Heartworm meds - YorkieTalk.com Forums

SamiNFurbabies · 11-23-2008, 06:20 AM

How many of you give heartworm meds in the winter?
I do---but I'm wondering if it is healthy or necessary? I mean to put all those chemicals in your dog---without there being a threat of mosquitos...I live in the midwest and it is bone chilling.

chachi · 11-23-2008, 06:27 AM

I dont give it in the winter. I never have

SamiNFurbabies · 11-23-2008, 07:41 AM

Thanks!
When do you stop it and when do you restart giving them it?
And do you take yours to the groomer---does that have any affect on your decision to (not) give heartworm meds? It may sound like a stupid question---but I take mine to the groomers and I don't want to risk anything.

chachi · 11-23-2008, 07:56 AM

I stop giving it in November and start giving it again in April. Mine also go to the groomers and it doesnt affect that. The only way they can get heartworm is from an infected mosquito and mosquitos arent out in the winter

Judy in Waco · 11-23-2008, 08:32 AM

It really depends on where you live. Check with your vet to make sure that heartworms are not an issue in your area. We live in Texas, and I can't even imagine not giving heartworm medication on a monthly basis to our yorkies year round. Heartworms are really bad in most places in the deep South, so please CHECK before you stop treatment for even a month. I would also recommend getting a heartworm test before you start back on the meds if you've stopped for any length of time.

Our vet did tell me something interesting the other day. He does not want Kandi on Frontline or any monthly flea preventative until we actually see fleas on her (which hopefully won't happen), but he does have her on a year round heartworm monthly medication.

Just FYI.

krisknr · 11-23-2008, 08:48 AM

Chachi is right. Also the average daily temp must be over 64 degrees for at least a month for the larvae to in the mosquito and be able to be transmitted. I live in Wisconsin so I don't worry about heart worm because the chances of my dogs getting it are really low. I just use some repellant if it has been hot out for a while. I do not give heart worm pills. I find it interesting That Vets don't give people this info and tell them to keep there dogs on it all year long. So you are putting unnecessary medication in to them. It seems to me many Vets care more about there wallets than your pet.

Judy in Waco · 11-23-2008, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krisknr

Chachi is right. Also the average daily temp must be over 64 degrees for at least a month for the larvae to in the mosquito and be able to be transmitted. I live in Wisconsin so I don't worry about heart worm because the chances of my dogs getting it are really low. I just use some repellant if it has been hot out for a while. I do not give heart worm pills. I find it interesting That Vets don't give people this info and tell them to keep there dogs on it all year long. So you are putting unnecessary medication in to them. It seems to me many Vets care more about there wallets than your pet.

While I definitely agree that a lot of vets might do this to make more money, there is the flip side. Many of them have also seen the devastating effects of heartworms on toy breeds. It just breaks your heart.

Ellie May · 11-23-2008, 09:10 AM

The good part of giving it year-round is that if your dog gets heartworms while on preventative and gets a test yearly, some companies will pay for treatment. That said, Ellie's last dose for hte year will be Novemeber 30 and we will start again in April.

Wrenee4 · 11-23-2008, 09:35 AM

We live in Michigan and although it gets very very cold in the winter our vet still suggests to give it all year. Just in case any hatch in your home or where you may take them. The cost of treating a dog that gets it OR what getting can do to the dog we decided that we will give it all year. My cousins dog got it and after treatment still coughed all of the time because it caused so much damage on her heart. It was so sad.

MauiGirl · 11-23-2008, 09:51 AM

Living in Hawaii with temps of 75-85 all year long, and mosquitoes thriving in moist places, I HAVE to give it every month. I've held off Tiki's dose this month due to liver issues being diagnosed, so I'm paying extra attention to lessen exposure to mosquitoes.

11-23-2008, 06:20 AM	#1
SamiNFurbabies YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: My House Posts: 517	Heartworm meds How many of you give heartworm meds in the winter? I do---but I'm wondering if it is healthy or necessary? I mean to put all those chemicals in your dog---without there being a threat of mosquitos...I live in the midwest and it is bone chilling. __________________ Chrissy, Izze (Yorkshire Terrier),Molly & Suzie (Toy Poodles), Chachi (Chihuahua)

11-23-2008, 06:27 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I dont give it in the winter. I never have __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

11-23-2008, 07:41 AM	#3
SamiNFurbabies YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: My House Posts: 517	Thanks! When do you stop it and when do you restart giving them it? And do you take yours to the groomer---does that have any affect on your decision to (not) give heartworm meds? It may sound like a stupid question---but I take mine to the groomers and I don't want to risk anything. __________________ Chrissy, Izze (Yorkshire Terrier),Molly & Suzie (Toy Poodles), Chachi (Chihuahua)

11-23-2008, 07:56 AM	#4
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I stop giving it in November and start giving it again in April. Mine also go to the groomers and it doesnt affect that. The only way they can get heartworm is from an infected mosquito and mosquitos arent out in the winter __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

11-23-2008, 08:32 AM	#5
Judy in Waco Gizzy & Kandi spoil me Donating Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Waco, Texas Posts: 8,477	It really depends on where you live. Check with your vet to make sure that heartworms are not an issue in your area. We live in Texas, and I can't even imagine not giving heartworm medication on a monthly basis to our yorkies year round. Heartworms are really bad in most places in the deep South, so please CHECK before you stop treatment for even a month. I would also recommend getting a heartworm test before you start back on the meds if you've stopped for any length of time. Our vet did tell me something interesting the other day. He does not want Kandi on Frontline or any monthly flea preventative until we actually see fleas on her (which hopefully won't happen), but he does have her on a year round heartworm monthly medication. Just FYI. __________________ The fullness of our heart is expressed in our eyes, in our touch, in what we write, in what we say, in the way we walk, the way we receive, the way we need. -Mother Teresa ( RIP Gizmo 3/9/07-8/18/12)

11-23-2008, 08:48 AM	#6
krisknr Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: WI Posts: 186	Chachi is right. Also the average daily temp must be over 64 degrees for at least a month for the larvae to in the mosquito and be able to be transmitted. I live in Wisconsin so I don't worry about heart worm because the chances of my dogs getting it are really low. I just use some repellant if it has been hot out for a while. I do not give heart worm pills. I find it interesting That Vets don't give people this info and tell them to keep there dogs on it all year long. So you are putting unnecessary medication in to them. It seems to me many Vets care more about there wallets than your pet.

11-23-2008, 09:10 AM	#8
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	The good part of giving it year-round is that if your dog gets heartworms while on preventative and gets a test yearly, some companies will pay for treatment. That said, Ellie's last dose for hte year will be Novemeber 30 and we will start again in April. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

11-23-2008, 09:35 AM	#9
Wrenee4 YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,048	We live in Michigan and although it gets very very cold in the winter our vet still suggests to give it all year. Just in case any hatch in your home or where you may take them. The cost of treating a dog that gets it OR what getting can do to the dog we decided that we will give it all year. My cousins dog got it and after treatment still coughed all of the time because it caused so much damage on her heart. It was so sad. __________________ ~Wendy~

11-23-2008, 09:51 AM	#10
MauiGirl Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7,740	Living in Hawaii with temps of 75-85 all year long, and mosquitoes thriving in moist places, I HAVE to give it every month. I've held off Tiki's dose this month due to liver issues being diagnosed, so I'm paying extra attention to lessen exposure to mosquitoes. __________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA