I am boarding Kanga for a couple of days in April and they recommended her to have her heartworm and flea prevention meds. Is heartworm contagious? Is it started at a certain time of year? I guess we're off to the doctors for a RX. Also, for those who order over the internet is there a huge discount in price?
coxmandi
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Re: When do you start heartworm meds?
While treatment of canine heartworm disease is usually successful, prevention of the disease is much safer and more economical. There are a variety of options for preventing heartworm infection, including daily and monthly tablets and chewables, and monthly topicals. All of these methods are extremely effective and when the drugs are administered properly on a timely schedule, heartworm infection can be completely prevented.
Due to the temperature dependent nature of the heartworm life cycle, use of heartworm preventives may be considered seasonal in some of the northernmost parts of the United States. The heartworm preventive season which veterinarians will employ depends upon their knowledge of the heartworm life cycle, the transmission pattern in their region, and the individual client’s activity profile. Before starting a preventive program, all dogs that could possibly be infected with mature heartworms should be tested. http://www.heartwormsociety.org/CanineHeartwormInfo.htm
My vet told me that heartworm prevention should only be done after the dog is 1 yr old because for some reason puppies dont get heartworm.
This is incorrect. Puppies can get heartworm too. Preventative drugs can begin after 6-8 weeks of age. Do a google search and you'll see this.
Oops! I googled it and now I remember what the vet said... the test for heartworm is inconclusive when the puppy is less than 6 months old. But you can do a preventative.
Because of the life cycle of the heartworm,dogs are around 6 months of age before they will test positive on a blood test so pups should be on a heartworm preventative before that time.
