We have a dog, she's been heartworm tested and on the preventative medicine Heartguard since she was a really young puppy. Recently she had a litter of two and I was wondering whether we should take the pups to be tested even though they have never been outside (3 weeks old now) or just start them on the appropriate dose of medicine at 8 weeks old?
I know I should call my vet to ask, and I intend to - but it's been bugging me all weekend and I keep forgetting to call during office hours.
2007-09-09 22:50:30 · 7 answers · asked by Happy Rat 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
No, It takes 6 full months for heartworms to even develope to maturity to even be detected in the test. There is no way the pups have heartworms at this age. The soonest they could be tested would be 6 months of age and better yet would be at 8 to 10 months for the first time.
READ this article. http://www.mypetcarnivore.com/heartworm.htm
You need to think about this a little more before you just start putting chemicals into dogs for their entire lives. At least get a clue how heartworm works and what has to happen before a dog can even get it. It is NOT the scary end of the world as vets have you believe.
2007-09-09 22:55:20 · answer #1 · answered by Freedom 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Until their first vaccine shots after 6 weeks, Parvo is the hugest threat to those young pups right now if you are taking them outside already into public areas. That is the first and most important thing you need to worry about. After their first set of vaccines (usually 3 during their first 6 months), your vet will tell you when to administer the heartworm prevention.
Please don't forget to call your vet as soon as you can to schedule their first vaccinations. Keep them INSIDE and away from public places until then. Good luck.
2007-09-09 23:26:22 · answer #2 · answered by HBLeggs 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Puppies can't be tested for heartworms under the age of 6 months. If done before this even if they have it it will not show up. It takes 6 months for microfilia to show up.
****do NOT give vaccinations under 8 weeks of age...it will interfer with natural immunity, suppress immune system, could cause future problems with vaccinations and can make the puppy more suseptable to the very illness the vaccine is suppose to prevent. This is recommendation from AAHA/AVMA and all 27 vet schools*****
2007-09-10 00:06:50 · answer #3 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No puppy under 6mo ever needs tested. You just start giving them the medication. Some vets don't test any dog under a year, but rather just give them the medication. The larve in a young dog would be so small that killing them with the medication wouldn't be harmful. In older dogs you test just incase they have "full grown" worms. The medication will kill the worms, but it is hard to pass them and can cause a heart attack. That isn't an issue in young dogs.
2007-09-09 23:58:20 · answer #4 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Were her results negative or positive?
Start them on heartworm prevention as soon as the vet says they can start.
2007-09-10 01:20:23 · answer #5 · answered by Akatsuki 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consult with directories for 24-hour emergency care if puppies are showing signs. Otherwise, you can wait until your regular Vet is available for treatment. ALL puppies are likely to be born with heart worms. Definitely have them tested and medicated right away.
God Bless their little souls!
2007-09-09 22:58:29 · answer #6 · answered by RozPot 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋
yep i would get them seen to as the mother will be feeding them to get some advise a soon as posiby
2007-09-09 22:54:39 · answer #7 · answered by chelsea s 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋