Question by Chargers Chick: Is monthly heartworm medication for dogs really necessary?
I have 2 large dogs and every month I give them the heartworm stuff but because they’re so big it’s pretty expensive. They’re indoors 80% of the time by their choice, I think that’s typical of Great Danes though, I think that might be why they’re sometimes called Castle Dogs But anyways so because they’re indoors so much whats the chance that they’d really get heartworms? How do dogs get heartworms? Am I wasting my money? I want to keep my dogs healthy but I don’t want to buy the heartworm meds if its highly unlikely that they’d get heartworms anyways. What do you guys think? Thank you in advance for your answers.

Best answer:

Answer by boober_fraggle79
Dogs get heart worms from mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can very easily get in your house. And it only takes a few seconds for the mosquito to bite your dog when it does go outside. Yes heart worm medicine is necessary and worth the money.

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Question by changedbyalamb: Is it necessary to get a fecal exam?
I deworm my dogs twice a year, using Panacur C. This particular dewormer is ” typically used to treat hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, and whipworms in dogs. It is also used by veterinarians to treat other parasites.” I called the vet and they told me I still need a stool sample- even if I just treated them with Panacur. Now, I hate to be this person but I get awefully suspicious when I feel I am being ripped off.

Do I really need a stool sample for them or is this unneccessary?
This is just an annual check up to update shots- no issues with the dog.

Best answer:

Answer by Mr. P’s Person
Nothing is 100% sure to work. For the sake of the $ 10 my vet charges I would prefer to know all is well than to take a chance.

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Question by Chelsea B: What is necessary in the treatment of tapeworms in dogs? ?
I have a dog that has tapeworms and I went online to 1-800 pet meds to get some medication because I didn’t feel it would be necessary to have him go to the vet just yet since I knew what it was. I am giving him the tablets of the tapeworm medication. I can’t tell if it has worked yet, but wanted to ask if it is necessary to take him to the vet and if there is any other treatment options. What works best also?

Best answer:

Answer by VERY Tenacious
DRONCIT-buy it from the vet-in the correct dosage per weight instead of dinking around w/OTC junk.

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Question by Your Asking Me?: Is it necessary to give your dog heart worm pills all year long?
My vet has been having us give our dog heart worm pills every day of the year. i take her in and she gets her shots, etc. and her yearly blood test for heart worms. THEN I ALWAYS get a heart worm prevention meds for a full year. And give her one a month. THEN back to the vet. For six years we have been doing this. Now I hear from three different pet owners…They don’t give them in the winter months. Soon as the first freeze comes they stop. I KNOW this is true about the flea drops…But the heart worm pills?
Appreciate your opinion in this. CAUSE I WILL continue as I have been for Ginger’s sake. BUT do I HAVE to? AND shouldn’t the other pet owners do the same for their dogs?
Most of you mis read my question. i DO NOT give them to her daily. But I DO yearly…One a month…Every month for a full year. NOT DAILY…That would probably kill my dog…and I love her too much to be stupid with her medication.
I see a lot of good answers though and I thank you so much for answering…

Best answer:

Answer by Born 2 shop
I do the same as you do.
My vet said it is because of the changing in the seasons.
Just because it is winter does not mean it is cold/freezing and they can still catch something.
I prefer my animals be as healthy as possible so I give them to them all year!

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Question by kathy_is_a_nurse: Is it necessary to get a heart worm test for your dog every year if he has been getting his pill every month?
I got a notice from the vet. I assume they will do the heart worm test, which will cost money, and then sell us the heartworm medicine at a mark-up. I know I can get the same medicine at a discount elsewhere. I don’t mind taking him in for the test, if it is necessary, but is it? He’s never missed a dose since we had him tested originally, so could he still get heart worms?

Best answer:

Answer by torbaynewfs
Check with your vet. I test every three years, OK’d by my vet since I keep the dogs on the medication year round. SOme will do testing ever other year, some will still make you test yearly. IF that is the case, you might want to switch to a more progressive vet. I see no need for testing yearly if you are careful with the prevention.

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