do you need a prescription from the vet to get heartgard for a puppy?

Question

i have a pug and i want to start giving him heartgard for worms and stuff but i dont want to take him to the vet. they are really expensive and its just a question. i want to buy it from 1800petmeds but what do you say?

Answer 1

Yes, you have to have a prescription. I think that places like that will verify with your vet that it's okay to give it.

Plus, you need to be sure about the weight of your dog for dosing.

Answer 2

Yes you do have to have a prescription, and any online pet med site will require a written prescription, including 1800petmeds. There are reasons for this--first, you need to have your dog checked to make sure that he does not have heartworms before you start him on the medicine. Heartguard does not cure heartworms, it prevents them. If the dog already has heartworms, he needs to be treated, and the only way you're going to know that is to have a blood test run by your vet. Heartguard guarantees their product--if your dog gets heartworms while on Heartguard, they will cover the cost of treatment, but you have to be able to prove that the dog did not have them before starting on the medicine, so you have to have him checked.

Contrary to what has been posted earlier, it will not hurt your dog to give him Heartguard if he has heartworms--it will prevent new infestation, but will not kill the ones that are already there and they will continue to grow and cause harm. When heartworm medicine first came out, the medication at that time would cause the dog to get sick or even die if you gave it to a dog with heartworms, but not the Heartguard that is currently being sold. Ask your vet, he'll reassure you on this. Also, it is imperative that you continue treatment all year long. Heartguard will not honor their guarantee if you don't, and think about it for a minute--heartworms are spread by mosquito bites, and it only takes one. By the time the weather warms up and you start to see mosquitos, your dog may have already been bit and infected.

It is also not true that once you have your dog tested you don't have to do it again. Depending on the vet, you will need to have the dog retested every year or every 2 years, most have gone to every 2 years--because no medication is 100% effective, and they retest to make sure your dog has not become infested with heartworms while on the Heartguard. But as I've already mentioned, if he does, Heartguard will pay for the treatment as long as you've been giving the medication every month as prescribed.

Boy, there has been some really bad advice given here. Be careful.

Don't buy Heartguard from any place that does not require a prescription--it is not legitimate, and the product you are buying is fake. There is big business right now with people packaging false medications to look just like the real thing, both for humans and animals. 80% of medications that are bought over the internet and come from outside the US are fake. Take care.

Answer 3

Only problem with not going to the vet is you need blood tests to make sure your baby doesn't already have heartworm because if you give him medicine and he has heartworm, it can kill him.

Vets can be expensive but if you love your baby (and I know you do), you will come up with the money for the tests. Once you get him tested, if you keep him on the heartgard all the time, you don't have to have him tested again.

At least make the initial visit and make sure he doesn't have any health issues before going on your own and check with the vet to see which product is the best for your dog. Some products don't give as good a protection as others so you could be throwing money away on a product that won't really protect your dog from everything like other products will (which will cost more but the protection is worth it).

We use Revolution on our two dogs which we buy from the vet's office and we can call and go in and pick it up anytime we are over that way.

Answer 4

You didn't mention how old your dog is. Age makes a difference. Pups 6 months and under do not need to be tested. Prescriptions vary from state to state. In my state you need a Rx. For good reason. Giving an infected dog a heart worm pill can cause death by the worms being killed or disrupted and lodging in the bloodstream, heart, lungs or wherever and causing death. Besides the heart worm pill is not a cure for the disease. Heart worm disease is very prevalent and should be treated. It really is a smart idea to have your dog tested first then give the heart worm pills yearly if you don't want to test every year. Some vets recommend to test every other year if your pet takes the heart worm pill yearly. I don't personally recommend the year round heartquard. Heartworm pills are very hard on your dog's liver, so giving your pet a break over the winter can be benaficial. Holostic vets offer a variety of alternatives that work and that are less expensive. Black walnut oil is one. Please don't attempt these alternatives without first seeking veterinarian expertise. Google to find a holostic vet most large cities have several listed. You should take the dog to the vet for vaccines if you are not doing those yourself. Most vets will by-pass the examination fee if vaccines are included. So instead of paying for an office call with the HW test you can get the vaccines and pay for the HW test. You will be money ahead. I do recommend vaccines at least to give your pup immunity for the first couple of years then I stop. Parvo is so contagious and so deadly that if are like most people and want to socialize your pup at the park, definately get the vaccines too. The length of years that you give vaccines depends on your dog's exposures. Whatever you choose be upfront and ask the vet before you get started for the test and then for an Rx so you can save money with 1800 petmeds. Even ask your vet to show you how to give the vax yourself. Some vets will and some will not. Good luck.

Answer 5

You have to have a prescription before you can get anything from 1800petmeds. Vets can be expensive but it is worth the cost to have a healthy pet (family member). Call around to find one you can afford. Your pug will probably have to have a blood test to make sure he doesn't already have heart worms because if he does, the meds can harm him.

Answer 6

I think it always wise to get advise from a vet before giving an animal any medication. You wouldn't do that to yourself, would you? What if it gives side affects to your pug, than you still need to go. The vet knows the right brand to choose for your dog.

Answer 7

Yes, Never give medicine to an animal that has not been properly tested. Your pup needs a blood test to determine if he has heart worms and if you don't test him before you give the meds and he has them he can get very sick and possible die! Be careful with using 1800petmeds they sometimes use out dated meds. To prevent fleas and ticks you can give your pup a capful of white distilled vinegar in his water daily and feed him a clove of garlic daily for the ticks. I have done this for years with my dogs and it really works. I know vets can be very expensive . You might want to check into health insurance for your pup to help with the costs.

Answer 8

Yes your dog must be tested for heart worms first . You Don't want to take him to the vet? I don't understand this how can your dog get proper care if he's not allowed to be seen by a trained vet?

Answer 9

Hi,

As the owner of a Maltese and Australian Heeler, I can assure you no prescription is necessary for Heartguard. It is important to note, however, that he/she should be tested for heartworm and be up to date on all shots. Also really try to stick to the every 30 day ritual, use the little stickers on the box as a reference guide. I know first hand vets are expensive, but a way to help with the costs is VPI Insurance. It is like having benefits for the dog! I have it, and although you have to pay in full up front at the vet, they simply sign a piece of paper, I mail it in and I'm reimbursed about 40% of the charges! You can go to www.mypetinsurance.com for more information. When the dogs are healthy the premium seems like a waste of money, but I lost my Maltese to congestive heart failure 9 months ago and trust me the benefits came in handy to help pay for his care. and medicine!!!! Hope this helps!

Answer 10

Yes you need a RX and a blood test to check that the dog doesn't already have heart worm.