[Donna5503]

Hi everyone...

I've had dogs my whole life....my last dog before my present dog, died in November of 2006 ---

From 1955 to November of 2006 -- I never had any of my dogs on any preventive meds ---and they all did fine

In September of 2008 -- I adopted Chubby and have had him on Frontline Plus for Fleas & Heartworm....

He doesn't like the Heartworm pill/chew and I have to trick him to eat it---and with his dense coat -- I'm not really sure I'm getting the Flea Oil right on his skin ---

I'm wondering -- is it really worth it?

 

[lillie20]

My two year old male has always been on Frontline Plus. Even with using monthly he got lyme disease. Wonder what good it did, but do continue using. For heartworm prevention, only use during warm months, not all 12. Could not handle oral tablet type, was too hard on his stomach. Now use Revolution which is a topical tick/flea/heartworm all in one.

 

[CorgiKarma]

For flea preventative you could always go a natural route. This yearwwe started using diatomaceous earth.

As far as heartworm preventative goes, it's not something to be taken lightly. The treatment is costly and very hard on the dog. It is not something I would risk. Usually when you adopt a dog they ask if you plan on using heartworm preventative, and with good reason.

 

[Willowy]

Heartworm prevention is indeed "worth it". Heartworms are terrible. If he won't chew the chewable tablets (they need to be chewed in order to work), ask your vet about getting tablets that you can make him swallow or having liquid Ivermectin doctored up at a compounding pharmacy----you can have it flavored with anything your dog likes, and it costs about the same as the pills. There are other brands of heartworm prevention, too......there might be another one your dog actually likes. My dogs beg for their Heartgard . There are topicals, too, but if his fur is that thick those might not be best.

The flea meds, though, may not be necessary. Have you had a flea problem in the past?

 

[Lolas_Dad]

If you do not do the heartworm preventive year round then your dog will need to have the antigen test done yearly at the very least. It is better to do it year round as it is a lot cheaper than to have the heartworm treatment which can cost the dog it's life.

Your not talking all that much money for a good heartworm preventive.Also a few days ago I seen a commercial for heartguard in a chewable treat form. I'm sure it is new so you may want to ask your vet if they have any of it.

 

[CorgiKarma]

Also a few days ago I seen a commercial for heartguard in a chewable treat form. I'm sure it is new so you may want to ask your vet if they have any of it.

You mean Heartguard chewables? Nothing new, Heartguard comes in a tablet or a chew. I've always used Heartguard Plus chewables.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Heartgard+Plus-prod10002.html

 

[Lolas_Dad]

You mean Heartguard chewables? Nothing new, Heartguard comes in a tablet or a chew. I've always used Heartguard Plus chewables.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Heartgard+Plus-prod10002.html

Well I thought it was new. It is new to me actually because it was the first time I saw it. I use Interceptor though because Interceptor protects against whipworms in addition to the other parasites where as Heartguard does not.

 

[Donna5503]

Thanks for all your replies....I'm going to talk with the Vet and put him back on it --

 

[greenmnm114]

I know my one dog is picky. She of course won't eat the generic Tri Heart Plus because it's a harder tablet, however, she loves the Heartguard Plus. I think because it's a more chewy one. She'll gobble it up like a treat. I break it up for her. As far as the Flea and tick treatment Frontline Plus...I don't give my dogs this all year round. I stop with the first frost, and usually start up again in April. It really depends on where you live too, where I live, the fleas and ticks are pretty bad, so I really do try to give them the preventative.