Is it okay to give my dog heartworm medication before the vet sees him?
I have not had my dogs checked this year yet, but want to start them on a heartworm medicine. Is this in some way bad for the animal?
The answer is provided by :
Bozema :
Never start preventative without getting the heartworm test first. If they are positive, then the preventative can harm them - the worms can die and cause blockages in the heart and the circulatory and respiratory system.
May 10th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Yes it can harm the animal. Please have a 4dx done before giving the animal heartgard.
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May 10th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Do you mean heartworm preventative, as in Heartguard or a generic???
In that case, yes, by all means put your dog on the monthly preventative, but have the test done asap - it is very fast and cheap, done by the vet's office with almost immediate results.
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May 10th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Yes it's really bad for him. The vet has to test him for heartworm first to be sure he doesn't have it, BEFORE you can give him the preventative.
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May 10th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Yes, it could kill him. You have to get it tested for heartworm first. If you give a dose of meds, and he has any heartworms, some of them could die in his heart/bloodstream and cause very serious problems.
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May 10th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Never start preventative without getting the heartworm test first. If they are positive, then the preventative can harm them - the worms can die and cause blockages in the heart and the circulatory and respiratory system.
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May 10th, 2008 at 8:04 am
No it is not a good idea because if he happens to already have heartworms, then heartworm medication could be very bad for him. The vet will do a simple blood test to make sure your dog does not have heartworms before he gives you the medication.
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May 10th, 2008 at 8:23 am
do not give him the meds before you see the vet. no matter if someone else says its ok, its really not. you can do the dog harm by starting before seeing the DR. If he has heartworms they need to treated for them before taking the prevenative.
heartworm treatment is tough on the dogs .
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