Helen, I've always used the daily Filarabits Plus also, but my vet told me a month or so ago that he can't get them anymore, so I'll need to change to a monthly heartworm preventive. I'm almost out of my Filarabits now, and I really like them better than monthly (easier to remember, plus Sunny thinks it's an extra treat).

If they're still available, I may research where I can get them.

Barbara

of the county (U.S) is heartworm more prevalent? Where does heartworm thrive? Does it generally die out in harsh winters, or how is it affected by climate? Are there any areas where it is NOT necessary to give hearworm preventative at all? I live in Southern California and give Daisy Sentinel once a month all year round. Thanks!

nm

n/m

heartworm disease is more common in the south...take a look here to see about your county, but it is not very common in california.
http://heartgard.us.merial.com/states/ca.asp

heartworms are spread by mosquito, they need certain temperatures for a prolonged period of time to complete their life cycle and infect a dog.

here is some good info:
http://www.bullovedbulldogs.com/heartworm.htm

hope that helped
liz

I am giving my Bullie Heartgard too. My Vet doesn't reccommend the shot because it doesn't cover other parasites. I guess I will give year round to be on the safe side as I don't want anything to happen to him.

We live in southern Louisiana, so we give heartworm medication year round. Heartguard protects against other parasites also, but I believe the shot doesn't.

nm

We give it year-round.

from April to October. I'm in Massachusetts.

merial's studies show that dosing every 60 days is just as effective as every 30 days.

"The target dose of 6 mcg per kilogram of bodyweight was selected from titration study 10855 as the lowest dose providing 100% protection when the dosing interval was extended to 60 days to simulate a missed-dose circumstance."
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/efoi/section1/138412030287.html

not that i think anything is 100% anyway, but thought you would be interested to read that. year round is really not necessary here in ny...nothing lived outside this winter! lol

liz

Here in the south, we don't skip a dose, of course heartworms in dogs is VERY common here. If we are on a border line weight, we go with the higher dose.

sorry about your friends dog, but she followed the directions? are you saying more is better? i'm not sure what you are disagreeing w/

liz

If you live in an area with heartworms, follow the directions. A friend of mine had a minature Sheltie that was 24 lb. She never missed a dose of the 25lb. and under, but her dog got heartworms. My boys are 50 lb, but Mag is 44 lb and I give them all 50 lb or over.

Liz, thanks for your advice. I am in Rochester, NY and the Vet says that this med also covers intestinal parasites that they are finding is passed on to humans. When I went to pick up the meds I only spoke to him briefly as Scooter is not due for his annual checkup until July. I plan on talking to him more in depth at that time about what I should do. Until then I will give the medication each month and go from there. My Bullie is 5 and thus far no health problems. He is a rescue and I have had him for almost a year so I don't know what was done in the past. I do know he is negative for heartworm and that is the way I want to keep him!

i live in putnam county, there were 4 cases of heartworm disease reported in 2001, and 21 in westchester county, where are you? these medications can have alot of side effects, so you need to decide for yourself if the risk is great enough to use them. if you do, you can use heartgard every 60 days with just as much efficacy as every 30 days. it is labeled every 30 for profit & convenience.

it takes certain temeratures for heartworms to survive & spred through mosquito, there is NO need for your dog to be on this medicaion yearly in this part of the country.

here is some good info:
http://www.bullovedbulldogs.com/heartworm.htm

just my opinion.
liz

Heartguard is better, but for those who may forget to give it or if they are late, then the shot is a better idea, expecially living in the south.