Flea & Heartworm???
 

hello all, I have been giving my 3yr Yorkie on a monthly basis the liquid that goes between the shoulder blades to prevent fleas and heartworms.

1) do I really need to give him this every month when he doesn't get walked outside. He is wee wee pad trained.

Please advise.

Yes. We use Revolution which is a brand of drops that you put between the shoulder blades. We do it even during the winter months, because it protects against more than just heartworms. And even though it's very unlikely, it's still possible to contract heartworms during the winter.

I would consult your vet about whether it's necessary. Several vets in my city have noted that it's not necessary here and that you'd want to give this medication if travelling to places that are more prone to heartworm exposure.

As for the fact that your Yorkie doesn't get walked outside, does he ever go out? In the backyard etc? Or is he completely an indoor dog?

He's a completely indoor dog except when we travel to Florida. I live in NYC

From http://princetonvet.net/can-skip-hea...icine-winter/:

Can I Skip Heartworm Medicine in the Winter?

We strongly encourage all pet owners to continue giving heartworm prevention medicines to their dogs and cats all year long. We do see dogs and cats with heartworm disease in our practice every year. These incidence maps from the American Heartworm Society show that we are in an area with a high number of cases of heartworm disease.

If you give your dog her dose of heartworm prevention on October 1, and she gets bitten by a mosquito on October 10, but you don’t plan to give her another dose of heartworm prevention until April 1, she could very easily get sick with heartworm disease over the winter.

Most heartworm prevention medicines don’t just protect your dog (or cat) from heartworms. Some are also flea and tick prevention, and many protect against other intestinal parasites. Depending on the weather, these bugs and worms can be around in the environment all year long. Keeping up your dog’s protection against intestinal parasites (worms) is an important part of keeping him healthy.

Remember, heartworm prevention is not only for dogs and cats who spend time outside. Mosquitoes can fit through screens or get in through open doors. When the weather turns cold, they are looking for ways to get warm! Make sure that your inside pets are protected, too.

Here's another article from PetMD recommending year-round heartworm prevention as well: https://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvet...n_winter-11867

"I generally recommend that owners give heartworm prevention 12 months a year, and here’s why:

In many parts of the country, mosquitoes remain active year-round. Unless you live in an extremely cold and/or dry region, your dog or cat may be bitten during any month of the year. Travel can also complicate the situation. When I lived in western Wyoming, many of my clients did not give heartworm prevention during the winter, which was defensible in that extreme client. But, a lot of folks also liked to escape the frigid winter temperatures or the slop of spring and would forget to protect their pets when they traveled.

Keep in mind also that most preventatives do more than protect against heartworms. Some prevent flea and tick infestations, mange, lice, or intestinal worms, and stopping will leave your pet open to these problems during the winter months. This is especially important if your pet has contact with other animals in boarding facilities, doggy day care centers, at the groomers, etc."

Heart worm medicine is extremely important whether they go outside or not because it is transmitted by mosquitoes which do get in your house.

Heart worms are much more prevalent in the US and it’s transmitted by mosquitoes so it dosen’t matter if the dog is an indoor dog or not mosquitoes get in your house.

Also, the OP is in New York City. As cold as it *may* seem, there are many places in NYC where mosquitos can breed year round, and the pet and human population density is quite high. As bad as the heartworm situation is in the boonies of central Illinois, I'd be equally concerned living in a big city like NYC.

:thumbup::thumbup: After really learning about heart worms in class I will give it year round and never not give it. I'm allergic to mosquitoes and don't spend much time outside in the warm months but still get bit a lot.

I am referring to MY own experience. I've had pets my entire life and I've NEVER used heartworm/flee preventive (in pill form). My cat will be 19 years old this year (September) and up until last year she's been an indoor and outdoor cat. I get her heartworm tested every 2-3 years ($25) and she's never had a single heart worm or crazy flee/tick problem. My Yorkies are house doggies unless I take them where I go. I use natural preventives and it works great. To each their own. :)

I absolutely would not recommend this especially in Texas let alone really any US state. Just because they are indoors doesn't mean the can get heart worms and it can be deadly if they get it. Even with treatment which can kill them they can be left with serious heart issues. It is just better to treat with a monthly pill or chew then when they get heart worms and eventually it will happen and it will be devastating. That is if your vet can get the meds. for treatment also which can sometimes be on back order and hard to get. Just not safe.

I can understand how some people may not want to give heartworm meds - but it really IS like playing Russian Roulette - with your dog! And let me give you some real life examples.

I live in Phoenix, AZ -- we don't have an especially outrageous incidence or prevalence - nonetheless -- I've always treated for heartworm EVERY SINGLE MONTH here in AZ.

I work in rescue a lot here, and pick up a lot of strays and it's just mind boggling - in this rather low-ish area of incidence/prevalence -just how many strays/rescues I've been involved with who are positive for heartworm. It is FOR SURE out there, folks. No doubt about it.

Thanks for all your feedback. Will get him back on it.

Again, this is MY personal experience and you will NOT change my mind. Do as you please with your animals and I'll do the same. I have absolutely NO energy nor time to go back and forth with you. This will be my last response to you.

Take care!!