Heartguard?

Question

Is it really necessary to give my dog heartguard every month? The vet insists on it but they are always looking for ways to make money. My parents only gave my other dogs heartguard in June and July when it was more likely to occur. Opinions???

Answer 1

Yes and no. Heartgard can be given every 3 months to solely prevent heart worms. However, vets recommend it every month so it can prevent parasites (roundworm, hookworm, tapeworm), as well. The life cycle of a parasite is 28 days, so to make it simple for owners, we say once a month.

Answer 2

Heartworm has now been diagnosed in both dogs and cats in every state in the US. It is a parasite spread by mosquitoes, so it is important that your dogs be on a preventative during any months in your area when the night time temperatures are above freezing.

Heartworm infection is fairly uncommon in patients who see the vet regularly. This is because most veterinarians are successful in educating their clients in the importance of its prevention. If you look up some case reports of dogs who have been treated for heartworm, you might be surprised at how awful the disease is. Even with veterinary care and hospitalization, only 30% of patients diagnosed with advanced heartworm infection survive. It is extremely difficult and dangerous to treat, and the results are often unhappy.

The prevention, Ivermectin tablets once monthly, is 100% effective. If heartworm preventative is administered year round, there is 0% risk for your dog to become infected. For $30 a year I think those are pretty good odds, considering the alternative is a painful, grueling ordeal with a guarded prognosis at best.

Answer 3

Heart worms are deadly. If your dog is outside Any at all, even if just to potty, or if he is around other outdoor dogs, there is a risk of heart worms. Some areas of the country are worse than others for the occurrence of and infestation by heart worms. Heart worms cause a very painful, agonizing death. Heartguard works...must be utilized continuously to be effective, but well worth it. Protect your pet, use Heartguard.

Answer 4

YES your dogs NEEDS heartworm medicine every month, you may be able to push it to every 5 or 6 weeks but not more than that. The flea and tick meds you don't have to give every month depending on where you live, ticks die after the first frost of the year and don't come back until it gets warmer.

Answer 5

Yes, he needs it every single month. I can't imagine why this should be a problem - there are generic versions of heartguard that are very cheap - ask your vet for generic or buy it online from an Australian supply house.
You don't need a prescription there.

Answer 6

A good article to read is on the website of Dr. Malernee. He's a vet in Florida.
http://www.evidencebasedvet.com
Click on articles and scroll down to the one on heartworm. He proves that the heartworm pill does not need to be given every month. He also links you into the government's website to let you read the original studies.

Answer 7

I give both my dogs heartworm preventative year-round. Dogs contract heartworm through a mosquito bite, and while it's true that you see mosquitos more during hot weather, they can appear at any time.

Heartworm can be deadly, and Heartgard is cheap. Why risk it?

Answer 8

I live in Wisconsin and my dog gets if from about may till november once a month because in betweent there is no mosquittoes to give it to him and I beileve in because he has never had any type of worm. But it is all up to you

Answer 9

It depends on where you live - you only need to give it to your dog when there are mosquitoes.
If you have a cold winter where you are, your dog doesn't need it in the winter.