Q&A: Do I need to continue heart worm medication for my dog all year long?
Question by ?Jackie Blue?: Do I need to continue heart worm medication for my dog all year long?
We have given our dog his heart worm and flea/tick meds regularly, since adopting last Feb. We have used all his heart worm medication and wondered if we need to continue it. If I remember correctly, I think it is optional to keep them on it year round, but wondered if anyone else stops the heart worm medication during the winter months. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Best answer:
Answer by Maverick
Yes or untill you run out of what you got.
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Tagged with: continue • Heart • long • medication • Need • Worm • Year
Filed under: Dog Worms Symptoms
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Honestly, I don’t have my dogs on it. I think it depends on your area and where you live. I live in Southern CA and “supposedly” heart worm disease isn’t very prevalent in my area. It is a good idea to keep your dog on it, just in case. But like my vet said, you don’t have to. But keep in mind paying the money you do for the heart worm meds is way worth it in the long run, because if you pet does get heart worm it is a ton of money to try and cure your pet along with some pricy bills ALSO your pet will go through a lot of stress on their body. I suggest asking your vet and letting him give you some suggestions.
Continue using heart worm preventative through the winter months. Usually one buys medication for 3-6 months…so it should carry through the winter
Was your dog tested for heartworms by a qualified vet? If yes, and your dog was cleared of any issues, I don’t see a problem in continuing the medication.
The heartworm medication is useful. It protects your dog against fleas, ticks, reducing and stopping the chance of getting intestinal parasites.
It’s like taking vitamins every time you need, but with heartworm medicine it’s monthly.
It depends on what the temperatures are during the winter where you live, and what your vet recommends. If you live in an area that still can have days warm enough for mosquitos to be active, then yes. Most heartworm medications protect against internal parasites too.
Here’s some information with both viewpoints:
http://www.cliniciansbrief.com/?p=capsules&cat=Parasitology&pnum=1&newsid=4995
You can stop it but if your dog gets heart worm between now and when you give it next it may kill him =( The medicine only works to prevent the heart worm. The vet told me if you give the med and he already has the worm the dog can die. So if you want to stop it get your dog heart worm tested before starting the med again.
I live in Minnesota and no – I don’t give heartworm meds during the winter.
The problem with that is, every year (spring) they must be heartworm tested. If you keep them on medication all year long, then they only need to be tested every 2 years.
I use heartguard for my d during the warm months. I then keep her on the lflea medication all year long.
This depends on what your winters are like, if they are warmer then normal I’d put the dg on advantage or something like it with heartworm provention in it.
Ask the vet.
I know you have had our dog to the vet,so that would be your best place for this info.