Rec your heart worm meds

[Deleted]

I failed as a pet owner and didn't realize my dog should have been on heart worm meds.

Obviously, I need to get her on them ASAP. I'm a little overwhelmed with all of the choices. I don't know if this matters, but she's on k9 advantix II flea meds.

She's a 2 year old corgi/terrier mix about 27lbs.

Thanks!

[donnamartingraduat]

She needs to go the vet first to make sure she is negative for HW before she starts taking a preventative! Taking the preventative if she is already HW positive can be deadly. Plus, if she is documented as HW negative now, and later contracts it while on the medication, the manufacturer will typically pay for the treatment.

We use HeartGuard.

ETA: I originally listed flea/tick med -- correct now!

[fayeelle]

HWP can absolutely be overwhelming! A couple of questions I have for you would be what are you looking for....convenience? cost? route of administration? Those are all things to consider.

For example - if your dog is super picky and won't eat anything or swollows treats/food whole then Heartgard isn't the best choice (HAS to be chewed or it will pass through the digestive system intact making it ineffective).

If you are looking for something more conveinient, like an all in one I would suggest switching to Revolution (topical) or Trifexis (oral). Both prevent fleas, heartworms and some intestinal parasites. You can get Revolution w/out a heartworm test (our office doesn't require it, exam required yearly though) because it is safe to use in heartworm positive, pregnant and nursing dogs.

Interceptor is also a good choice if you want to go the oral route and it covers heartworms, rounds, hooks and whips. Sentinel is the "sister" product and is Interceptor w/ a flea "birth control" which helps control fleas in your immediate environment.

And don't beat yourself up about the heartworm thing. Its much less common in the Seattle area. I was shocked when I moved here from FL and it wasn't discussed or recommended as much. But I commonly get reports from our outside lab and Western Washington has a much lower rate of heartworm positive dogs than other areas of the US and even the state. Regardless, keeping my dog (and cats for that matter since they get heartworms too, only there isn't a heartworm treatment available for them sadly) on a heartworm prevention is something I will always do.

If I can be of anymore help let me know. I can talk about this stuff all day!

[AngGee]

I'm just a lurker but wanted to add, my daughters dog, her baby, got heart worms with never missing a dose. She's going thru treatment now, poor pup. Oh and we live in the south.

[Deleted]

I just ordered some Revolution. Thanks, fayeelle!

I didn't even think about heartworms till this board. The vet has never mentioned anything to me and none of my friends have their dogs on meds either. It does seem a little scary though.

Thanks everyone!

[fayeelle]

Anytime
And yeah, heartworm disease isn't something to mess with. Its fatal if not treated and the treament is expensive and taxing on the animals. I've had 2 dogs that underwent treatment when I was back home. $1k a piece and they had to stay calm for like, 3 months which was torture to them. Both did great and have been since. But if its preventable then do it for sure.