The vet told me that since he was tested and on heartworm medication, he wouldn't have to be tested again. Then, I took in an unwanted pup that was on heartworm medication and had been but the new vet I took him to said that he still had to be tested. I asked why, since he was on preventative from the very beginning, and that another vet had told me that as long as they were on preventative medications, they wouldn't have to be tested, and if they were given pills to prevent heartworm and they did have it, it could kill them. Mine are both healthy. Why would the new vet insist on testing them again?
2007-01-30 10:30:38 · 11 answers · asked by lucy7 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I agree with cs and fregeau1. Our vets recommend yearly testing. What if you let your dog out 15 minutes after you gave a heartworm pill, you were distracted by the phone ringing, your baby crying, anything, and your dog went into the corner of your yard and vomited? Your dog would not be protected, and you'd never know it happened. Because everyday life happens and it's possible for a dog to not be protected against heartworm by one small distraction, it's important to test once a year even if they are on preventative year round. Also, no heartworm medication is guaranteed to be 100% effective, which is another reason to test yearly.
I live in the Midwest and have always had my dogs tested in the spring, started the preventative then, and have given my last heartworm pill in December. I'm not a huge fan of giving meds when not needed. I have followed this schedule for over 30 years and have not had a dog come up heartworm positive. Depending on the climate in which you live, especially if it's warm, year-round prevention may be your only option. The fact that the heartworm meds also help to prevent intestinal parasites is also another reason people are encouraged to use it year round. I have stool samples tested on my dogs at least once a year, too.
2007-01-31 03:01:55 · answer #1 · answered by GSDoxie3 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because that is the right thing to do. Ever dog should be tested yearly, regardless of if they are on meds. Not only does this prevent a problem, there is still a small chance a dog on preventative can get heartworm, but it also protects you financially. Most of the major medications have a guaruntee that if your pet contracts heartworm while on preventative, the company will pay for treatment, which is very expensive. But you have to be able to prove you've purchased preventative and yearly testing.
2007-01-30 10:40:00 · answer #2 · answered by cs 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you can prove that the dog has been on heartworm prevention, then you shouldn't have to have it retested.
And anyone who has their dogs on prevention 12 months out of year, shouldn't have to retest every year.
Retesting is for those who only keep their dogs in the months where mosquitoes are most likely to be abundant, which it's a very wrong thing to do. Every dog should be kept on the prevention year round, no matter if it never gets to go outside.
The GSD that tested positive although being on the prevention for three years, was positive before it started the prevention. The prevention only kills the microfilias in the blood stream, and not the adult Worms already in the heart.
85% of the dogs put thru the treatment, will not survive it, the other 15% who do, will have permanent damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys from filtering the poison given to kill the heartworms.
2007-01-30 12:04:14 · answer #3 · answered by amccoy1962 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Alright. I work at a vet. The rules change from vet to vet. Our clinic requires it once a year, but if they are on year round prevention, you can go every two years. It is still highly recommended as none of the prevention is bullet proof. We live in Illinios, near Chicago, and we had three cases of heartworm in December. Heartworm is deadly. Onless caught amazingly early, the chances of recovery are slim. One of the cases we had was a german shepard. She had been on Prevention for three years straight. We tested her and she still had heartworms, and a high dose at that. I would highly recommend getting your dog tested yearly. I do, and all of my coworkers do. Even if they're not a dog thats outdoors a lot, it only takes one bite. Don't mess around with heartworm.
2007-01-30 10:41:50 · answer #4 · answered by fregeau1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
particular, heartworm preventative is unquestionably mandatory. as a rely of certainty, i'm shocked that the look after did no longer have your dogs on something. they should even have already carried out a heartworm attempt to make sure your dogs is destructive. Mosquitoes can come out at any time in the process the 300 and sixty 5 days. I stay in northern Illinois, and we had a heat spell in February that bred mosquitoes like loopy! do no longer take possibilities which includes your canines wellness-that is greater effectual to be on the area of warning. I lost a dogs to heartworm-she died from her therapy of degree 2 heartworm ailment at a million a million/2 years of age, and that i will in no way recover from it. I had her on a preventative, yet she develop right into a Katrina dogs and already had heartworm ailment as quickly as I have been given her. Your vet could have the skill to represent you on what you will might desire to do to guard your dogs.
2016-11-01 22:14:54 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, your new vet shouldn't insist on retesting them. Just ask for the lab results from your old vet to take to your new vet. My vet insists on checking every year before starting heartworm meds.
It is not mandatory that you your dog be tested before given heartworm meds, but you must sign a waiver.
2007-01-30 10:43:01 · answer #6 · answered by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my vet insists on checking every year. I guess it's still possible to get the heart worms even while on treatment though it's much more unlikely. Plus there's always human error (have you ever been a few days late in giving the monthly dose). Different vets will have different opinons.
2007-01-30 10:35:14 · answer #7 · answered by timesdragonfly 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
remember heartworm is caused only by infected mosquito,, i am presuming your dachshund lives inside,,, and i also assume that if he soes go outside for short periods of time he is being treated with Frontline or advantix for fleas, ticks, and Mosquitos,,, i would rather not drug the dog needlessly....... vets like to prescribe drugs it is what they do best,,,,,,
2007-01-30 10:35:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is called cover your a**. If the dog got them it can be proved how far along they are pinpointing when he got the worms.
2007-01-30 10:39:30 · answer #9 · answered by Dotr 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My dog gets tested every year.. even though hes on heartguard.. its routien..
2007-01-30 10:38:04 · answer #10 · answered by darchangel_3 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋