Question
 

Hi,

I was wondering if I had to give my Yorkie some kind of heartworm preventative? I don't think she has any worms.. I heard you can tell from their stools, but I don't see any and she is rarely outside.. only goes outside to potty. Should I be giving her some kind of heartworm preventative thing just to make sure.. or is it unnecessary?

I read from YT that Frontline was a good flea/tick remover, should I give that to her too? She doesn't have any fleas, but isn't that for just preventing fleas? Sorry, I am a little confused on these areas, so if anyone knows that would be great, thanks!!

Heartworms are caused my mosquitos, so I would say if you have mosquitos in your area then, yes, you need heartworm preventative. Depending upon the age of your dog (puppies have some immunity from moms) she may need to be tested first, before preventative is given. At least, this is my understanding of the subject, anyone else?:)

Heartworm can be a fatal disease that is transmitted by misquitos. Your vet will tell you if your dog needs to be on it. in some areas there are no misquitos so dogs don't need to be on a heartworm protector, but in most areas they need to be on something like interceptor or Heartguard.

Worms that can be found in the stool are not related to heart worms. Its true that some heartworm preventors have extra meds in it to protect against round worms, hook worms, and whip worms, but not all heartworm meds have this. that's why i recommend interceptor and heartguard. the worms that are found in the stool are transmitted by parasites that dogs pick up outside from another infected dogs poop. all they have to do is step in it and lick their foot or eat the poop and they can get infected.

Fleas and ticks are protected against by a different medication. I recommend Frontline plus. Its excellent and i've never had a problem with it. however some people say it doesn't work in their area and they use advantix instead. Its used for preventing fleas and ticks, basically it kills them when they bite the dog. Dogs should be on flea prevention during the spring to fall months. in my area that's from april-november.

Yes, you always want heartworm preventative for your pets. Heartworms is in the heart so you would not be able to see any worms in the stool or be able to tell unless your vet tests your dog for it. I don't know the rules there, but here you have to have your dog tested for heartworm before you get the preventative. Heartworm is caught by mosquitos, so regardless of whether or not your dog is an inside dog that never goes outside or your dog lives outside, either one can get it. It is very very important to keep your dog on heartworm preventative!!

Flea preventative is also great to have. It is much much easier to prevent your dog from getting fleas and ticks then it is to get rid of the fleas and ticks once your dog has them. Frontline will kill and prevent against fleas and ticks.:animal-pa

I asked my vet about just treating with heartworm meds during the mosquito season and her reply was that with the warm winters we have had, mosquitos are still alive even during the winter, so dogs should be treated year round. I use Sentinel because it also has the other worm protection in it and guards against fleas as well. The only downside is no tick protection. Ticks are not prevelent in my area and I don't like the smell of the topical stuff.

My pups get Heartgard year 'round. It's cheap enough for the small dog dose, so why not? WI normally has really cold winters, but they seem to be starting later and later in the year so mosquito season seems to be getting longer too. IMO, better safe than sorry!

As far as flea/tick preventative... I don't use any. I'm in the middle of city and my pups rarely play outside. Ticks aren't an issue for us unless you're near a wooded area (which I'm not) and if they pick up a flea or two I'm sure I'll see it before I have some horrible outbreak.

I just went to the vet and asked about heartworms and he said I don't need any cuz we don't have any really in this area of Washington... so yay! :)

You dont have mosquitoes I thought everywhere have mosquitoes.

No.. he said something about how the mosquitos here don't live long enough or something to give dogs heartworms... he said no dogs here in this area have it, unless they are from another state..

Huh well that is interesting and I have never heard of it before

yup she's right, not every area has a heartworm problem. lucky them!

I was wondering if your Redmond is in WA. I am in Bellevue, WA. Howdy neighbor! I will be interested to hear what my vet has to say about the issue when I take Gracie in for the first time in a month or so. We ought to plan on a puppy play date sometime!

Do you really know what heartworms can do to a heart ?
Look at this .

We just got Rocky's heartwarm meds. He's now clear of them, but for only $4/mo...it's definitly worth it.

Oh, haha yes it's in WA! :) YES for sure, Princess could use more friends other than her birth parents.. lol:p But yeah, tell me if your Vet says the same thing about heartworms because my vet in Woodinville says dogs here don't have it...