Heartworm is a parasitic roundworm that infects dogs via mosquito bites. If you have a dog, you should get him or her on a year round heartworm prevention program. It may be a little costly, but it is well worth it. Heartgard, Revolution, and Advantage are three very good choices. There are some pet owners that only give the meds during the warmer months, but is this really safe? What are the warmer months anymore? Depending on where you live, some winters have mild stretches. I do not take the chance with my dogs. Once heartworm is diagnosed, treatment can be expensive and lengthy, not to mention potentially ineffective. Do yourself and your little fur ball a favor and start year round prevention.

It’s not quite here yet, but it’s coming up. My dogs are on a monthly heartworm preventative (Heartgard Plus). Where I live, there are two months of the year in which it is below freezing every day, and at least three MORE months when the temperature is still too cold for mosquitoes.

Is it really that important that I keep them on the Heartgard during these months? Only reason I could even imagine them needing it is if it builds up or something, and would be more beneficial to their systems if they don’t have to start up on it again, or something like that.

The answer is provided by :
Bindi *No such thing as 100% R+* :
HeartGuard works killing "baby heartworms" (its late, I’m exhausted) When you give a dose in July you’re actually treating for any possible worms that were contracted in June. It doesn’t build up in the system.

During those months when its below freezing and to cold for mosquitos, you can stop giving it. You want to give a dose after the first hard freeze, and start back up when it starts to thaw.

I was just wondering an actual number of dogs that become infected with heartworm per year? I read somewhere that about 250,000 dogs are diagnosed with heartworm per year, which is actually pretty small, given the dog population is about 60,000,000 dogs in the US. So how many dogs really get heartworm each year?

The best answer is by :
SaveMB42Late :
Canine heartworm infection is widely distributed throughout the United States. Heartworm infection has been found in dogs native to all 50 states. All dogs, regardless of their age, sex, or habitat, are susceptible to heartworm infection. The highest infection rates (up to 45%) in dogs (not maintained on heartworm preventive) are observed within 150 miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from the Gulf of Mexico to New Jersey and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. Other areas of the United States may have lower incidence rates (5% or less) of canine heartworm disease, while some regions have environmental, mosquito population and dog population factors that allow a higher local incidence of heartworm infection. Regions where heartworm disease is common have diagnosed infections in dogs as young as one year of age, with most areas diagnosing infections primarily between the ages of three and eight years. Although there are differences in frequency of infection for various groups of dogs, all dogs in all regions should be considered at risk, placed on prevention programs and frequently examined by a veterinarian.

Took me dog to vet and it has heartworm and i wanted to know what it is and is it a worm in my dogs heart? Cause look what i found :http://www.marvistavet.com/assets/images/heartworm_inside_open_heart.gif
So what is it?
Thank you!
And don’t tell me to just ask my vet cause thats a old lazy answer!

The answer is provided by :
Pepe Silvia :
Heartworm larvae are carried by mosquitoes, who then transfer the larvae into dogs and cats when biting them. It is preventable, and your dog should have been on heartworm prevention tablets. It is literally a type of worm that manifests itself in the heart (and sometimes blood), and it requires extensive treatment via surgery or a series of injections. Your dog will need to be kept calm and sedentary after treatment, as activity can cause blockages of dead worms to occur in the heart.

Do a ton of research and follow your vet’s advice. This is a very difficult disease; good luck.

There are so many different types of flea, tick and heartworm preventative out ton the market it is hard to chose from. Also, what brand will kill fleas and guard your pet against heartworms as well? I am sick of spending hundreds of dollars on expensive brands like frontline plus and others. What can I use that is reasonably price and does the same thing?

This is was answered by :
joanplus4dogs :
Here is a comparison chart for you. Only Revolution, Sentinel & Advantage Multi kills fleas & heart worms. Personally I wouldn’t trust a spot-on to treat heart worms on my pets. I am not willing to take any risks for a few bucks. The generics of Heartqard is only $2,3 per month per pet & treating half the year usually for fleas is enough with precautions taken.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_heartworm_preventive_compariso.html

My husband and I want to adopt another dog. We fell in love with a 2 year old Pitbull (I think she weighs about 50lbs) at the human society. They told us that she tested positive for heartworm so she will need to be treated before she is eligible for adoption. From what I understand, we will have to cover the cost of treatment if we want to adopt her. They said they would call us tomorrow with more details but I have no idea what to expect. I’ve never dealt with heartworm before.

The question was answered by :
A Great Dane Lady :
Vet treatment is expensive. The dog must be crated and kept quiet for months.
If this dog has a light heartworm load, ask about the "Slow Kill" method. In this method, the vet gives the dog an antibiotic for a couple of weeks. Then they give the dog Heartgard every 2 weeks for 6 months. This method is on the net and would be safer for the dog. The worm die off is slower so they don’t need to be kept quiet for months. It is less expensive for you. You can look this up on the net.

I’d tell you about alternative treatments, but I don’t think the shelter would go for it.

I have an adopted dog that was tested positive for hearworm and is on medication. My dog is mostly a good dog but some times he changes into a nasty dog that just gets into all kinds of trouble and will grawl at me. I am wondering if any other heartworm positive dog owners find this happens to their dog as well. I wonder if it has something to do with the heartworms making him a little nuts at times. Thanks for any answers from heartworm dog owners.

This is was answered by :
Tessa :
The heart worms are in the heart. The worms might make a dog have trouble breathing, cough, and not have energy to play. The worms have never affected the dogs behavior. I rescue dogs,and foster them. Normally the rescue sends heart worm positive dogs to me until treatment is compete. I have had some dogs become sick, but never have they had behavioral problems.

I’ve been researching for weeks as I have a dog that tested positive for heartworm. The traditional treatments seem cruel at best. Has anyone tried and successfully cured/managed heartworm in a canine using holistic methods?

This is was answered by :
JenVT :
It would have been best to use a preventative to begin with. now you must suffer the consequences, as will your pet. The only other real option is euthanasia or a painful death.

I have always given my puppy her heartworm preventative medication. If I miss it this month, will it harm her? Thank you in advance
I wasn’t planning on missing, but I didn’t have a car to get to the vet. Thanks anyways

The best answer is by :
Stacey :
It depends on where you live. Very few areas in the continental U.S. require year round heartworm treatment because the temperature is too low for the transmission of heartworm larvae. The larvae require approximately 30 consecutive days of 60-degree weather where the temperature does not dip below 57F (14C) in order to reach this condition. Check out this link for a geographic map and more information.

I want to get my dog heartworm medication and was wondering, when I go to the vet, do I have to pay extra to get it? I was planning on using 1800petmeds and they require one before I can get Iverhart.

I just got my first dog, if you couldn’t tell. ^__^;
*don’t have insurance yet

The question was answered by :
walking lady :
Before you can get meds for heartworm, the vet needs to test your dog to make sure he doesn’t already have heartworm. The vet won’t charge you for a prescription, you only pay for meds, but your dog has to see the vet first to be tested.