[joflake]

Do all of you give your dogs heart worm preventative, such as Heart Guard? I called the vet to get my dogs scripts refilled and they said they have to have a blood test first. I asked why, if they're on the medicine and never skip a dose, why do we have to do a blood test. She said that all dogs on the meds have to have a test every two years and dogs not on the meds have to have a test every year. So does that mean people don't give the meds, they just have the test done yearly? How safe do you think this is? I don't live in an area that has a high rate of heart worm cases. Do you think it would be safe to just have the test done yearly and skip the meds? It sure would be cheaper, but that is not my main concern.

 

[Dukesdad]

I believe the problem is a dog has to be clear of any heart worms or microfilariae before giving preventative medicines. That can cause a problem so your Vet wants to be sure you are clear. I go through this every year and both my boys always test negative.
I would not skip heart worm preventative as it is now so prevalent nation wide.
http://www.lawestvector.org/images/heartwormdist.gif
Preventative meds may be expensive but not nearly as expensive as treatment.

 

[joflake]

I'm not really worried about the money, but I wondered because I thought everybody gave the meds and when she said that, it made me question if people don't. One more question: I've read on here that some people's dogs test positive, if they're on the preventative, how does that happen?

 

[bearsdad]

My vet requires a test every year. We give meds year round. It is very dangerous to give meds to a dog if they are positive, it can kill them. Cases of dogs getting HW even while on meds is on the rise.. look at Tai for example.

 

[joflake]

My vet requires a test every year. We give meds year round. It is very dangerous to give meds to a dog if they are positive, it can kill them. Cases of dogs getting HW even while on meds is on the rise.. look at Tai for example.

That's who I thought it was, but wasn't sure. I will definately keep giving them the meds.

 

[Bob Pr.]

We vet at Kansas State's CollVetMed Teaching Hospl and they recommend Interceptor so that's what we use.

 

[Shane23]

I use Interceptor too.

 

[joflake]

We vet at Kansas State's CollVetMed Teaching Hospl and they recommend Interceptor so that's what we use.

Is this better than HeartGuard?

 

[labby]

This is common and recommended. HW preventative can fail and they check each year to be sure the dog isn't HW positive.

 

[myfavoritedog]

That's who I thought it was, but wasn't sure. I will definately keep giving them the meds.

Yes, it was Tal and you could definitely knock me over with a feather, even now. I am particular about giving them their HW meds every month, and I had the same question but the preventative does not guarantee they will not get it. I am a big believer after my experience of the annual test. Merial gave me a year's worth of Heartguard at no cost; after that we are switchingTal to interceptor.

 

[millstonekennel]

Mine get Iverheart Plus year round and are tested every 2 years for heartworms, Ehrlichia and Lymes.

 

[georgie]

We use Interceptor year round & our vet still does an annual HW test.

 

[justine]

Another one for the annual HW test. The lady called with the results and the way that she left the voicemail and her voice scared the crap out of me, but Abbey was negative.

Abbey gets Heartgard every 15th of the month. Toby is on Interceptor.

 

[Dani]

use it year around and test every other year. Interceptor is our choice of meds.

 

[joflake]

use it year around and test every other year. Interceptor is our choice of meds.

Is there a significant difference between the meds? I've always used Heart Guard, but if the others are better, I could switch. They go Friday for their blood tests. Libby doesn't care, but Willy is not going to be a happy camper. The fun part is I get to bring them back to work with me after the appointment.

 

[Dani]

No..there isn't much difference between meds with the exception of which intestinal parasites they also worm for.

 

[ceasersmom]

I believe the problem is a dog has to be clear of any heart worms or microfilariae before giving preventative medicines. That can cause a problem so your Vet wants to be sure you are clear. I go through this every year and both my boys always test negative.
I would not skip heart worm preventative as it is now so prevalent nation wide.
http://www.lawestvector.org/images/heartwormdist.gif
Preventative meds may be expensive but not nearly as expensive as treatment.

Absolutely! Ceaser was HW poss when I adopted him and it is very pricey. The worst part is not the cost of the treatment, it is the stress and worry because the treatment is dangerous and having to keep them quiet for 6 -8 weeks

 

[lubmylabs]

I've never had either of my dogs tested for heartworm and none of the vets we've seen has ever suggested it. They just ask what preventative they're on at the yearly checkup. I guess maybe the prevalence of heartworm is not as high in Australia as in the US.

We use Sentinel Spectrum because it takes care of fleas as well.

 

[talleyJudy]

I quit giving any heart worm preventive in 1999 when Talley, my Pharaoh Hound, was diagnosed with cancer..... Auggie was then 4 years old. Auggie was tested for heart worm every March, and the tests were always negitive.

For many of those years we traveled twice a year to the 'south east' portion of the country for two to three weeks at a time (NA$CAR ) and she always tested negative. There are risks either way: preventive/treatment.

Just saying...

 

[HannieLuv]

I live in an area where HW is pretty rare (TG).

I really don't want to put Hannah on anything unless it's absolutely necessary. Have discussed it w/a couple of different vets & both feel as long as she gets tested yearly, it's fine. If HW ever becomes a real problem here, I would give her meds but I'm a real PITA when it comes to giving her any kind of meds or shots that I feel are unnecessary.

Lots of areas where HW is a major problem so many dog parents don't have a choice (except maybe the brand)!