Heartworm - A Little Stressed And Confused

[SeeGee]

Hi all,

Charlie (beagle, male, desexed, nearly one yrs old) got his heartworm injection with the breeder at 3 months, we were told we would have to do it again when he turns 1. This is on May 2nd. Now Vet has said he should have had it done at 9 of age months, and we are late. We are changing onto chews, so, as I thought we were still safe, I gave Charlie his first Interceptor.....then we saw vet for Mia (unrelated) and mentioned it and she said that we have done wrong. Now I'm confused. So to clarify -

Breeder said to renew heartworm via injection or chews (our choice) in 9 months (which comes up May 2nd). Vet says we should have renewed in 6 months (which was in Feb).

I have read conflicting informatioin, some saying 6 months , some saying 9 months. Can someone please clarify.

And as I have already given Charlie the Interceptor, should I be concerned, or can someone tell me what I should look for. Im in a little bit of a tizz with all the different info flying around.

Cheers,

Jacqui

[Erny]

I don't administer heartworm prevention drugs, but I live in Victoria where the climate is cooler. But I wouldn't be doing the heartworm injection no matter where I lived.

That aside .....

I think there's two different injections you can get. One is for a 12 month cover and the other is for a 6 month cover. So it depends on which one your Vet gave. I don't know that much about the injections but the chewables which are "prescribed" as monthly's, actually give 45 days cover. So perhaps the same for the injection? (ie perhaps there is a bit of 'grace' time before the preventative effects of the injection disappears).

When I did my research on it, when my boy was a pup, I opted for the daily heartworm tabs as being the 'safest' or 'kindest' to the dog's body, if you will, if I was to give them to him at all. This is more difficult for people to remember - but the choice needs to be yours.

From the things I have read, the monthly's are better than the injections, so if the option was to either continue with the monthly's OR switch back to injectables, I'd stick with the monthly chewables.

I'm not a Vet and I only know what I have read and heard comment on. There'll be others here who know it and say it better than I, so hang in there as there's likely to be far more (better) responses than I have given you, tomorrow.

If it helps much, I can only say that whilst I don't like drugs of any kind (if they can necessarily be avoided) being administered to dogs, I don't think giving the chewable early by a couple of weeks is going to cause any major problems.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Erny

[Rappie]

Proheart SR12 is the only form available here.

It's registered to administer at 12 weeks of age, and if done then, it will last for 3 months (so until 6 months of age). I don't think I've ever given an injection at this age.

If given at 6 months of age, it will last for 9 mths (or until 15 mths of age - when first 'adult' vaccination should be given).

If over 9 months but less than 12mths, lasts approximately 12 months.

For adult dogs - 12 mths protection. Heartworm testing is recommended if there has been no prevention medication given in the preceding 6 mths.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Rappie

[Sandra777]

Because I didn't know any better I gave three adult bitches the Proheart12. When I learned better I didn't start on any other preventative until 13 months after they'd had their shot (which is not a "vaccination") and then started them on Dimmittrol daily. Due to OH having a terrible memory I have now switched them to monthly which I will be stretching over 6 weeks until the start of the mozzie season again.

I was told that if they were going to have a reaction/were affected and were going to go into shock it would happen within 12 hours.

If it really bothers you that much you could have Charlie tested for Heartworm (not expensive) but frankly - if there was a problem you would know by know according to what I was told.

Heartworm is a LOT harder to catch than many vets will have you believe.

[SeeGee]

Ok thank everyone. I think I will have Charlie tested for heartworm just to keep my mind at ease. I will definitly be continuing with the monthly interceptor for both pups- no more injections ever.