Heartworm Meds Question

[snorky998]

My heart worm Rx is 9 months, from April to Dec. (warmer zones in the US give 12 months, colder zones than ours suggest even less than 9 months). My vet knows that if we have a hard freeze and constant cold from Nov. through March I always have 2 left over. She prefers this in case we have an early warm/wet spell in March, then I always have a heart worm tab left over to start early. But, if your dog has a past history of heart worm, stick with the recommendation of 12 months of preventative.

As for intestinal parasites please read here:
http://www.sentinelpet.com/intestinal_parasites.html for Sentinel info, then see if your pup is still being treated for any of these or at risk of contracting any of these parasites. If no, IMO there is no reason to medicate 12 months. Why give our dogs unneeded meds? If yes, ask for something specifically for intestinal parasite treatment (also ask for a recommendation of an effective over the counter drug you can buy at a local pet store). My heart worm preventative runs about $6.00 a pill. I'm sure you can buy a de-wormer OTC much cheaper than that.

I'm in no way suggesting you ignore your vets recommendations. It's just important that you feel comfortable, informed, and empowered enough to question your vet because after all, you are the best advocate your pup has. A good vet will welcome your questions and suggestions.

Thank you for having your Halo on heart worm preventative. It's one thing I'm really passionate about. So many forgo it and the consequences are at best heartbreaking, at worst deadly.

Welcome to the Basenji Forums Halo and family:)

[Rita Jean]

snorky998 question is it ok go off heart worm pills and go back on in the spring? Do you have to have the dog retested? I have always done ours year around. I am sure the weather has something do with does it not? Never know here in Dec we might still have roses and maybe not.

Rita Jean

[tanza]

I give heartworm year round, but then we do not get months of hard freeze… so it is really necessary to continue year round. I think that many vets will recommend year round, that way people do not forget to "restart" in the spring. And it is my understanding that if you go off the Heartworm, they should be retested before restarting? At least that is what I always remember?

[Rita Jean]

Thank you Pat that was always my understanding go off retest. Our winters are so who knows I just have always done it year around. Thank you.

Rita Jean

[Vicki]

@HaloLover:

Hi– Halo our 8 month old lives in the Chicago area... our vet is pushing Sentinel for 12 months. We just got her and since she is being spayed today, we have not given her anything yet. We have records stating that she had a parasite previously. Is this a wise choice? Is 12 months necessary? Thanks for any advice!

Heartworm all year round. One with whipworm protection. I use Interceptor even during our cold winters. I don't use flea and tick meds during the winter months.

[Basenjimamma]

Needless to say I do year around down here in Houston, TX. We don't even barely cool down, much less freeze..That being said, I found a website that sells their Heartguard Plus (and all the other brands as well) much cheaper then my vet. For a 12 pack (1 year for 1 dog) the blue package, up to 25lbs, my vet charges $62.00, the website charges for the same pack, size, color and all, $36.99, a whoppin' $25 difference..I believe they have free shipping as well, at least once you shop over an amount. Those savings make a difference, especially when you have multiple pets, right?

www.entirelypets.com ..check it out..

[Rita Jean]

Thank you I will check the web site out you are right about savings when you have more than one.

Thank you Vicki, I am staying with all year around.

Rita Jean

[HaloLover]

@Rita:

What do you mean she had a parasite?

Rita Jean

First Giardia and then coccidia– nothing today though, so good news there!

[Rita Jean]

I think that everyone on here has answered your question about heartworm med's year around. My question also.

Happy for your good news today. Good Luck

Rita Jean

[tanza]

@Basenjimamma:

Needless to say I do year around down here in Houston, TX. We don't even barely cool down, much less freeze..That being said, I found a website that sells their Heartguard Plus (and all the other brands as well) much cheaper then my vet. For a 12 pack (1 year for 1 dog) the blue package, up to 25lbs, my vet charges $62.00, the website charges for the same pack, size, color and all, $36.99, a whoppin' $25 difference..I believe they have free shipping as well, at least once you shop over an amount. Those savings make a difference, especially when you have multiple pets, right?

www.entirelypets.com ..check it out..

Just be careful that they are not "out of date" … as many places will purchase surplus and then resell it...

That said.. if you can find a place on line to buy... and some place require a Vets "scrip"... at least in California, Vets are required to give you that scrip...

[Basenjimamma]

True on the date…I was lucky, my vet, rather then loose the business, meets the price..

[snorky998]

@Rita:

snorky998 question is it ok go off heart worm pills and go back on in the spring? Do you have to have the dog retested? I have always done ours year around. I am sure the weather has something do with does it not? Never know here in Dec we might still have roses and maybe not.

Rita Jean

Thanks Rita for the question. Yes, I always have the dogs retested in the spring. After all it's just a preventative measure, not a guarantee. Zone weather has a lot to do with Rx script duration. You're on the cusp as far as zones are concerned. I think if I was in the KC area I'd do year round. However, the question originated in the Chicago area and I thought I'd respond with what was acceptable in our area.

[Rita Jean]

I just think year a round would be better just in case you do not get back on them in time in the spring or something happens and forget. The heartworm med's cover more than just heart worms also good thing.

Rita Jean

[Shaye's Mom]

Our vet recommended Interceptor and we use it year round. I've not heard of taking them off and then putting them back on for certain months of the year -

[tanza]

@Shaye's:

Our vet recommended Interceptor and we use it year round. I've not heard of taking them off and then putting them back on for certain months of the year -

It is a very common practice in areas of the country that have a "real" winter with months of a hard freeze….

As far as heartworm for things other then heartworms... my personal opinion is that they are not needed. Maybe for dogs that are farm working dogs may need protection from other types of worms, but our typical family pets, not in my opinion. Easier to just have a stool sample done to check. And I know that it is also common practice to "just" worm puppies.. this is something I do not do and have never had a litter of puppies that had worms. So I just have the pups checked via a stool sample rather then just worm on general principles

[snorky998]

Thanks for the support Pat. I was starting to feel as if I was getting a spanking here for posting what is a common practice here and in other areas that have a constant, hard freeze winter. Having had a dog 25+ years ago that went through treatment, I would never risk missing even 1 dose. "Not remembering" to dose is not an option in my house.

Of course 12 month preventative is still a personal choice and I respect every one elses opinion on their choice. But personally I can't see giving my dogs unnecessary meds. We are still obligated by law to continue such things as yearly rabies vacs, when titers testing is readily available, and so many adverse side effects are associated with this yearly rabies practice.

Thank you to all that that live in the warmer zones and continue the 12 month preventative protocol.

[Rita Jean]

I am so very sorry if I in any way bad you feel bad or upset. I know US our HOUSE we get going so fast sometimes Spring would be here and we would forget. We do not mean to we just look and time is gone.

Yes weather can just be crazy here here in Ks myself I wish it could be 70 everyday of winter and even warmer if it likes I hate cold.

Rita Jean