Should my 8lb dog still take Frontline and Heartgard even in the Chicago winter months? I live in the middle of the downtown city so he is rarely in a grassy area. Can we stop the meds until winter has ended. If so, when would we start up again?
2007-12-05 07:35:53 · 11 answers · asked by Gia H 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I live in Ohio & my vet recommends doing both only from April / November.
I guess it is all on what individual vet says. I'd ask your vet.
2007-12-05 07:51:50 · answer #1 · answered by ® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some vets disagree on this on the Heartgard...some say do it year round, especially with warmer winters as of late, others say it is fine to skip the Heartgard from hard frost to when it warms again (say December to February). Ask your vet if it would be permissible to do it every 6 weeks for your area instead of every 4.
Frontline protects from fleas for 3 months (but ticks for just 1, but they are gone in the winter whereas fleas can live inside), so I do one Frontline application in November and don't do it again until March or so.
2007-12-05 07:42:38 · answer #2 · answered by Cave Canem 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My dogs are on Interceptor and Frontline Plus year round. But then I live in California and we get a light frost only a few times during the winter. I have been to Chicago in the winter and don't know how people survive much less bugs.
2007-12-05 14:36:28 · answer #3 · answered by Tin Can Sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would keep your dog on Heartguard all year because if you do take the winter off he/she will need to have a blood test for heart worms before going back on it in the spring. If the medication is administered while your dog is infected then it could cause serious problems. Save yourself some money and your puppy a needle poke :).
I keep my dog on both all year. Doggy daycare requires it plus you don't have to worry whether the winter itching is just a little dry skin or fleas. I live in Wisconsin and asked my vet before and that is what she told me.
2007-12-05 07:56:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know about the heartguard, but the frontline i have to keep it on my dogs year round but i live in the country and my dogs are in the yard alot.You could try not putting it on them and if you see a flea put it on them again. thats what i did with mine this year. i ended up having to start them back on it again today (we had a small warmer spell in the weather i guess is why) those little fleas can survive anything i think.
2007-12-05 07:53:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Chicago as well. Always keep her on Heartguard. As for the Frontline, after a few frosts, my vet said they didn't need it, but since they go to daycare and such, she told me to keep them on it throughout the winter.
2007-12-05 07:38:44 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You should talk to your vet about it some do say leave it on them year around cause fleas live in side of homes where it is warm during the winter months
2007-12-05 07:40:48 · answer #7 · answered by chihuahuamom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Continue the heartguard throughout the yr. I only use the frontline in the warmer months....like april/may through oct/nov.
2007-12-05 07:39:59 · answer #8 · answered by Megz 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You still need to give your dog heartgard. We give it to our dog all year round, no matter the weather.
2007-12-05 07:39:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Heartguard, yes all year
Frontline can be stopped in the winter
Heartguard has ivermectin and pyrantel. It kills all sorts of worms in the gut and bloodstream. You should give it to him all year long.
2007-12-05 07:46:15 · answer #10 · answered by mama woof 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋