It's the First! (vet, treatment, shelter, test)

[yellowsnow]

Time for heartworm preventative! Don't forget!

[Katie1]

Heartworm prevention should start in early March Not Sept!

[cleosmom]

Is it possible that it depends on where you live? We don't have to do heartworm preventive, as of yet, in southeastern Idaho.

[dreamhunter65]

I live in Wisconsin and do heartguard year round..Dogs even on this can get it and stopping starting makes it worse..I had 2 katrina fosters who went through heartworm treatment it is not pleasant or cheap so do heartworm meds year round.

[exhdo1]

Originally Posted by yellowsnow

Time for heartworm preventative! Don't forget!

We put Heartguard and Frontline reminder messages on our computer every month. We get constant reminders so we can't forget.

[complexsimplicity]

I started Heartguard on my dogs in March as well and do it year round. I agree, it is not cheap but it is worth it in the long run.

[ainmemphis]

I use heartguard or some sort of heartworm preventative all year round, I only take a break from the frontline in the winter. Its expensive, but what about owning a dog isn't?

[mels]

I live in New England and my vet recommends that we do Heartguard year round. I do stop with the flea/tick preventative once we get a hard freeze and start up again in the Spring.

[Sam I Am]

Please remember - if you livein an area where there are mosquitos, heartworm meds really aren't a matter of choice. They are absolutely necessary - but don't start your dog on medication without having a HW check by your vet. Any shelter animal should already be checked. If the case is very light, sometimes you can get by with just the pills...not all that often.

HW treatment is horribly expensive, and very dangerous. Dogs must be kept at low activity (preferably crated or in a very restricted area), sometimes for months.

Also remember to have your dog checked yearly with a quick blood test. Sometimes even pets who have religiously received their meds can get infected. Being in the south, we do meds all year - it may vary with areas, but if you live somewhere that there is one single mosquito in the warmer months, please cover your pet with regular meds. It's a horrible thing to watch. We lost one Rottie during the treatment by the vet - she just threw a heartworm clot and was gone within minutes. This can be one of the more expensive parts of owning a dog (really gets expensive when you have multiples!), but so crucial to their overall health.