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).
What months should you give your dog heartworm medicine?
We recommend starting your pet on heartworm medication June 1st and continuing until November 1st. In some areas such as the Southern USA, heartworm prevention is necessary year-round.
What time of year do dogs get heartworm?
Dogs become infected with heartworms through mosquito bites, so if you live in a climate with cold late autumns and winters, why worry about giving your dog preventive medication every single month of the year?
Do dogs need monthly heartworm medication?
Heartworm preventative medications work by killing any larvae over the last month, which is why it is administered monthly. This is also why it's so important to stick with the schedule recommended by your vet.
Does my dog need heartworm medication year-round?
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.
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Do dogs need heartworm medicine monthly?Do I need to give my dog heartworm medicine in the winter?
