linda~lou
Pearl Clutcher
Keep calm and eat crumpets
Posts: 2,744
Location: Motown but my heart is in San Francisco
Jun 25, 2014 21:57:08 GMT
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Post by linda~lou on Aug 6, 2014 18:29:12 GMT
Oh hugs to you and your baby!
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Post by spitfiregirl on Aug 6, 2014 19:21:56 GMT
I did when we lived in Texas but now we are in so cal. I haven't seen a mosquito since I got here 3 years ago. I spoke with two vets and one said no need and the other said heartworms are very rare here. This was just last week, so I opted out. If I travel to northern cal with my dogs, I will get them tested and on meds before we go.
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Post by giatocj on Aug 6, 2014 19:41:40 GMT
Oh hugs to you and your baby! Thank you. We are crossing all our fingers, toes and eyeballs that everything comes back normal...any alternative does not even bear thinking about.
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Post by Merge on Aug 6, 2014 20:07:33 GMT
I just spent $47 for six months of Sentinel (flea, tick and heartworm) on 1800petmeds. For a 48-lb dog.
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kma
Junior Member
Posts: 85
Jun 29, 2014 13:58:23 GMT
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Post by kma on Aug 7, 2014 0:15:02 GMT
Yes we keep them on it year round here. I never quite knew how horrible heartworm disease is until I was asked to foster a heartworm positive dog. I went and looked up the information after they told me what we needed to do with him and it's a horrible disease. My dogs will never be off of it again.
I am currently fostering a 2 year old black lab. He tested positive for heartworms. He had to get painful injections to kill off the worms. He has to be crated pretty much 24/7 for 30 days. If he gets rambunctious the worms will go to his heart to the blood supply and cause him to have a heart attack. It's really gross and easily prevented.
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lisasahm
Junior Member
Basement cat is easily annoyed.
Posts: 81
Jul 10, 2014 23:08:59 GMT
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Post by lisasahm on Aug 7, 2014 0:37:20 GMT
Yes to the test and the preventative meds for the dog. The cats - no, they are indoor only. It's interesting hearing everyone's POV on this.
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Post by shannoots on Aug 7, 2014 1:20:59 GMT
It's interesting because I thought if they were on Heartgard all year, they didn't have to be tested. However, it has been several years since we last had a dog so maybe it has changed. With our new puppy, they told us as long as she started before she was 7 months, we didn't have to test her. She is currently on it but I have thought about taking her off of it during the winter....now I'm not so sure.
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linda~lou
Pearl Clutcher
Keep calm and eat crumpets
Posts: 2,744
Location: Motown but my heart is in San Francisco
Jun 25, 2014 21:57:08 GMT
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Post by linda~lou on Aug 7, 2014 1:49:01 GMT
It has been so enlightening to read everyone's response. I've learned much. Thank you everyone for your input!
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Post by whipea on Aug 7, 2014 2:21:45 GMT
Yes, I had my Lhasa tested every year when he had his shots and did the preventative every month. Of course, I live in mosquito heaven also. Same here. Every year, the whole gang. The vet will not refill the preventative without the annual test.
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Post by peace on Aug 7, 2014 2:37:26 GMT
I would HATE to have my dog get sick and have been able to prevent it SO I do get all three of them checked every year and meds every month. I wish it was so pricey but it's all in the cost of doggy maintenance. I'm in NE ohio, btw
PS- my sister's dog YEARS ago died from heart worm even WITH the preventative meds.
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Post by chlerbie on Aug 7, 2014 3:12:33 GMT
My last vet didn't require a yearly test--as long as I was confident that my dog WAS treated every month and that I didn't miss any months, etc. My new vet is a bit more stringent about it. I'd brought my dog in for being lethargic and she insisted on testing her, which did come up, thankfully, negative. Drawing the blood for the test is really traumatic for my dog and I'd really rather they tested her every other year, though I know, too, that cases are increasing in my area. She is on Heartguard and I plan to definitely keep that up with her throughout her life.
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Post by alexa11 on Aug 7, 2014 6:54:09 GMT
Yes, Louis is on preventative and he's tested yearly. He lives inside, but I just feel better knowing he's ok!
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~Susan~
Pearl Clutcher
You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
Posts: 3,259
Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on Aug 7, 2014 13:35:16 GMT
Another thing to consider is mosquitoes can get in your house and all it takes is one bite. I just don't want to take that chance.
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Post by Basket1lady on Aug 7, 2014 18:21:34 GMT
I just had this link come across my Facebook feed from my vet. I never knew that a heart worm positive dog could be an eventual source for other dogs in the neighborhood. You learn something new every day... Heartworm Society Link
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linda~lou
Pearl Clutcher
Keep calm and eat crumpets
Posts: 2,744
Location: Motown but my heart is in San Francisco
Jun 25, 2014 21:57:08 GMT
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Post by linda~lou on Aug 7, 2014 18:32:59 GMT
Thanks for that link. That was interesting info!!!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 8, 2024 0:23:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2014 19:03:39 GMT
Our vet told us that heartworm prevention meds also help prevent diseases such as hookworm.
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