Dog Community

Heartguard

Posted : 9/25/2006 4:04:56 PM

I am wondering if Heartguard is needed during the colder/winter months? I give both dogs Heartguard throughout the spring and summer months, but since it protects against mosquito-born illnesses and being in southern Wisconsin, mosquitos are nearly gone now and I have one more to give them tonight. Then, I'm out until I either buy more for the fall/winter months or wait until April.

paulaedwina

Posted : 9/25/2006 4:09:52 PM

ORIGINAL: JoeyBear

I am wondering if Heartguard is needed during the colder/winter months? I give both dogs Heartguard throughout the spring and summer months, but since it protects against mosquito-born illnesses and being in southern Wisconsin, mosquitos are nearly gone now and I have one more to give them tonight. Then, I'm out until I either buy more for the fall/winter months or wait until April.

The only reasons I keep them on all year are;
1. We don't have a hard enough freeze in PA to trust that all the mosquitoes are dead.
2. To maintain the habit.
3. So I don't have to pay for a vet visit and blood draw to get them back on it in the thaw.

Paula

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 9/25/2006 7:26:49 PM

Those are pretty much the same reasons I use it all year, too. Most of CA doesn't freeze and some years spring, along with warm weather & skeeters, comes pretty fast. We've even been known to have some unseasonably warm winters. I really don't want to be caught without it. That would mean going back to the vet for another heartworm test - once a year is enough.

Joyce

Stephanie Book

Posted : 9/25/2006 11:26:50 PM

I thought the same thing, I didn't think I needed to keep Cassidy on Heartgard during the winter months, but the summer after I did that, she got roundworms and I had to pay for her treatment and medicine for that. We also almost missed our training classes because of it [>:] The Vet said that if she had been on Heartgard all year round, then that would have prevented her from getting it. Also, it cost me more for the roundworm medicine than it would have to just do the Heartgard. So, I decided to give it to both dogs in the winter to prevent that from happening again. Also, when I buy the year's worth, I won't have to pay for the blood test the next time at the vet's.