Heartworm Prevention

[tworotts]

I have friends from South Africa who have migrated to Australia and their 2 Rotts. will be in Sydney Quarantine next week. They are NOT on heartworm meds. not necessary in South Africa. What is the best line of action for these dogs. Should they go straight onto a treatment like Advocate or Heartgard or would you think the blood tests would be necessary first? Which treatments would cause the least side effects (if any) as they will be alone in Quarantine after an exhausting 36hrs in transit. All advice appreciated.

[sandgrubber]

I have friends from South Africa who have migrated to Australia and their 2 Rotts. will be in Sydney Quarantine next week. They are NOT on heartworm meds. not necessary in South Africa. What is the best line of action for these dogs. Should they go straight onto a treatment like Advocate or Heartgard or would you think the blood tests would be necessary first? Which treatments would cause the least side effects (if any) as they will be alone in Quarantine after an exhausting 36hrs in transit. All advice appreciated.

Heartworm infections are very slow to develop. It takes 4 months from bite by an infected mosquito to full blown heartworm, and meds at any point in the cycle will prevent the infection. So there is no reason to panic. Put them on some sort of treatment in the next few months and they should be fine. If your friends want to be ultra conservative, have them tested first.

see (sorry, very US oriented)

http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2008/05/billion-dollar-heartworm-scam.html

[Clyde]

From memory,, Revolution is the safest to use, if in doubt of prior infection.

[Stolzseinrotts]

As stated by Sandgrubber, you have plenty of time to treat after leaving Quarantine, so no hurry to do so when they land. :)

Edited October 9, 2013 by Stolzseinrotts

[bedazzledx2]

Do NOT put them on the daily tablet without first doing a blood test. Any if the monthly tablets should be fine.

Edited October 10, 2013 by bedazzledx2