I have a 5 month puppy I want to get started on heartworm prevention. Just wondering on the cost and if it can be bought over the counter or must be through a vet. Also, what medications would you suggest?

The best answer is by :
Chetco :
My favorite is the spot-on monthly application, REVOLUTION..as it protects against most parasites, including heartworm. ‘But, it is more expensive than some of the others. ($13 per month) You can get the first one from your vet, and sometimes it is free, as a promotional trial..but the office visit isn’t free, unless you are taking him in for his shots, anyway. (My breed is like the collie, in that they don’t tolerate the common meds).
Then you can order them from petmeds online, or continue getting them at the counter in your vet’s office.

Added: (for those who say not to buy online) PetMeds gets a prescription from your vet. They don’t sell heartworm prevention without a prescription. But, they take care of it for you.

I gave my dog his heartworm medication yesterday and today he woke up with either a stiff neck or arthritis pain in his neck. We have given him advil before for his arthritis pain and the vet has OKed this. Is it OK to give him advil so close to giving him his heartworm?

The following reply is by : smsalterego :
NEVER give a dog ibuprofen, which is what Advil is!

Are you freakin’ NUTS?!?!?!

I’m thinking of adopting a dog that has heartworm. It is supposed to be being treated right now and I was told that the dog would have to be limited activity wise for 6 weeks or so. My concern is that I have another dog, and she is on heartguard already, is it possible for her to somehow catch the heartworm from the other dog? Is there any issues or concerns I should be aware of before adopting this dog?

Thanks.

The best answer is by :
GG :
be prepared that the dog may not be healed and that you just may incur vet debt for treatment and a possible heartache watching the poor fellow go through this but if you decide to go through with it, kudos toyou for taking on such a feat. i dont think i could do such a thing.

I have a pomeranian mix and she needs her annual heartworm test done. I haven't had her but a few months and have no clue how much this test runs. I just want like a general idea.

The question was answered by :
❤PomMom❤ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Spay & Neuter :
I pay $25 for the blood test and $30 for the heartworm preventative.

i'd rather just be able to order heartwarm medicine to prevent heartworms, instead of going to the vet to get it. what is a good brand to prevent heartworms that is cheap and safe for my puppies. how old do puppies need to be to give them heartworm medicine?

This is was answered by :
joanplus4dogs :
You can't.

Your dog has to be tested after the age of 6mo to ensure dog doesn't have heartworms before the preventative can be given & must be done yearly. The heartworm meds sold by vets are the only ones guaranteed & backed by their companies. They are only sold to vets & if your dog gets heartworms while using their product, they will fully pay for treatment. No way else will you get this product with the guarantee. It is far better to buy & pay that lil bit extra bit of money than have your dog contact a painful fatal disease with costly treatment.

Add: Petmeds etc have been sued by these companies since they don't sell their products to them(heartgard etc) If you have noticed recent ads no longer show heartworm meds.

My dog is almost seven years old, and ever since we had him (at six weeks), we give him a heartworm pill once a month. Our vet recently switched brands of pills, and our dog turns his nose up at this pill. After a couple days of unsuccessfully trying to get him to take it, we decided to just skip this month and talk to our vet later about another alternative. Now, two weeks later, our dog is having extreme gas; the smell is horrible. Is there any connection to missing a pill and this? Please lend us your knowledge! Thanks.

The best answer is by :
Stacey S. :
why don't you roll the pill up in a little ball of cheese and see if he'll take it then.
And no, missing a heart worm pill wouldn't give him gas.

I'm trying to decide what to use for my puppy. I used Advantage on my puppy at the vet last month because the check out person said it was the same as the rest and included heartworm protection. Since then though I have learned that the Advantage stuff doesn't protect from ticks, which I may need because even though we live in apartments, we tend to walk close to a wooded area.

The answer is provided by :
WealthManagement81 :
stick with frontline and heartguard.

I'm trying to decide what to use for my puppy. I used Advantage on my puppy at the vet last month because the check out person said it was the same as the rest and included heartworm protection. Since then though I have learned that the Advantage stuff doesn't protect from ticks, which I may need because even though we live in apartments, we tend to walk close to a wooded area.

The best answer is by :
WealthManagement81 :
stick with frontline and heartguard.

I'm trying to decide what to use for my puppy. I used Advantage on my puppy at the vet last month because the check out person said it was the same as the rest and included heartworm protection. Since then though I have learned that the Advantage stuff doesn't protect from ticks, which I may need because even though we live in apartments, we tend to walk close to a wooded area.

This is was answered by :
WealthManagement81 :
stick with frontline and heartguard.

I'm trying to decide what to use for my puppy. I used Advantage on my puppy at the vet last month because the check out person said it was the same as the rest and included heartworm protection. Since then though I have learned that the Advantage stuff doesn't protect from ticks, which I may need because even though we live in apartments, we tend to walk close to a wooded area.

The following reply is by : WealthManagement81 :
stick with frontline and heartguard.