Question about heartworm medication We are getting ready to travel to Kansas City with 4 of our furkids. After the meetup we will be heading to Texas for a couple of days then on to Phoenix, then home. Today I had Sunshine in to the vet for a re-check of her eye. While I was there I mentioned our trip and she said I should bring them all in and get them on heartworm medication since we will be going to Texas. We don't have a heartworm problem here where I live so there has never been a need for them to be on medication. I don't want to endanger my dogs, but is it really neccesary for them to go on heartworm medication for a 2 day trip? If so, what kind should they get? I have heard so many pros and cons and do not want to end up with sick dogs from the medication while travelling. Any input? Thanks |
I wouldn't risk it, my vet said it only takes one bite to infect a dog. My puppy is only 2.1lbs and he never threw up from his heart worm prevention. |
I live in Texas and I would recommend the shot. Texas has mosquito's and in some places lots of em; which is how the heart worm is transmitted. I had a dog about 20 years ago die of heart worms and it is not a nice thing. He had it twice, the first time he had surgery which is horrendously hard on them and I guess it was not quite successful. Even after having him on the heart worm meds he got it again. It is better to be safe than sorry. All of my dogs from that point on have been on heart worm meds. |
All of mine are on Heartguard Plus and have never had any problems. I would just give them what your vet suggests. You can probably buy 3 single doses since you don't need it normally. Onni, what is the shot? |
I would not go without it. I'm not sure when you're leaving but you can give it about 25 days before you leave so if they get sick it will be at home. If these were big dogs I'd recommend Heartgard because of the low reaction rate but some Yorkies do better with Interceptor. Either one is fine though. There is no need to use Heartgard Plus (unless you want to) because there is an extra ingredient in it for intestinal parasites which your dogs don't need and it's another chemical for their bodies to deal with... |
Sunnie, you need the heartworm medicine. The vet will have to do a blood test before he puts them on medicine. if you start the medicine without testing and the dog happens to have heartworm, there is a big chance that the medicine will kill your dog. |
Heartworms Mia is on Revolution, which takes care of heart worms, fleas, ticks, ear mites, all in one.... You apply it just like you do your flea meds.. She has never got sick and I highly reccommend it. You never know when mosquitoes may bite them. Hope this helps.:aimeeyork :animal-pa |
Thanks.. I need to take Sunshine back for one more eye check before we go. All have tested heartworm negative, except for Beamer... who for some reason when they did his last bloodwork, they didn't do a heartworm check. So he will have a blood test first too. They rarely have a case of heartworm here so we have never had to worry about it. The vet did mention Revolution.... we don't have a flea problem here either so they haven't had to be on any medications. Is Revolution the one where they take a pill once a month? She said they could just take one dose and that would be good for the trip. What kind of heartworm medication is the doseage based on their weight? |
My girls take Heartguard Plus for under 25 pounds and have never had a problem in any respect, thank goodness. For fleas and ticks we use Frontline. It is also based on size, and you just squirt it between the shoulder blades and it protects them for a month. We haven't had a problem with that either. I recommend, according to my Vet, that you do not give them both medications at the same day - try to space them out a little bit. Have fun on your trip! :) |
My yorkie is on Heartgard Plus and we haven't had any problems. I agree, always better to be safe. He looks forward to taking it because it is chewable and tastes like a treat to them. He is on the 25 lbs and under dosage and you give them the entire dosage because (I was told by my vet) the medication is all mixed up in the tablet and may not be evenly dispersed throughout it. Happy Traveling!!!:animal36 |
I would get the Medicine. Mine have never gotten sick from it or had reactions |
I haven't had any problems with either Heartguard or Revolution. A.J takes Heartguard; it comes in a chewable tablet which he eats without any problems. It's made for dogs up to 25 pounds. KaCee is on Revolution. There are several weight ranges to choose from, but KaCee's dose is for dogs and cats up to 5 pounds. It's a liquid that you put between their shoulder blades. |
Gosh, I would keep them on it no matter where you live. All it takes is for one heartworm positive dog or cat to come into your neighborhood and transmit the disease to your pets through a pesky mesquito. If everyone had their pets on heartworm medication it would eventually go away. We don't have it here, but Ranger is on Interceptor which also controls other worms. I have never had a problem with him on the medication and he has a really sensitive tummy. Good luck! |
Thanks everyone. Good input. We will definitely get them on something before we leave |
I live in TX and heartworms are definitely common around here. Our little dogs that live inside are at much less of a risk of course, but mosquitos can fly inside your house, and the dogs can get bit when they go out to potty too. I have always used Heartgard Plus (the meaty chewables). I've heard good things about Sentinel though too. I don't trust Revolution personally and have heard of plenty of dogs getting heartworms while being on it. |
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