I’m planning to get my first dog & don’t know alot about heartworms. I currently live in Florida & she will be a indoor/outdoor dog. Is it necessary to put the dog on heartworm prevention meds or should I just have her checked yearly? Most people I’ve known with dogs don’t have their dogs on the meds, so I’m wondering if its even worth it. Also, are Huskys anymore suseptible to heartworms than other type of dogs?

The question was answered by :
krissy112002 :
Any dog is suseptible to heartworm and yes you should have your dog on a heartworm preventative. If your dog gets heartworm, they will have to undergo aggressive treatment that will be very painful and will have to be seperated from contact with other animals and humans. It is a lot easier to prevent than it is to treat.

What does treatment consist of?
How long does treatment last?
What signs and symptoms does a dog exhibit during treatment?
Can a dog die during heartworm treatment?
What necessary precautions must be taken when caring for a dog that is undergoing treatment?

The answer is provided by :
Amanda W :
The treatment consists of a series of injections over a few days or a couple of months.

Dogs are often tired. Some of this may be from pain meds given during treatment. It is really hard on their bodies, though. They usually feel at least a little off.

Dogs can die during heartworm treatment. I’ve only seen it happen twice. They were rescue dogs that were not in peak condition otherwise and they had been heartworm positive for years by all evidence. There’s a risk, but the risks of leaving them infected are definitely higher.

You should keep your dog quiet. Very little exercise for the entire time they are being treated. Make sure they’re eating and they’re breathing ok and not coughing. Those can be signs that something is wrong. If that happens, contact your vet.

One of my dogs had to go through treatment shortly after I got him. He did fine with it and is doing fine now. It’s a serious thing, though and shouldn’t be taken lightly. I hope I’ve helped and I hope your dog does well.

I gave my dog his regular dose of the heartworm medication earlier this month. We just bought a pill that’s used both for heartworm and fleas. He has a lot of fleas and we would like to start the medication immediately but am not sure if I can give him more than one prescribed dose of the medicine in one month.

The best answer is by :
show breeders sell sick pups. :
i wouldn’t to much of one medicine could be harmful..

I have a Pug puppy who is about 7 months old. She has shots but I want to begin giving her preventative heartworm medication as soon as possible, but I heard something about having to do it before a certain age… Is that true? I think someone told me that I need to start it by 6 months of age… Will it be just as effective if I start now? I’m hoping it’s not true about needing to get it before 6 months… I’m just wondering what the facts are.
Thanks!

The following reply is by : Chigirl *Love A Chihuahua* :
FACT- you can still start the dog on Heart worm preventative like Interceptor monthly. BUT….you need to take the dog to the VET first & have a Heart worm test done, to make sure your dog doesn’t already have adult heart worms, if your dog does, then giving a preventative instead of treatment can actually be very harmful to your dog.

You need to talk with your Veterinarian about a heart worm test & then starting the dog on a monthly preventative.

Rogue Bullies-your VET may have something different.
My VET however requires a test before the preventative. My VET doesn’t even carry heart-guard!!!
So NO I’m not wrong, you are just being an idiot.

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.