For example, if you live in an area where mosquitoes don't come out until June, then it is not necessary to
begin heartworm preventative in March, nor to give it year round.
All animals shall
begin heartworm preventative beginning at 2 months of age.
And serious health issues can occur in dogs with a pre-existing heartworm infection if
they begin a heartworm preventative routine, so follow your veterinarian's advice and have your dog tested for heartworms regularly.
Your dog should always be tested for heartworms before
beginning any heartworm preventative treatment.
It is required a dog be tested prior to
beginning any heartworm preventative.
Not exact matches
Giving them to your dog all year long and
beginning giving them at 8 - 9 weeks of age (when the parasite is still in its L4 stage and most susceptible monthly
preventatives - see the graph above) is the best way to prevent
heartworms or the possibility of resistance.
According to Dr. Wallace Graham, president of the American
Heartworm Society, puppies should
begin preventatives at six to eight weeks of age.
Serious health issues can occur in dogs with a pre-existing
heartworm infection if they
begin to take a routine
heartworm preventative.
If you plan to give «
preventatives,» test before
beginning medication, preferably within a month of when daily temperatures consistently climb above 57 ˚ F. Read more at the
Heartworm Society Serology section.
Over the last few years many different companies have
begun marketing various products as
heartworm preventatives.
All dogs that come into MHCSR are vet checked, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and treated for any medical conditions and put on
heartworm preventative before the adoption process
begins.
It is also important for your veterinarian to ensure your pet does not have
heartworms before
beginning or renewing a
preventative prescription.
We address any health concerns or issues that may arise and
begin a healthy program with proper nutrition,
preventative flea and
heartworm care, grooming, and bring them current on all required vaccinations.
As a
heartworm preventative, this medication is given once a month,
beginning within a month after the pet's first exposure to mosquitoes.
At 12 weeks old, your puppy's is old enough to
begin using monthly
heartworm preventative medication, a prescription maintained by a annual negative
heartworm test.
On this map,
heartworm risk is shown by the month when the use of
heartworm preventatives should
begin.
«A reliable, affordable, fast - acting
heartworm antigen test is an important tool for our clinic,» said Christopher Alvey, BS, DVM, of Bridge Mill Animal Hospital in Canton, Ga. «When clients can receive the results of their pets» test while still in our clinic, it makes it easier for us to dispense a
heartworm preventative or to
begin treatment for affected animals.
If you can't afford to treat your dog's
heartworm, you should still either
begin or continue a strict regimen of
preventative care.