Alison Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Does anyone from Southern VIC take a break in their heartworm prevention over the winter period? I have to take my 10 month old puppy off all chemicals for a few months. From everything i have read, it seems to be relatively safe to do as long as the temperature doesn't stay above 13 degrees for an entire 3 week period, day and night, which is highly unlikely around here for quite some time. I am planning on putting him on a homeopathic remedy for the next few months just to be sure. Any info appreciated. Also.... does anyone know the heartworm prevelance in South East VIC? I can find Eastern, but nothing about Southern VIC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TangerineDream Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I don't ever take my dogs off heartworm...although unlikely - all you need is one rogue mozzie.....I'm not game to miss more than 1 night a week....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucknow Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I got several mozzie bites last night in my workplaces unheated stable area (we are in SE Melb). Also, quite a high proportion of foxes in Melbourne are believed heartworm positive so I am personally not happy to take the risk. Having said that my dogs don't have any health problems giving me any dillemas. Good luck with your decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellz Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I personally wouldn't. And in fact, even though Tasmania is considered to be heartworm free, I'm considering beginning heartworm treatments on my dogs for a couple of reasons. Firstly because I will more than likely start travelling to shows on the mainland again within the next 12 months and secondly because with the way our seasons are changing it seems quite possible that the mozzie may become more of a problem here in Tassie in future summers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alison Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 Its not a question of whether or not mozzies bite during winter, but the heartworm larvae cannot survive if the temperatue drops below 13 or 14 degrees and the whole process needs to start again, sorry if i confused you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucknow Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Its not a question of whether or not mozzies bite during winter, but the heartworm larvae cannot survive if the temperatue drops below 13 or 14 degrees and the whole process needs to start again, sorry if i confused you. Sorry, are you saying if an infected dog is bitten that the microfilaria will not survive to infect another dog? Or that they will not migrate to the heart? Am I missing something here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alison Posted July 28, 2008 Author Share Posted July 28, 2008 "While the larvae are developing in the mosquito, development continues only when the temperature is above 64 degrees F. Further, the temperature MUST remain above 57 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, day and night during the entire mosquito cycle. If at any time during the development into the L3 stage, the temperature drops below 57 F, the development is aborted and must start over." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leema Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 Yes it is safe. And apparently it is also safe to wait 45 days inbetween treatment when temp is higher, instead of 30-31 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted July 28, 2008 Share Posted July 28, 2008 I don't ever take my dogs off heartworm...although unlikely - all you need is one rogue mozzie.....I'm not game to miss more than 1 night a week....... Do you mean the daily tabs? It's really dangerous to miss one day on the dailies and continue without testing.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I personally wouldn't.And in fact, even though Tasmania is considered to be heartworm free, I'm considering beginning heartworm treatments on my dogs for a couple of reasons. Firstly because I will more than likely start travelling to shows on the mainland again within the next 12 months and secondly because with the way our seasons are changing it seems quite possible that the mozzie may become more of a problem here in Tassie in future summers. Mine are on Sentinel Spectrum - monthly - all year round for the same sorts of reasons. We go to the mainland at least twice a year. Another advantage of the Sentinel Spectrum is that it has the required dose of Praziquantal to satisfy the hydatids worming requirements for bringing the dogs back into Tasmania. I've had no problems with the dogs on this - been using it for a couple of years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I didnt know heartworm was prevalent in Melbourne, especially my area. (North West) I might get my two tested for heartworm, and then start them on a preventative if necessary. How much is the heartworm testing, does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 heartworm testing should only be about $20-$30 dollars. Vets should have a Simplify test which needs a drop of blood adn takes 5 minutes. Yes it is in Melbourne ... the unfortunate thing is people travel and bring back infected dogs so assume it will be around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 Foxes would also carry it right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~*Shell*~ Posted July 29, 2008 Share Posted July 29, 2008 I've heard that foxes can carry it. We've been told that if we're going to take Zero into the nature sanctuary near us (lots of foxes in there!) we should have him totally vaccinated and flea and heartworm protected because the foxes carry most of the problems domestic dogs can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 (edited) heartworm testing should only be about $20-$30 dollars. Vets should have a Simplify test which needs a drop of blood adn takes 5 minutes.Yes it is in Melbourne ... the unfortunate thing is people travel and bring back infected dogs so assume it will be around. Thanks Nekhbet, I will get in for an appt at the vets then for testing. ETA: For the dogs, not me. Edited July 30, 2008 by Cazablanca Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now