I don't know if I should give my dog the prevantive(sp) heartworm medications?

Since there are so many scares with food, vaccations etc for our furry companions I am trying to decide if I should go through with giving my dogs their heartworm prevantative medication, please let me know your thoughts. Thank you.

I don't know if I should give my dog the prevantive(sp) heartworm medications?
why w0udnt you give heartworm preventative? its the smartest thing you can do.





my exes dog died from heartworm and it was a slow death and the dog suffered needlessly. the ex was retarded by not giving the dog something so simple and inexpensive to save her life!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:It's a good idea to give your dogs heartworm medicine. As far as I know, there hasn't been a scare with pet medications such as these. It was a scare with petfood, because of the ingredients and the way they processed.





Heartworms are spread by mosquitos, when they take blood from an infected animal. They can transfer the heartworms to another animal, or human. Cats and humans can host heartworms, but our symptoms and reactions are different, and somewhat less detrimental.





It can be expensive to prevent heartworms in your dog; however, it can be even more expensive to treat, if you dog gets heartworms. It's a good idea to use a heartworm preventative.
Reply:Talk to your vet and get his best advice. If I lived in an area where heartworm occurs, I would definitely do it. Heartworm is a horrible disease for a dog to contract and it is a killer and I would never want my dog to get it.





I live in an arid climate where mosquitoes are uncommon and our vets have never seen a heartworm case in our area except for animals that have moved here recently, so animals here are not typically on preventative. But this is not the case is most parts of the US - if I traveled with my dog or moved elsewhere I would do it without a second thought.
Reply:These things are completely unrelated.





If you want your answer...ask your vet what the treatment would be for your dog if he got heartworms because you didn't treat him. It's not pretty.





DO NOT EVER give your dog heartworm preventative without having a heartworm test done first. You run the risk of killing your dog by giving the preventative if he already does have them.
Reply:If you dont' want to give your dog a pill then go with Revolution that is applied to the skin and prevents heartworm and also fleas, ticks, ear mites, sarcoptic mange and other stuff. It's a bargain and an insurance policy in my opinion. But it is your dog and in the end it all lies with u.
Reply:I do not understand why you wouldn't give a heartworm preventative. Just make sure you get the right one. Heartgaurd is bad for Collie breeds!
Reply:yes give your dog heartworm preventive just remember your dog has to be tested for heartworms first talk to your vet
Reply:No Brainer...Just consult with your vet as to the best kind for your specific dog!!
Reply:I agree with most everyone who answered yes, give them the meds. But it sounds to me like you have serious concerns.


I foster, and lots of times adopt dog that are put in shelters around my county that can not be easily placed into homes. All of my dogs are tested then put on heartworm treatment. So in order to help you decide, list the pros and cons. They usually make the decision for you.


Pros of giving the meds:


You know your dog is protected. Just ask your vet what is best for each breed you have.





By treating your dog monthly, you eliminate the possibility of a very expensive and very painful treatment.





Cons of not giving the meds:


gambling with your dog health, and possibly life.


The disease is very painful. Heartworms actually live and feed off your dogs heart. As they multipy, your dogs heart becomes weaker and weaker. In an effort to make up for the damage the worms are doing the heart enlarges. and without treatment, the end result is eventually death.


The treatment itself is very risky and not always sucessful in saving your dogs life. Not to mention very expensive.





If you are the type of person to whom an animal is just an animal, and the loss of an animal really does not affect you then you may not be botherd by this disease.





But, if you are the type of person who loves and cares for your dogs.....then not giving the medicine could turn out to be one of the worst mistakes you ever make. How will you cope with the having to make a decision that could kill your dog. And if your dog ever did end up with heartworms, could you make the decision to put your dog down if it became necessary.





Sorry to be so blunt and cold sounding. But unfortunately it is the truth. I have seen the effects that heartworms have any it is terribly sad.





If you do decide to treat them...make a list of concerns and questions to take with you to the vet. Then also talk to him about other treatment options. If you vet is familiar with also treating large breed livestock, ask about using the wormer ivermectin...its availabel OTC at feed supply stores. This is how I treat all my dogs. Just make sure you follow the dosing instructions you vet gives you and not what is on the label.

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