In SC, dog owners give their dogs meds for heartworms continuously. Or so it is my understanding.

[raccoon]

When did this begin? And, do dog owners in other states do this too, or does it depend on where they are?

[CanonRay]

1. We give her a pill once a month.

If you stop, they have to be re-tested before you can start again, is my understanding.

[vt_native]

2. My dog was rescued, he came from Alabama

He was heartworm positive.

I still keep him on heartguard.

[taterguy]

3. When the makers of heartworm pills said to do it

We do whatever our corporate masters tell us to do.

[Zax2me]

7. Heartworm is a problem for pets, especially in warmer climates.

Put down the protest signs and protect your pet.
Everything isn't a conspiracy for corporations and 'the man'

[taterguy]

13. That's just what 'The Man' wants you to believe

The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing people he didn't exist.

[Snake Alchemist]

16. I blame "The Dog". nt

[mrs_p]

17. No, seriously, heartworms can kill

they are not the boogeyman. There are areas of the country where they are not a problem (because the vector is not there). But, if the vector is in your region, why not protect your pet?

warning - video of heartworms:

&feature=related

edit: trying to get the preview off - anyone know how to do?

[Ship of Fools]

26. Yes they can kill!

The saddest part of it all, imo, is that apparently they can be completely eradicated, according to an old vet
we used to take our labs to here in Kansas. He went into a rant one afternoon about how the pet pharma
industry could wipe them out, but heartworm meds are so lucrative for them. He was livid about it.

[mrs_p]

27. Did the vet elaborate?

I ask in all sincerity as a vet student and a grad student in micro. Did he think they could get rid of the vectors or find a way to kill off the heartworm itself? I wonder if introducing irradiated organisms would work like it did for the screwworm. Or maybe he was thinking widespread use of larvaecide would eventually eradicate the worm. Hmm...

[Ship of Fools]

28. Sorry -- this was 25 years ago

and, no, he just ranted ... but I do remember him basically saying that
the public was being scammed ...

[TheWraith]

29. Yeah, I'll call bullshit on that. nt

[Ship of Fools]

35. Ahh. The Wraith. And you have info to prove him wrong?

Dr. Wempe was in his 70s and still maintained a small vet clinic.
People had been going to him for years. A very intelligent and respected vet.
I believed him, and you can keep your bullshit to yourself, tyvm.

[Ship of Fools]

30. He was an old country vet, highly revered around here.

I met two other vets over the years who said that he had
inspired them to go into the practice. He was a crusty ol' bastard
but knew the business!

[trumad]

23. Don't let the poster above rile you...

He, she, or it ---is a serial protagonist with very little to offer.

[Raven]

4. May - Dec here in NH

My dogs are tested each year in April before the treatment begins.

[hlthe2b]

5. That has been the recommendation for decades in the southeast....

given the (general) lack of truly cold winters assuring kill off of mosquitoes. Increasingly veterinarians are recommending this for other areas as well, if "winter die off" is less than assured.

[xchrom]

6. i keep my dogs on heartguard. nt

[Solly Mack]

8. My dogs take it monthly and did so on both sides of the pond.

Every month. Every year they are tested.

Heartworm meds used to be given daily until about 20 or so years ago.

[Honeycombe8]

9. Geez...this started decades ago. They do it in TX & Louisiana. Been giving my dogs...

a heartworm pill monthly for as long as I can remember. If you've ever had a dog with heartworms, you'd understand why. I found a rescue over a decade ago. Turned out he had heartworms. The cure is uber expensive, and once cured, it has done damage to the heart. The cure gets them really sick, too. Dogs down here will get heartworms if they're outside much at all, unless they take a preventative. It's spready by mosquitos.

My babies aren't gonna get any heartworms, if I have anything to say about it! I also use the Frontline applicating stuff on them monthly for flea control (fleas here are horrible and rampant). I have two healthy, happy babies! A bit chubby, maybe, but otherwise healthy.

[patricia92243]

10. In NC, once a month per vet's instructions. n/t

[TorchTheWitch]

24. In PA, ditto

It isn't mandatory like rabies vaccines, but it's always been recommended by vets to use the monthly preventative. Why would anyone take the risk of their dog getting heartworms when it's so easy to give them the preventative?

The only problem that I have with the chewable Heartguard monthly pills is that they are apparently so yummy that doggie wants more and a lot more often. I'd actually prefer if it was a pill rather than something he thinks is merely a treat. I feel like a meanie that I can only give him one and only once a month.

[pipi_k]

11. Massachusetts...

Once a month, all year long.

They get tested once a year, and get a new one year supply.

[get the red out]

12. Once a month here in KY

No one heard of such a thing back in the sticks, where I grew up in the 70s, but now, here in civilization (Central Kentucky) vets recommend it monthly. They have actually been recommending it in the sticks for some time now as well. I thought it was something that had become just "what you do" in the modern era of pet ownership.

We have bad mosquitos here, and winter isn't nearly as cold as it used to be, so we give our dog heart worm every month no matter what. I do skip on the topical flea medication in the winter months, but will put that back on her in early spring.

[leveymg]

14. Prevention sure beats heartworms and the heartworm cure.

We had a beloved dog, a rescue from Virginia, who had heartworms when we adopted her. She almost died from the medication (mostly strychnine) used to kill heartworms. She survived, but it was close.

[MiniMe]

15. Once a month is the standard, especially in the south

I volunteer for a rescue, and we get so many of the strays in with heartworms. Most vets recommend dogs get the pills monthly. I give it to my dog monthly.

[mrs_p]

18. Depends on the region. The vector (mosquitoes)

injects the larvae into the animal when taking a bloodmeal. It can infect cats, too, with a worse prognosis for them, as the treatment is too harsh for their bodies. If you live in a region and have pets that go outdoors (though, I know of an indoor cat that got bit inside and died from heartworms), best to protect them. There are several preventatives. Bayer is also coming out with a advantage multi that includes protection form other parasites. There is also Interceptor and Heartguard, among many others.

Edit: Had to review my notes for this correction: No treatment for cats, that's why there is a poor prognosis. http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/11300.htm

[warrior1]

19. every month

my neighbor who didn't with his two dogs ended both getting worms in their hearts. So yes, it's necessary.

[surrealAmerican]

20. Here in Chicago ...

... it's April through December. The worms can't survive freezing conditions.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

21. Same with cats in southeastern states

They should have heartguard or Revolution monthly. Though heartworms are not as serious in cats as in dogs, a cat that has recovered from a heartworm can have serious damage to the heart as a result that will cause issues. They leave holes, fissures, cavities in the heart muscle. Best to keep them at bay.

If you live in the southeast U.S., I think you should keep your pets on heartworm meds year-round.

[undeterred]

22. Interceptor 12 months a year in Wisconsin

But I only did it during April through November when I lived in Illinois. Different vet- they feel it protects him better so I do it.

[TwilightGardener]

25. I gave my dog a chewable just yesterday, even though I was tempted

not to because there's snow on the ground--and then when I go in for a new pack in the spring, they won't sell me any until he's tested for heartworm, which = MORE money (and those chewables aren't cheap), because apparently giving a dog with heartworm anti-heartworms meds will kill him. Feel a little like I'm being scammed, but I don't dare NOT do it.

[Rex]

31. Ever had a dog die in front of you from heartworms?

One of the saddest moments of my life.

[xchrom]

32. +1

[Tx4obama]

33. My dog has had a heartworm pill EVERY month for the past nine years.

Down here in Houston it's normal.

I thought it was normal to do so everywhere.

To the OPer: What state are you in?

[magical thyme]

34. they recommend year round in the south because of the climate

Here in the north country, vets recommend heartworm 6 months of the year. In the spring we test for the disease before starting them on it. No problem with any bugs most winters.