Winter Flea/Heartworm Control
 

I live in New York so as you know it is now winter here. I was just wondering, do any of you still use Frontline or other flea drops in the winter? How about heartworm prevention? My dog doesn't have fleas but I was wondering if I should start him on the drops now or in the summer to prevent it?

hi, i live in ny tooo, i give lexi heartguard plus every month... what the vet says, i do... i ordered from 1-800 petmeds... great prices... first supply was from the vet

We're in Kansas. We do Heartgard year round, but we only use Frontline during the warmer months. We stop applying Frontline after the first freeze, and start it up when things thaw in the spring. That's what our vet recommended we do. Our dogs don't have much contact with other dogs, and they don't go outside very often. I suppose if they did either of those things, we would probably use flea protection all year long.

I'm not a big fan of putting chemicals and poison in my dogs, especially in the winter in Ohio when you can't find a flea or mosquito. I prefer an all natural repellant sprayed onto the coat. Remember, your Vet is running a business and a large part of that business is to sell products.

I do the heartgard in year round, not the flea med until its warmer.
But even in Ohio, I saw a mosquito on my sliding door (trying to get in) about a month ago, with snow on the ground. So,they are still around.
On another thread a few days ago someone mention that they can pick up germs, and heartworms and everything else off the ground and off of floors like in petstores where other germed dogs have sat. I never thought of that before. So, I suggest the heartgard year round, it's cheap enough to be safe rather than sorry.

I don't use it year round. my Pom has such a thick coat I don't think a mosquito could even find her body and Cali wasn't going out in the fall. I will start them both on it in May.

Toto has her heartworm meds year round like clockwork! The flea meds only in the warmer months .... she is seldom on the ground. ;)

I do not give heartworm medication during the winter. After a mosquito bites an infected dog, it must be above 57 degrees for two weeks for the larva to develop to the stage that causes heartworm. If the temperature drops below 57 degrees the cycle is halted and must start over. The larva must mature in a mosquito for it to be transmitted (a mosquito bite is the only way it is transmitted). So if you see a mosquito during a few warmer days in winter, don't worry, there hasn't been enough time for the stages the larva must go through.

I'm not trying to convince anyone not to give the meds all year long, heartworm disease is very serious. It is up to you and your vet to decide what is best for your dog. I'm just explaining why it is safe if you choose not to in cold weather. I discussed it with my vet, read up on it and have my dogs tested each year. There is a ton of information about this online alone.

If anyone is wondering why I just wouldn't give it all year long, it's because the medication is a toxic chemical - some say one that is completely harmless to dogs, others disagree - one I feel I can safely take my dog off of for almost half his lifetime.

Also, you have to remember to give the medication if you do any travelling with your dog to warmer climates.

I know...enough already. :D

I just have to add to this...Also, you have to remember to give the medication if you do any travelling with your dog to warmer climates.

You give the medication after exposure. It's not a preventive medication, it kills the larva.

Good post Erin....I live in Texas where it's warm ALOT & have to give it year round (HEartguard)....but I didn't know all that....very interesting

Thanks, Villette. Definitely all year in Texas.
I have sisters here that use it all year round - lol (on their dogs). They are not comfortable stopping and I don't try to convince them otherwise. I know, just like me, they are doing what they feel is best.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will have to ask my vet what he thinks is best.

It is wrong to believe that fleas die during winter . Most of the houses are overheated during winter months so the fleas have a chance to reproduce .