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by dragonfry on 05 May 2013 - 19:05
If you live north of the florida /georgia state line, you might be able to get away with not treating for HW half the year. But in florida it never gets cold enough to kill off the bugs. I've been gnawed alive in 40 degree weather down here because there swamp nearby. And in florida there is always swamp near by! And currently there are a very large number of dog owners just barely getting by that are skimping on things like shots, flea and worm meds, buying the cheapest food. Here is my local pool of heartworm contributors. I personally can't stand to keep dogs outside down here. All my dogs are house pets. And after working for a vet, i've seen the extent of the problem first hand.
And i've seen the dogs go through treatment first hand working there. I'ts no walk in the park to be treated for HW's let me tell you.
Fry
And i've seen the dogs go through treatment first hand working there. I'ts no walk in the park to be treated for HW's let me tell you.
Fry
by melba on 05 May 2013 - 20:05
Dragonfry, I concur. They were on HW and flea treatments year round. NC is better in that aspect as we have a reprieve from the horrible skeeters and fleas.
Melissa
Melissa
by CMills on 05 May 2013 - 20:05
I buy Ivermectin 1% liquid from Tractor Supply in 50ml bottles. I give it to all my dogs year round, to me it's WAY cheaper/easier to do prevention than pay for treatment. the 50ml bottle is like less than $40 and just give 0.1cc per 10# per vet recommended dosage. this bottle will treat all 7 of my dogs for a year. so a 50# dog will get .5ml, a 70# dog gets .7ml, and a 100# dog gets 1ml.
by vonissk on 05 May 2013 - 20:05
Having worked at a vet clinic, I've seen it too. It was awful. Even though it does get cold here in the wnter--depending on what you call cold--I have seen it 10 below here, but I still give it. As CMills says it's cheap. Also my dogs are indoor/outdoor dogs--right now I only have 3 over here and they have a doggy door so they are apt to get bit as one that does stay out all year..................And in my post, I said whenever I go in; I'd say everybody gets checked about every 2.5 years. When my puppies go home they get a little dose too just to get them started. I also use that to explain to customers how very important it is.
by fawndallas on 06 May 2013 - 13:05
Thank you everyone for this information. I was kind of in a panic when Baron got the news, so I did not ask too many questions of my vet.
At this time, it is best that I do not post what preventive I was using, as I am in the process of submitting a claim. It appears that it is not the most popular preventive.
Thank you again.
At this time, it is best that I do not post what preventive I was using, as I am in the process of submitting a claim. It appears that it is not the most popular preventive.
Thank you again.
by Xeph on 07 May 2013 - 04:05
Your dog is going to live with those worms for the next 7 to 9 years.
This is a gross exaggeration. They've been shown to live up to 5 years. I am, most unfortunately, going though this right now. I have one dog who came to me as an older puppy (7 months) and just recently tested HW positive....I'm shocked. She is just a year old.
We will be opting for the slow kill method. She is young, easy to keep quiet, and the likelihood of a heavy worm load is low.
My other four dogs are negative.
Sucks balls.
Also, mosquitos cannot transmit the worms if it is below 57 degrees (farenheit)
This is a gross exaggeration. They've been shown to live up to 5 years. I am, most unfortunately, going though this right now. I have one dog who came to me as an older puppy (7 months) and just recently tested HW positive....I'm shocked. She is just a year old.
We will be opting for the slow kill method. She is young, easy to keep quiet, and the likelihood of a heavy worm load is low.
My other four dogs are negative.
Sucks balls.
Also, mosquitos cannot transmit the worms if it is below 57 degrees (farenheit)
by dragonfry on 07 May 2013 - 11:05
ok i was a little off
"Offspring can be detected in the blood (pre-patent period) about six to seven months after the infective larvae from the mosquito enter the dog. The male heartworms (four to six inches in length) and the females (10-12 inches) become fully grown about one year after infection, and their life span in dogs appears to average up to five to seven years."
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/canine-heartworm.html
Very informative site.
Fry
"Offspring can be detected in the blood (pre-patent period) about six to seven months after the infective larvae from the mosquito enter the dog. The male heartworms (four to six inches in length) and the females (10-12 inches) become fully grown about one year after infection, and their life span in dogs appears to average up to five to seven years."
http://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/canine-heartworm.html
Very informative site.
Fry
by fawndallas on 07 May 2013 - 13:05
Doesn't it though Xeph? My heart sunk when I got the test results back. None of my dogs ever had heart worms before and I never really researched the issue.
Based on my understanding, the biggest fear when killing them is that the worms dislodge and result in something that can kill the dog. If that is true, from a logic stand point, I would think a slow kill method is the safest for the dog.
Based on my understanding, the biggest fear when killing them is that the worms dislodge and result in something that can kill the dog. If that is true, from a logic stand point, I would think a slow kill method is the safest for the dog.
by Xeph on 08 May 2013 - 06:05
Embolisms. Little blood clots form from the worms dying and floating into the blood stream. That is why the dog must be kept quiet. It happens regardless of whether you do slow or fast kill. I was convinced to go ahead and use the immiticide....I'm not thrilled, regardless.
Luckily, there were no microfilaria in my girl's blood, so a couple of adults just snuck by. Her heart overall looks good, infestation is very low.
Good luck.
Luckily, there were no microfilaria in my girl's blood, so a couple of adults just snuck by. Her heart overall looks good, infestation is very low.
Good luck.
by VKGSDs on 08 May 2013 - 10:05
I live in Michigan and typically use preventative April - November. I test all my dogs annually in April before we resume preventative. I use liquid 1% ivermectin dosed based on the weight of the dog and given orally. I don't have the exact formula in front of me but my 70lb dogs get about .25cc and I belive that's about *eight times* stronger than a Heartgard tablet.
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