[kafkabeetle]

I know seasonal heartworm prevention relies upon typical weather, since heartworms can only survive in weather that is consistently above 55 degrees for some period of time (correct me if I am misrepresenting this). The schedule for my area is June-November. But since we've had a pretty mild winter, should I be amending this schedule in any way for the best protection? Any information or opinions on this are greatly appreciated.

 

[Willowy]

I guess you can keep track of nighttime temps and start giving the meds 2 weeks after the temps stay above 55. I'm sure this year those temps will come earlier.

 

[kadylady]

My dogs are on heartworm prevention meds year round. All I know is the mosquito's are going to be really bad this year and soon. My vets office has been sending reminders and facebook updates about the bad mosquito season and making sure people are giving heartworm prevention meds, as well as local rescues. I probably see at least a post a day about it. I'm in Michigan so not too far from you, and if it were me I would start now. We already have mosquito's hatching here.

 

[juliemule]

Mine are on year round prevention.

 

[luv mi pets]

I keep mine on year round. Not only for heartworm prevention but the parasitic prevention benefits also.

 

[sassafras]

This is one of the reasons I just give it year round. When to start and stop isn't something I want to spend my mental energy on.

 

[LuvMyAngels]

I keep Bus on his heartworm meds year round. Since its part of the routine (drug the dog, clean furnace filter & washing machine filter...), I dont forget or miss a dose.

 

[Charis]

We are in North Texas so year round. Although it does freeze for a few months - maybe.

 

[kafkabeetle]

I'm probably just get her tested soon then and start her up again right away. In your average normal year here there really are many months where there isn't much point because it's far too cold for insects, much less mosquitos actually carrying heartworms. This has definitely not been a typical year, though so I guess I'll just play it safe the best I can.

 

[agility collie mom]

I keep them on year round. Heartworm preventative also deworms for intestinal parasites depending on type of hwp it also does roundworm, hookworms, whipworms. Those parasites are out there year round in wildlife feces and contaminated feces of other dogs.

 

[oldhounddog]

I have had two rescue dogs treated for Heartworms. I give Heartworm prevention meds to all my dogs year round.
There was a time that I did not give HW prevention meds in winter , but , I quit this years ago.


Best , oldhounddog

 

[luvmyfurballs]

I used to do seasonally too, but there has been more and more cases where I live and in areas that it wouldn't be expected, so I now do year round also.

 

[Poly]

Most people follow a year-round preventative schedule

Unless you are an entomologist, it's too difficult to figure out just when mosquitose will be active. It only takes a couple of warm days for the eggs to hatch and the larvae to mature. Going by the calendar is unreliable.

In addition to the preventative, don't forget your yearly heartworm test.

 

[hamandeggs]

For those of you who don't give it year round -- are you worried about intestinal parasites? Do you worm monthly with another product? That's my main reason for 12 months of Interceptor. If there's another option I'd be very interested.

 

[juliemule]

For those of you who don't give it year round -- are you worried about intestinal parasites? Do you worm monthly with another product? That's my main reason for 12 months of Interceptor. If there's another option I'd be very interested.

I only deworm if needed. I have lots of pups, and we travel alot, but never had a problem, other than occasional tapeworms. I have fecal tests done twice a year on the ones that travel, once a year on the others. I use plain ivermectin for Heartworm prevention.

 

[KaywinnitLee]

I keep my dog on Interceptor year-round for complete parasite protection. She had heartworms before I adopted her so there is no way I am taking any chances with that. It seems like with the mosquito season we have coming up, protection will be more important than ever. I wouldn't want to have to think about when to stop and start such an important form of preventative health care.

 

[sassafras]

For those of you who don't give it year round -- are you worried about intestinal parasites? Do you worm monthly with another product? That's my main reason for 12 months of Interceptor. If there's another option I'd be very interested.

It's not a primary concern of mine, although I don't mind the protection (such as it is). Honestly it's just that our weather has been changing over the years and I don't want to futz around with thinking about "when are the mosquitoes going to stop/start THIS year?" every year or, god forbid, screw up my assessment/prediction. With how late we have had warm weather the last several years, it got to the point where I was only skipping a couple of months anyway. Such an easy and safe thing to prevent, my dogs tolerate the medications just fine, so why not.

 

[hamandeggs]

I lived with a dog once who came down with a miserable case of roundworms in the dead of winter. It was disgusting.

But you're right, sassafras: where we live, there are only a couple of months we would be skipping anyway, and Biscuit has never had a bad reaction to Interceptor.

 

[luvmyfurballs]

I'm probably just get her tested soon then and start her up again right away. In your average normal year here there really are many months where there isn't much point because it's far too cold for insects, much less mosquitos actually carrying heartworms. This has definitely not been a typical year, though so I guess I'll just play it safe the best I can.

The main reason for year round is because heartworm is becoming more of a problem...Lots more cases seen year after year and a even bigger issue is the shortage on the medicine to cure it. Heartguard has a good guarantee on their medicine...if you use it year round and get the dog tested yearly and the dog still gets it(it is possible) they will pay for the vet bills associated with the heartworm.

 

[kafkabeetle]

Of course I have her tested yearly like any other dog. Luckily I most likely won't have to worry about whether or not to skip the winter months in the future, since I will be moving to Texas before winter comes around again. I'll definitely be keeping her on it year-round there! Thanks for the opinions, folks.