??? heartworm protocols

briteday · 10-17-2007, 02:14 AM

In our visit to the vet today heartworm prevention was brought up, as 5 cases were seen in our area. However all of the cases were in areas known for being swampy (if there is such a thing in the desert! but we do have some naturally low lying areas that were formerly used as pasture land, known for wet conditions and mosquitoes). We live in the higher foothills and I literally saw ONE mosquito in the last year. So I am mulling my options at this point.

If I did meds, they use Heartguard. From my research this seems to be an appropriate and relatively safe med. It also seems inexpensive for the protection it offers. I would use it 12 months out of the year to prevent having to re-test the dogs annually. However the vet mentioned that she likes to test annually anyway and wouldn't agree to any less than testing every two years with continuous 12-month treatments. I thought that you test initially, and then only if you take the dog off the med thereafter.

???

I welcome any comments on the med itself as well as the protocols.

animalcraker · 10-17-2007, 03:31 AM

There are a number of reason why a vet will test anually. Many states require annual bloodwork for meds to be dispensed, keep in mind this is only for meds where bloodwork is needed in the first place. It is also possible for your pet to still get heartworm while being on heartworm meds, though it is very unlikely, and if your dog has a severe heartworm infection the meds can kill your dog. There's also a trust issue between clients and vets, your vet has no way of proving that you were consistent with the meds other than your word that you were. And the company that manufactures the heartguard gaurentes their product if your dog ever contracts heartworm, but I belive they only honor that if there's annual bloodwork done.

briteday · 10-17-2007, 11:59 AM

Thanks! I knew there were people in mosquito country that would know the minutia of heartworm prevention. Thanks!