it were not normal but since they didn't mention it, call.

[BJBEVSBABY3]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Yes, you should check to be sure they actually administered the test and it was negative just to be on the safe side. Likely it was normal and you would have been called in to discuss beginning immediate treatment if it were not normal but since they didn't mention it, call.

Thanks, they do have her on Advantage. I posted a thread on here about a reaction to what I thought was advantage on here somewhere but thank you for the quick response.

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I'm almost out of Interceptor and am going to have to change due to its non-production. Jilly and now Tibbe both used it successfully.

I know... She was on Heartguard Plus and my vet wanted to give Interceptor a shot because of her allergies..

Now I don't know what will be next.. Because I really am not sure I want to do Heartguard again. I'll have to talk to her about it.

[concretegurl]

The non-annulal treatment is ludicrous in my mind. Treating only for the months they are supposedly active in your region.<---it's seriously faulty, especially with indoor animals.

I've seen and understand the "treatment map" however, how do you know a dog infected with heart worm didn't just come in the are of your dog from another location?

How you you know someone didn't step on an egg and then leave it in the grocery store and then you stepped on it and it survived in the warm groove of your shoe before falling off your shoe back in your home and infecting your dog?

In a day and age when parasites travel from region to region because we travel from region to region so much and even in an environment where something shouldn't be active, alive or survive-it will now and the risk is just too great.

We still vaccinate our children again disease we haven't had in this country in a hundred years (liberally stating that fact quite loosely) because there are corners of the Earth where it survives and someone traveled there and brought it here to 'your or our' small town from the other corner of the Earth.

[hnybun128]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

We still vaccinate our children again disease we haven't had in this country in a hundred years (liberally stating that fact quite loosely) because there are corners of the Earth where it survives and someone traveled there and brought it here to 'your or our' small town from the other corner of the Earth.

Not everyone vaccinates their children against everything anymore. There are have been studies linking it to autism and there is still debate going on in the medical community. I have a co-worker with an autisic child and while I can't quote the numbers he gave me accurately, I was astounded at the number of vaccinations children receive today versus when I was a child. I'm only 36, so were talking maybe a 20yr span in which I think the number of shots more than doubled (again, I don't have the numbers here).

My animals are all fully vaccinated and Mojo's test results came back today just fine. I just think it's good to question. It seems like the prevailing opinion is that the majority of vets don't know much about nutrition. I can personally attest to that being true in my experience and I've certainly read enough posts about it on this board and elsewhere. If that's the case, what else are they not well educated about? How well is veterinary medicine even regulated?

[concretegurl]

I agree but wanted to point out:

Vaccines in the 70's were linked to causing autism because of the mercury in the needles-we use stainless steel now so it's a non-issue.

HOWEVER, parents should be aware to NEVER vaccinate your child when they are sick-with any infection or virus because the risk of a reaction or other issue is amplified dramatically.

I refuse the flu shot, new HPV vaccine and the HEP B until my children are over a year. We didn't get the new nasal vacine either for the "new flu" I don't think anything that was created in a paniced crisis and hasn't even been tested more than 3 months is safe.

Personally the risk of getting these disses is worse than the risk of a reaction to the vaccine. We eat out a lot-Hep B is prevalent is some communities more than others-especially in those of illegal immigrant works-many of which work in the kitchens of restaurants we eat in-so we do that one to.

Plus in CA it's required for children to play public sports, attend public schools and our private school it was in the contract-silly the only kids who get sick are those not vaccinate or those who might have a rare chance of failure vaccine failure.

My pediatrician give single vacs-not the combos most use. We also don't follow the normal protocol we wait until my children are a bit older for the shots and we NEVER vaccinate unless they are well-no live strains are ever used on my kids-that's also important.

I'm a picky mom for both skin and fur kids.

My dogs are NOT fully vaccinated. Rabies is legally required, we are in current compliance with it.

[Sweet Girls]

I know this can be a hot topic for everyone, and I agree with all the posters who said that everyone needs to do the research and then make the decision that they think best for their pets.

Having said that, I live in Ontario, more to the point the Toronto Area, and my Holistic Vet's opinion is that if Heartworm were an issue in this area then the coyote's would be dying of it. According to her, and some of what I've read, Heartworm is not new, but the reason dogs are getting so ill with it, is more likely due to the poor diets and over abundance/use of pesticides...taking that into consideration, I test my dogs yearly and although they are not on a heartworm preventative, I do use natural preventatives for mosquitos/fleas and ticks.

Its a gamble that I'm willing to take...it really is about balancing risk and benefit.

[Tayluvheryorkie]

My understanding is a dog cannot even get a script for heart worm meds unless they been tested first. We have a lot of pet clinics here that will do the test for 25. bucks. Corky vet told me he really does not have to be tested every year as long as he is taking his meds.

[bamawife]

My pets are on a preventive every month out of the year. We live in a heartworm endemic area so we don't take any chances!!!!

[Mystick]

I haven't read through the 3 pages of posts on this, yet, but I will tell you that our dogs are on heartworm prevention year round and are tested yearly. We live in an area where mosquitos are abundant, and I actually have a dog that is a heartworm survivor. He came to me as a foster after having to undergo heartworm treatment when he was rescued from a high-kill animal shelter and tested positive for heartworms. I have seen too many dogs die from heartworms and too many have to go through treatment. I, personally, don't feel that it is worth the risk to not have my dogs on the prevention. The treatment is risky and it is expensive. I've even seen cats end up with heartworms here, which is very rare, but it CAN happen.

[JMuedog]

We are on preventative year round and do the annual test. I don't see any harm in doing it. A drop of blood... like a finger stick for us... why not do it? Its pretty inexpensive and I'd want to know ASAP if the preventative had failed.

[Nancy1999]

We too get the annual test, it's the safest thing to do if you are taking the pill. I give the pill on the first of every month, and signed up for an e-mail reminder. I mark it down on the YorkieTalk calendar when the pill is given; I need these helpers because my memory isn't as good as it use to be. I've heard this is an extremely painful illness, and some animal rights groups will even put down a dog rather than treat for the illness because that is so painful, so prevention first and catching the disease early is very important.