I remember years ago, we only gave the medication in the warm months and when we had the first freeze, we didn't give it because the source of infection (mosquitos) was gone for the winter. Isn't this just hype by veterinarians to make more money from us unsuspecting loving pet owners? I think it is just a guilt trip to make us spend more money!
2006-12-07 07:25:58 · 12 answers · asked by jbarnicoatmsw 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Yes, year round is best.
2006-12-07 07:27:43 · answer #1 · answered by Texan 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
LOL . .. I understand how you could think so, but it really truly isn't hype. Our knowledge of how heartworm works has changed. Also, the number of mosquitos carrying heartworm disease has risen over the past decades, as has the incidence of disease as you move westerly (if you are in the U.S., you'll know that it hasn't been prevalent in western states until recent years...) NOTE: We are seeing it now occasionally in CATS, although the chance of it killing the cat is considerably less than in a dog.
As a tech, I find that the number of vets recommending year-round protection is on the rise. One reason is that many climates, while having a cool phase, really are not cool enough to kill off all mosquitos. Another is that because of the above factors, your dog is more likely to be exposed to an infected mosquito. Finally, people travel with their dogs more than they used to, not thinking about the fact that taking doggie to the lake, on vacation, or the next state, where there may be mosquitos, is an issue.
You are correct that there must be an infected mosquito for there to be heartworm. But the chances for a dog getting it have risen. Also, and please hear me on this. . . treatment for heartworm infestation in the dog is expensive, long-term, and worst of all, very hard on the dog both physically and emotionally! It is far more expensive than the medicine! Don't ever be the cause of your dog's going through that. Also, it is very true that dogs can and do die of it.
If you are still hesitant, and don't trust your vet's motives, I respect that. I would suggest you call another vet for advice - they won't mind telling you what their own policy is and why. That might help.
Good luck!
PS I live in an area in Colorado where there is snow, and mosquitos even in summer are few. It gets cold enough to kill them. However I travel to visit relatives to the western plains of the state, which is near-desert. Although the temps get down a few days in winter, the mosquito population doesn't all die out. If I were taking my dogs there at Christmas, they would be on HW meds. At the least, they get meds every month but Dec, Jan, and Feb. They are indoors or outdoors with me, never out alone running. So I know where the mosquitos are.
2006-12-07 07:46:36 · answer #2 · answered by Mac 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well you've gotten some good advice. It doesn't get cold enough, especially if you live in the south, to kill the mosquitos anymore. And yes, they need to be on heartworm prevention year-round. They may be making more money, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. What you don't want to do is skip their Heartguard and then begin giving it to them again if they have contracted heartworms. This can kill them, I hear. I'm not a vet, maybe a vet or vet student can explain this better. I wish you well.
2006-12-07 07:36:43 · answer #3 · answered by wamadeus1971 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the vet did the heartworm try, then s/he could have reported this to you and prescribed the heartworm preventative to start on -- it would acquire three hundred and sixty 5 days around in a lot of areas -- there are some areas up north that have particular cases of three hundred and sixty 5 days that this is stopped yet your veterinarian might could inform you those cases as there is style of a stagger era that they might desire to get it. you do not quit it after a three hundred and sixty 5 days, you often have them rechecked and then persisted on the meds in the event that they're nonetheless detrimental. often they are going to be detrimental yet some people do not understand that they ignore it some days and then the filaria are there and voile, heartworms, so it fairly is needed proceed the drugs for the era the veterinarian tells you. additionally while you're making plans to shuttle with the canine into areas that is three hundred and sixty 5 days around preventative places (definately interior the souther US!) then you certainly will might desire to proceed whilst the canine is in that section and a quick whilst afterwards -- lower back, the vet could be waiting to permit you recognize precisely. BTW, the therapy if the canine gets heartworms is extremely high priced and intensely risky for the canine so it fairly is plenty extra suitable to apply the preventative than take opportunities.
2016-12-11 04:16:52 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES!! they need the heart worm medicine YEAR round. the medicine works not only for heartworms but for roundworms and hookworms and depending on the kind that you have whipworms. what if an infected mosquito bit your dog right before the next scheduled pill and you did not give her the pill she could get heartworms
2006-12-07 07:31:40 · answer #5 · answered by Pamela P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my area all of the veterinarians recommend year round use. It is my opinion that it is easier to purchase the few extra pills that you need for the year round treatment than to run the risk of your dog being infected.
2006-12-07 11:20:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They say it no longer gets cold enough in winter long enough to freeze all these pests, including mosquitoes and fleas. Love that Global Warming.
2006-12-07 07:28:51 · answer #7 · answered by Sheila 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes you deffinately should give this medication to her once a month all year round....don't take the risk of not doing so you'll be sorry!!!
however, it's ok to stop the tick and flea stuff in the winter but make sure you continue to use it again in the spring when it first gets warm!
2006-12-07 07:45:24 · answer #8 · answered by *michelle* 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. The cost to give the heartworm medicine is MUCH less than the cost of treating a dog that has been infected with heartworms.
Better safe than sorry....Heartworms can kill!
2006-12-07 07:40:47 · answer #9 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes even in the winter as there are alot of animals that come out and look for food and you have no idae what they have. We get possums, raccoons, deer, and foxes in out yard and becuase of that the dog has to stay heart worm as you don't know what these animals have or don't have.
2006-12-07 07:35:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It really depends on where you live. If you live in the south, then yes definitely. I know several people up north who still keep them on heartworm pills all year long. it is cheaper and safer for your pet to be on the heartworm pills year long.
2006-12-07 07:33:43 · answer #11 · answered by akcrottie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋