"That time of year"
 

I hear a lot of people say, "Well, it's that time of year again. Getting warmer and mosquitoes are out. Time for heartworm meds again."

I think some vets would even say this considering what your climate is...

Well, whether it is "that time of year" or "it's needed yearly because it doesn't really get freezing here," everyone needs to remember that heartworm medicine is so important.

I'm in Alabama and we don't get super cold winters (for the most part). Therefore, my pups are always on heartworm prevention meds.

I brought up rawhides the other day and found out that some newcomers weren't aware of the dangers. I was so happy that I started the thread because I think it helped a couple of people.

Soooo, I'm starting this thread. Even if your dogs "never go outside," heartworm prevention is so very important. I sure hope everyone knows this. Trust me - even if *I* never went outside, I could still get a mosquito bite. I've gotten a few just inside my home before. Like it or not, bugs get inside when we open doors. Ever see a fly in your house? Yes? Well, same concept - mosquitoes can get in, too. ;)

Have you ever seen a pup suffering from heartworms? Well, I have. It's brutal and it's sad. No, the meds don't eliminate. They help prevent.

We spend so much money on our babies. We advocate vets even on weekends or at night. We do all we can for their health. Please please please don't skip this simple and so very VITAL part of taking care of their health.

Get your heartworm prevention today if you don't have any! Your pup will love you for it (hey, Mandie loves her heartguard plus!!! it's like a special monthly treat to her hehe)

Great post. There is a story about a Yorkie in the health section who got heart worms. It was not good. Personally I think it's best to give it all year even if you have cold winters so does my vet. :thumbup:

So great you are posting this! A lot of us, especially in not such mosquito-prone areas kinda take it for granted. Not good.

I never personally saw a dog suffering with heartworms, but I did watch that episode of Pitbulls & Parolees, where they picked up a pit who was literally within 24 hrs of dying from it. Made me cry so bad! They did save him tho.

I totally agree, Taylor - I would give it year round even if I lived in Alaska. But can you believe, I have actually heard a vet say "it's okay if you skipped during winter" to someone? The problem with skipping is this - what if you wait til you think Spring has "sprung" and then your baby gets a bite 2 days later?

It takes a bit for the meds to kick in....

yes it does, and the treatment/cure is not pleasant either!

I've always given it 12 mos. a year, taking no chances. Love your post. Thanks for the reminder to everyone.

Great Post. Mine are on Preventive all year long.
Speaking of mosquitos, I just came in from outside and guess what I have a mosquito bit on my arm.

Having worked as a Vet Tech I can tell you it's horrible what dog's have to go through that get Heart Worms, at times it's just too late and it's not a pretty site.

Do you guys in TX ever get a reprieve from skeeters? :(

I give Heartgard Plus all year around! It kills other worms besides heart worms. The only worms that it doesn't kill are tape worms. My vet and I just discussed this at my last visit! It is advised to get a tape worm test in the fall. Great info for people who need reminding! Thanks!

Just Friday when I took Darla out for her first trip to the front yard lasted all of 5 mins as I got Eaten alive by mosquitoes. This is a first for me! What is a bit shocking to me is my Vet didnt mention protection when we were there 2 weeks ago almost. It is warranting a call tomorrow to get her on something? Or is she to young?

No we do not. I have been biten even in December and January.

They just had done some testing for West Nile and found it already in certain areas. So they are starting spraying early this year. I hope it's not as bad as it was last year.

oh. That is one of the main reasons i like the drier climate. bug bites suck!!! I do cold just fine. insects not so much, & Lex is like me thankfully

:thumbup: This. I would definitely call the vet and get her started on something.

Sad, but it is true - sometimes we, as doggie parents, have to be proactive.

Anyone got a miracle for making Joey take his? Carley just gobbles hers right up, no peanut butter needed...Joey I have to cover in PB, and after he licks it all over and spits out the pill I have to have hubby hold him while I jam it down. Then he does this fake swallow, Ive found a pill in his pen before! So I have to lock him up and make him eat and search before he gets free roam of the house again. Spoiled yorkie!

Have you tried pill pockets or cream cheese? Cream cheese works like a charm with Shelby.

If needed, you could give heartguard plus. It is a chewable treat and Mandie Lovvvvveeessss it :)

Ive tried cream cheese, american cheese, the heart guard luckily we only had a sample because I had to break that up and force the pieces down. He doesnt like something about the medicine. I would go with the advantage multi, but I just dont feel as safe with the heartworms with a topical.

Yeah, I don't like topicals but if it is the only way to get him to take it..might have to.

Okay, there is this thing called a pill shooter or something like that. Many here use it and have mentioned it. Might be your best option short of what I used to do (the "mean thing") and shove it down his throat and hold his mouth closed for a few minutes til he either swallows or it dissolves lol

Good post!!:thumbup::thumbup:

I am very much a minimalist when it comes to my dog. I think over-vaccinating is harming our pets and I definitely think less is better. I will only use flea/tick topicals when absolutely necessary.

With that said, I just don't mess around with heartworms. We give it all year every month.

I do believe there are a few places where it's not necessary during winter but it's very very few.

I am like you for sure! Mandie doesn't even get flea stuff. Shelby does (his pill includes it with the heartworm med). What he takes (in my opinion) protects our yard - including Mandie. Never saw a flea on her last summer or so far this year.

First flea I see on her - I will reconsider this plan of attack....

Thanks Terri! This is a touchy subject for me. After working at an animal clinic...ALL my dogs and cats get heartworm meds every 30 days. I would never risk it on my kids. I'm glad, we talked about this yesterday. & even more glad you posted this.

It's just a subject not everyone is in agreement on, but facts are facts and I hope everyone will just have an open mind and consider these things.

In the end, we all love our babies. And I know everyone here wants and tries to do the absolute best for them. Sometimes it helps to continue to discuss and learn.

I still learn things here almost daily. That is a fact! :thumbup:

Couldn't have said it better myself!

I have to use a pill shooter to get Callie to take certain pills the vet tech gave it to me when she had her leg surgery and was on Tramadol. Make sure if you use one it has a rubber tip or it can really hurt and mess up there throat.

Great post! We do get a reprieve here with the cold winter months and I typically do not give heart worm meds December through February (of course depending on the weather - we have had some warmer than normal Decembers lately) that said, my two just got their second dose of the year on the 15th. I agree, this is something that I would never mess around with - I have seen mosquitoes in my house along with flies, ants and spiders :eek: So I know they are sneaky and can get in even when we think they can't.

Agreed! We keep KS and Mollie on heartworm and flea preventative year round.

I keep my dogs on preventive year long also.

Same here Heartgard and Frontline Plus year round.

Not to mention that heartworm treatment is very pricey! I work in a shelter and sadly some of our dogs are hw positive, and we can't pay for treatment. So heartbreaking.