Do you give your pets Heartworm Preventatives

[guatemama07]

I use Trifexis for flea/heartworm prevention. I would not even fathom not giving this to my dog living in South Carolina. No way do I want to risk HW, and it works great as to fleas...have yet to see a flea on my boy.

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by Lazy Acres

The risk is not worth the absolute, indisputable harm these meds do to our dogs.
...
If you look at the stats, most who are infected are either already on meds or are rescue dogs. Their circumstances have left them highly stressed, poorly fed and open to infection.
100% not worth the risk and we should be very scared for what these meds are doing to dogs on a genetic level.........criminal

Are you saying that healthy dogs do not get parasites?

What are these drugs doing on a genetic level? How are they changing a dog's DNA?

Could you please provide peer reviewed articles, studies, etc to explain what you posted?

[Jax08]

On some thread somewhere, someone noted the use of wormwood for HW as a safe alternative. Not sure if black walnut was listed as well.

Per this site, wormwood is not a safe alternative
Natural Heartworm Preventative Treatment Helps Prevent Canine Heartworm

[quote]Wormwood has been known to depress the central nervous system and can cause mind-altering changes leading to psychosis when used over long periods of time (usually months). Black Walnut was found to be a high allergen causing hives and other types of allergies.[/quote]

If you are going to use a holistic/natural alternative, please research the ingredients and make sure the dosage is safe. "Natural" does not equal safe with no side affects.

[DollBaby]

I use Advantage Multi in the mosquito ridden South. Per my vet, it's the only HW preventative that hasn't been broken through (by HW's). Should it ever be, Bayer will pay for the HW treatments

[EchoGSD]

All my girls get Heartguard monthly, all year long. Here in MI heartworm is not uncommon, so I don't take chances.

[Catpaw]

The boys get Sentinel.

[Bluecatdemoness]

Moreta was heavy heartworm positive when I got her, and where I came from in Florida we were heavy in to the "slow-kill" method as opposed to the "fast-kill" method. Yes, there are pros and cons with both, however I chose to go the slow-kill. She gets her Heartguard every month and a round of Doxycyline every other month. So far, so good. Retested her in September (6 months from when I got her in April), and she is now a med. pos.

[winger]

My Vet said Heartgard every month until told otherwise. SO this is what she gets.

[gsdlover91]

Yes - every month all year long. Do not want to risk it with that parasite. Rather pay the ~100$ or so a year than have to pay for treatment for heart worm and have my puppy go through that.

[TAR HEEL MOM]

Absolutely without fail. Both of mine get Trifexis monthly. We used to say it wasn't neccessary year round here in theo mountains of WNC, but more and more dogs are testing positive. I see them in my shelter all the time.