As winter descends upon New England in full force, more and more dog owners ask us if we recommend continuing heartworm prevention through the winter months. The short answer is yes. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round heartworm prevention, and we agree. dogsnaturallymagazine.comImage: dogsnaturallymagazine.comAs winter descends upon New England in full force, more and more dog owners ask us if we recommend continuing heartworm prevention through the winter months. The short answer is yes. The American Heartworm Society recommends year-round heartworm prevention, and we agree. What months do dogs need heartworm pills?
Does my dog need heartworm medication in the winter?
That's one reason veterinarians often recommend that pets receive heartworm prevention medication all year long. Although there are a fewer number of mosquitoes in the winter, there is still a risk that an animal could contract heartworms if the owner stops giving medication during this season.
What months does my dog need heartworm medication?
Because heartworms must be eliminated before they reach this adult stage, it is extremely important that heartworm preventives be administered strictly on schedule (monthly for oral and topical products and every 6 months or 12 months for the injectable).
Is it OK to give heartworm medicine in winter?
Prevent Heartworms Even in Winter. I generally recommend that owners give heartworm prevention 12 months a year, and here’s why: In many parts of the country, mosquitoes remain active year-round. Unless you live in an extremely cold and/or dry region, your dog or cat may be bitten during any month of the year.
Do dogs need heartworm medicine year-round?
That's because it's hard to tell when the first mosquito of the season appears or the last one disappears, and mosquito bites are how heartworm transmission occurs in canines. If you live in a warm climate, your veterinarian will almost certainly advise year-round medication.
Why won’t my vet prescribe more heartworm medicine?
There’s a reason why vets won’t prescribe your dog more heartworm prevention medicine until they’ve had a thorough exam. Not only is heartworm medicine ineffective on heartworms that have grown past the larval stage, but giving heartworm prevention to a pet with an active infestation can cause serious side effects and health risks.
Do dogs get heartworm in the winter?
While it’s true that your dog or cat’s risk of developing heartworm is lower during winter, it isn’t nonexistent. For example, if you travel with your dog during the winter months, you’ll need to consider heartworm risk factors for the areas you travel through. It takes just one mosquito bite for your pet to become infected, after all.
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How many months do you give heartworm medicine to dogs?Do dogs need heartworm medication year-round?
