[hsmomx3]

We don't have mosquitoes out here.

[righthand man]

Need to have the dog checked by a vet. before starting meds. I use 1 cc of ivermectin on large dogs once a month , takes care of the heart worms and other worms in the digestive track.

your lucky on the skeeters

[elli1]

Found this:

The incidence of heartworm in Arizona is low, but increasing. There have been more than 600 cases of heartworm reported in Arizona in the last 4 years, and most of these cases have been in dogs that have never been outside Arizona. As infected dogs move into our area and as our mosquito population grows, so does the risk of heartworm infection.

Tuscon Valley Animal Hospital

And this:

There is a low incidence of heartworm in Peoria due to the fact that heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and most areas of Phoenix don't have many mosquitoes. However, heartworm is very prevalent in many other parts of Arizona and the U.S. and has been showing up in the valley. If you are travelling or if you have seen mosquitoes in your area, we recommend the use of the "once a month" heartworm preventative (Heartguard Plus). A blood test is recommended to check to make sure your dog is free from heartworm now.

Peoria Vet

Hope this helps.

[AnAmericanMother]

If you don't have any mosquitos at all in your area, check with your vet to make sure it's o.k. not to use the heartworm meds.

If there are even "just a few" mosquitos, it's a terrible risk. The treatment is expensive, risky, and time-consuming, and many dogs are "never right afterwards," even if the cure is successful. Heartworm infestation is very debilitating and can cause permanent heart and lung damage.

A friend of mine is a member of the local Golden Retriever rescue foster team. She just got the cutest little year-old Golden who was found as a stray. He had a heavy heartworm infestation, and the treatment is awful! He has to stay in a crate all day and be hand-walked only, because if he jumps or runs a piece of worm might break off in his heart and kill him. He is going to have to stay in the crate for 4 weeks, then he'll be re-tested and if he still comes up positive, they'll have to continue the treatment for another 2 weeks, then test again, etc. Some of them wind up being confined to a crate for 12 weeks or more. Imagine how awful that is for an active young dog who's crazy to run and jump and play and chase tennis balls!

My dog gets the chewable meds EVERY month without fail. I don't want her heart to wind up looking like this: