How Important is Heartworm Preventative?

[ekfishlover2011]

My dad is trying to tell me its a waste of money to buy Heartgard for my new dog. My grandma is saying im going to kill my dog for treating him for something he doesnt have, and isnt listening to me when i keep saying its not a treatment its a preventative, all vets tell you to use it. I tell her Animal Cops complains how simple it is to prevent and yet 1000s of dogs die from heartworm every year from people who think its unimportant. But shes now yelling that im wasting my money and overdoing my dog care.

Do other dog owners on here use it or a similar medication? Is it important for a small Pennsylvanian dog, or can he do without it? I found a generic brand for him thats only going to be $40 for a years worth, which i think is a very good deal. But my family is making it a hassle to try to get it.

[Cliff]

Heart worm treatment is a preventative treatment for the virus that causes hart worms. There are very few places in North America when you do not have to worry about this. And all of those places are in Northern Canada.

When we lived in Louisville KY, I had my dogs vaccinated for hart worms (based on the advice of our vet) and nothing bad happened to them. They are healthy and happy dogs. If I am remembering correctly, the further south you go, the higher the risk of hart worms (but I could be remembering this wrong)

Perhaps you could get some info about from your vet to show your grandma. This would be no different than a vaccination for rabies, just preventative medican.

[Lady Hobbs]

In warmer climates, it should be used year around. In colder climates where there is a kill off of mosquitos, it's only needed during the summer months.

He should also get shots for parvo and other puppy diseases. I hope they don't think those are unnecessary, too.

[gabbyguppy]

Heartworm is a blood borne parasite carried by mosquitos.

If your dog has not been tested, make sure to have the Vet test BEFORE starting preventative.

[Crispy]

my mom is a vet. it is necessary!!

[Aeonflame]

If there is not a high incidence of heartworm or mosquitoes where you live, then it is not necessary... especially if the dog lives indoors. That being said, it is always better to err on the side of caution.

[SueD]

Prevention of heartworm is a much better route to take than trying to cure the disease later on if your dog should come down with it. The cure is not always successful. Please be a responsible owner and give your pet the care he/she should have. It's a small price to pay for a happy, healthy companion. I also provide my dogs with the vaccine for lyme disease, carried by ticks, as I saw the pain a neighbor's dog went through with this disease.

Best to follow your vet's advice.

[Trillianne]

You could.... take the dog to the vet for a check up, see where his records are for shots/etc and mention your concerns about heartworm to the doctor.

They would be the most informed and their opinion has the extra weight of having gone to medical school AND they may very well be able to take care of the issue while you are there. Thus negating any arguments about if you should or shouldn't in the future because it will then be handled, and by a professional at that!

[Rue]

Good grief ...YES. Treat your dog to prevent heartworm. Miserable parasite!

I don't have to treat where we live, since we just don't have an issue with the mosquitoes that carry the microfilaria...but when we lived in Ontario I treated my dogs.

[ekfishlover2011]

Okay thanks. My family is so stubborn to not listen to me or the vet, but when i show them that everybody on here says its needed and the page i found online about the importance of it and show her that there are 1-5 cases per reporting clinic in our area, she will shut up and let me take care of my dog. :)