Do you use Heart Worm Preventative?

[Miao]

I checked "no" because I have never used it for any of my dogs in the past and there wasn't a problem. We've also never tested for heartworms either.

But I am considering starting my yorkie on Interceptor this summer and every summer hereafter. (I did have her on several dosages of Revolution last summer but have since stopped using it.)

[ARCHIE]

Buddy is on Hearguard year round and get's tested for heartworms
at his yearly at which time I get another prescription filled for the
following year. IMO it's not worth the risk of not guarding againt
heartworms. The treatment is costly, painfull and not all dog's make
it.

[FlDebra]

We use Heartguard Plus. Our vet also said the Revolution was not recommended for dogs only cats. He won't even sell it to a dog owner. But for those that only use Heartworm medication part of the year, don't you have to retest them and get the negative result back before you restart the meds? That is what our vet said if we ever lapsed in used the Heartguard . Being a week or so late is probably okay, but over that, you are supposed to retest is what I have been told by the vet.

I have heard of using the flea protection only part of the year, just not the Heartworm meds.

[celcruz820]

I live in San Diego, California and my vet is now recommending Advantage Multi for heartworm prevention since she said that she's starting to see more cases of heartworm disease around our area.

[HVill20134]

I use Revolution for my Zoe. I have used this Heartworm/Flea/Tick prevention since she came to me at 12 weeks old. She is now 6 years old. She gets her treatment very month because we live in Florida. She had her annual physical (with bloodwork) just two weeks ago and all is well. Zoe has not experienced any ill effect from this brand and will remain on it.

[Sandysbabies]

Mine have been on Interceptor all their lives. I do not give anything with chemcials in it for fleas. We had a very bad reaction to Frontline and will never again use any of these. I did buy some of the coconut oil and if I do see any fleas on them that is what I will be using.

[wemple2]

Interceptor here, all year round. Winston does still get tested for heartworm yearly, every April. I also watched my parents dog die from heartworm, it was devastating, so unnecessary...it could have been prevented.

[donnarod]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

I have always used Interceptor all my life on any babies that I have ever owned. However, if I don't give my kiddos their Heartworm Preventative this month (which I DO plan to - hubby is going to go and pick it up for me this week), it will be the 3rd month that they've gone without it

Can I just ask though - what is "BAD" about giving a heartworm preventative? I'm honestly clueless...

Also, to those who only give a heartworm preventative during the warmer months, how do you do this? I mean, once you start giving the heartworm preventative to them and then you stop for so long (for so many months), don't you have to have them tested for Heartworms to be sure that they don't have them before you start them back on the preventative again? I have always heard that this was necessary after they had been off the preventative as if they WERE to have Heartworms when you started them back on the preventative, it could kill them.

You are correct. They should stay on it every month and don't stop.
Also, Tricksie had her yearly check-up yesterday and she is on Comfortis for fleas but very seldom she will get one and she is allergic to them. The Vet told me that it will not prevent fleas from getting on her but they can't hatch eggs. I need to do more research.

[KeVaNaO9O5O8]

wat could happen if u dont qive ur yorkie heart worm preventativee ... ??

[jfalz73]

We use heartguard plus for all of our dogs all year long. They get tested once a year and we get a new prescription. The flea and tick we use advantix from about April to Oct. That seems to do the trick for us!

[donnarod]

Originally Posted by KeVaNaO9O5O8

wat could happen if u dont qive ur yorkie heart worm preventativee ... ??

It would die from heart worms.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

I have always used Interceptor all my life on any babies that I have ever owned. However, if I don't give my kiddos their Heartworm Preventative this month (which I DO plan to - hubby is going to go and pick it up for me this week), it will be the 3rd month that they've gone without it

Can I just ask though - what is "BAD" about giving a heartworm preventative? I'm honestly clueless...

Also, to those who only give a heartworm preventative during the warmer months, how do you do this? I mean, once you start giving the heartworm preventative to them and then you stop for so long (for so many months), don't you have to have them tested for Heartworms to be sure that they don't have them before you start them back on the preventative again? I have always heard that this was necessary after they had been off the preventative as if they WERE to have Heartworms when you started them back on the preventative, it could kill them.

My dogs go in for their yearly check up in the early spring. HW testing is just part of it. I start them on the meds shortly after that.

Idk for sure, but there seems to be a lot of different information out there. Like overvaccinating, flea meds, etc., some think we may be poisoning our dogs or causing other problems...There is a natural food store near here and the owner is dead set against it.

[Gingergirlsmom]

Originally Posted by cpuff35

With any medication you have the potential risk of side effects. So far I have not had any issues but would like to limit the medication given especially if it's not needed during winter in NYC/NJ area. For folks living in Florida or other areas that is warm all year round, I would think heartworm meds are needed through out th eyear. According to Wikipedia -

Heartworms go through several life stages before they become adults infecting the heart of the host animal. The worms require the mosquito as an intermediate stage in order to complete their life cycle. Development in the mosquito is temperature dependent, requiring approximately two weeks of temperature at or above 27 °C (80 °F). Below a threshold temperature of 14 °C (57 °F), development cannot occur, and the cycle will be halted.[8] As a result, transmission is limited to warm months, and duration of the transmission season varies geographically. The period between the initial infection when the dog is bitten by a mosquito and the maturation of the worms into adults living in the heart takes 6 to 7 months in dogs and is known as the "prepatent period".

I did have Cassi/Ori tested for heartworm before resuming their heartworm meds. I usually have the test done in the beginning of April b/c that's when I start taking them out again for warlks. Once I have confirmation from the vet that the test is negative for heartworm I start giving their meds again. Also my vet won't refill a heartworm prescription unless they have a negative heartworm test.

Thanks for the information!!!!

[cpuff35]

Originally Posted by Gingergirlsmom

Thanks for the information!!!!

No prob...anytime!

[Gingergirlsmom]

I see several have selected NO but not many have posted. Just curious to what went into their decision.