Puppies And Heartworms

[EricB]

Hi

This is a great forum and I have been reading for days on all the puppy issues. Thank you!

We have an 11 week old boxer and at 10 weeks we gave him Drontal worming for pups.

I have heard conflicting things about heartworming.

The next worming we are using is Sentinel Spectrum.

I have read that if the dog is older than 6mth he needs to be tested for heart worm before using the tablets.

By that I would think that at 11 weeks he would be ok to start Sentinel without testing?

But on the Sentinel box is says to have the dog tested before use.

Is this more for older dogs?

Is it ok for dogs under 6mths because it take some time for heartworm to effect the dog?

Cheers

Eric

[Jed]

Yes, it will be safe to begin him on heartworm treatment without a blood test for heartworm.

After the infective mosquito bites the dog, it takes approx 16 weeks for the microfilarea to grow in to worms, and it is the worms which do the damage.

So, even if he was bitten the day he was born by an infected mosquito (ie, one which has previously bitten a dog with heartworm), it will be 16 weeks before any worms develop.

I suggest to my puppy buyers that they commence heartworm treatment at 12 weeks.

[EricB]

Excellent sounds like good timing.

Nice looking boxer you have there

[Guest doggydo]

My girl had her treatment at 12 weeks. She is fine but not sure if she was ever bitten by a mossy.