![]() |
One Year Checkup, Heartworm Testing? I just got a reminder card from my vet in the mail a few days ago saying that Bentley and Emma are due for their parvo, distemper, fecal testing, deworming and a heartworm test. Everything seems pretty standard, I was just wondering about the heart worm test. My babies are on HW preventatives all year round, so is this test really necessary? I'd love some input here :) Thanks a bunch! |
Depends on the vet.:) Most say don't test if they are on it year-round. Ellie's vet says yes because they can spit it out without you looking. It is also a good idea because a preventative is probably never 100% reliable. Plenty of people will tell you to skip it though. |
Yes - vets actually are not supposed to sell you Heartworm meds without a negative heartworm test each year....although you'll find some that do. Giving heartworm preventative to a heartworm positive dog can be fatal. Also, nothing is 100% effective so there is always a slim chance that a dog can get heartworms, even with being on preventative. Some heartworm preventative companies have guarantees as well - I know Heartguard's policy is that as long as you keep your pet on heartguard every month and have a yearly heartworm test, if your dog gets heartworms they'll pay for the treatment |
I wonder about this all the time. My one vet says no it is not required if you keep them on a heartworm preventative all year round. But my other vet says yes you should have them tested every year even if they are getting heartworm medicine year round. I am really confused on what to do. Peppi has been on heartworm medicine her whole life, 9 years. I test her every year and every year the test comes back negative. So I am wondering if I am wasting my money? The heartworm medicine must be doing a good enough job to keep her free from them for 9 years. I could see if they lived outside or stayed outside for long periods of time but they don't. |
Thanks guys -- I guess we will go ahead and have it done. I know for sure they swallow their pills, but I guess it is true nothing is 100% effective. I've seen some people saying their vets agree to do it every other year if they are on HW meds all year long, so I guess I'll ask them what they think about it! |
Quote:
Fecal testing and deworming?? I thought this was only when they are puppies/when you first get them? |
I'm not sure on the deworming, but I know my vet likes to do fecals every year to make sure everything is checking out alright :) |
Ellie's vet does fecals twice a year (not for Ellie though because that is a bit much). It is very important to do this just in case your dog does have worms. You do not need to deworm if the sample is negative. |
My Vet does the heartworm test once a year also |
Quote:
|
Hi, sorry not meaning to hijack your thread but rather than start a whole new one, when should a puppy start taking heartworm preventatives? Zoë is almost 5 months old and I dont have her full records yet from the breeder but I don't think she's been on any yet. Should I be giving her something? The vet didn't mention it during our appointment. Thanks! D- |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Thanks Ellie May (again! LOL)! D- |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:21 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use