year round heartworm preventative?

I have kept my dogs on heartworm prevention all year round for many years. It alleviates the need for yearly testing. Now we test every two years.
One thing that many people don't know, certainly I didn't know for a long time, is that heart worm prevention works backwards, not forward. In other words, if you give your dog his dose on April 1, it takes care of what may have bit him the previous 30 days. Where we would all think that the April 1 dosage would be for April 1-30th.
 
I get the yearly shot for heartworm as do most people I know. I dont know anyone who has had a problem with the shots, other than Tully being queezy for a few hours after. Its much easier than remembering pills.

We dont get heartworm where I live but with travelling for competitions, being around interstate dogs during comps, and visiting my folks I find it easier to have year round protection.
 
missjenneygirl said:
I have kept my dogs on heartworm prevention all year round for many years. It alleviates the need for yearly testing. Now we test every two years.
One thing that many people don't know, certainly I didn't know for a long time, is that heart worm prevention works backwards, not forward. In other words, if you give your dog his dose on April 1, it takes care of what may have bit him the previous 30 days. Where we would all think that the April 1 dosage would be for April 1-30th.
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I learned that a couple of years ago, and I start June 1 with the prevention and run to November 1. If my dogs are on it faithfully each of the six months, then I only have to test every other year. That means Emma won't have to be tested next year, but I will with Liam because he will only have been on two doses and has not been tested this year.
 
So maybe I should just continue year round. I dont want to risk my dogs getting heartworm. My vet tests every year even though I give it year round. I wish he would test every other year that would save me a little off my bill, between the heartworm test and fecal test for worms it costs me $80 for 4 dogs every year! :eek2:
 
Just to chime in alittle. I give my dogs heartworm meds year round and they are tested yearly. It gets cold here also, but my feelings are, better safe than sorry as Doc Shelli said. The pills & test may be be somewhat expensive but it beats the alternative. Check with your vet on that cost. For me, preventive medicine is always better than the alternative. I don't want to wait until my dogs get sick and then treat them, I want to keep them from getting sick. You don't get a flu shot after you have already gotten the flu.
 
We're in Arkansas so it's year around for us, too. Our vet reccomends that we do a heartworm test every two years. He said some people want to test for it every year, but he doesn't suggest or make anybody do it yearly when I asked him about it. I did go ahead and get Smudge tested when he was one though. I'll wait until Fluffy is two to get her tested.

We're on year around flea treatment, too.
 
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Hello everyone ... talking about a heartworm medication... Cassie's vet switched her to Sentinel. It is so expensive! 6 pills cost $73.

Does any of your dog take Sentinel? Do you have a pet insurance? If you do how much does it cover your dog's medicine?

I forgot the policy of this insurance company, and do not remember how much they paid for Cassie's old medication. :(
 
Cassie'sMom said:
Hello everyone ... talking about a heartworm medication... Cassie's vet switched her to Sentinel. It is so expensive! 6 pills cost $73.

Does any of your dog take Sentinel? Do you have a pet insurance? If you do how much does it cover your dog's medicine?

I forgot the policy of this insurance company, and do not remember how much they paid for Cassie's old medication. :(
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Smudge is on Interceptor and Fluffy is on Sentinel. The Sentinel where I live is only a few dollars higher a box. I think it is around the price you are paying. I don't have insurance on my dogs.
 
I had Noah on Sentinel in the past and it was expensive if I remember correctly. I have both Emma and Liam on Revolution now. It is expensive. I have pet insurance but the coverage I have for Emma doesn't cover the medications.
 
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