[SWAMPSNIPER]

If you have mosquitos, heartworm is a possibility. It is a lot cheaper to prevent than it is to cure.

[righthand man]

is it important that they take heartworm meds?

Yes , mosquitoes are the carriers ,

[cripplecreek]

Sentinel works for us. I wish they made it for people.

[teenyelliott]

Luck of the draw that that dog doesn't have heart worms.

ALWAYS have a dog on hw preventative.

It only takes one mosquito bite.

[MikefromOhio]

Heartworm is spread by Mosquitos.

[BruceysMom]

Just because you don't see many or even any skeeters, you should still have your dog tested and on preventative. It only takes one bite and it's hard to catch the symptoms before the critical stage. Many dogs have been cured but most people tell me (I'm a dog groomer and a former vet tech) that their dogs are never the same.

[DaGman]

I think heartworm meds are a scam. Just a way for the vet to shake you down. They make big bucks off this stuff. I've never seen a young dog die of heart worms. I've seen old dogs with heart worms that were going to die anyway. Maybe their lives were a year or two shorter because of the worms. Heart worm meds don't guarantee longevity.

[LdSentinal]

Yes, it's better to be safe than sorry.

A dog afflicted with heartworms should be prevented at all costs.

[blam]

My dogs (click on my name to see) have taken heart worm pills every month for their entire lives. The oldest is now nine years old. We have loads of mosquitos here.

[nonliberal]

Get the dog vaccinated. Heartworm can come from something as simple as a mosquito bite.

[Slings and Arrows]

Ping!

[HairOfTheDog]

I think the need for heartworm meds must be regional.

I've always had well-vetted dogs, and I've never given mine heartworm meds, nor had a vet even mention it.

Yet I know heartworms are common in other areas.

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[RepoGirl]

Living in Florida, mosquitos are a way of life, and they often get in the house. My pup spends most of her time in the house, but I still give her her HW meds.

They also guard against a number of parasites and nasty things that dogs can pick up by eating refuse, or drinking in rain puddles, etc.

It's worth it.

[I_saw_the_light]

Revolution is a topical heartworm treatment. also takes care of intestinal worms, fleas, ticks and earmites as well as mange. I order it from australia over the net prescription free. and reasonably priced, I might add. The package insert states you can use it on an untested dog, but I had mine tested first.

[mplsconservative]

Please tell your friend to have their dog tested for heartworm and put it on heartworm meds.

Here in Minnesota, dogs also get a lyme disease test and vaccination. Wherever there are deer ticks, the possibility of lyme disease exists.

We have two dogs, and our annual vet visits are'nt cheap (around $350 for both), but it's worth the peace of mind knowing they're protected from such nasty stuff.

[Vermonter]

I'm looking at a $400+ bill right now for a rescue dog I took in who was initially heartworm free, but now is positive. (it's possible the first test didn't catch them as he's been on the pills since we got him)

The treatment is two heavy duty shots followed by a month of no activity at all due to the now dead worms breaking up and possibly causing clots in the lungs and killing the dog.

So, in my mind, the pills are cheap insurance to prevent this.