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Ask the Vet About Heartworms in Dogs and Cats
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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
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Lindsay Butzer, DVM
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
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01
DateMay 17, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeart worm

Question:
If dog is religiously on heart worm meds can they still get heart worm
Answer:
Hey! No they should not be able to get heart worm disease. However, the company makes us do yearly heart worm tests to refill prescriptions as a precaution. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer PLEASE CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvlURdNKSJ2oRbzUB1_JQw
02
DateMay 14, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeartworm

Question:
My dog is on heartworm medication all year. I had her tested it was negative. I forgot to give her her next dose by 57 days. Does she need to go back and get tested or should I just give her her medication
Answer:
Hey! If you missed 1 or 2 months you are fine to give it to her today. The worms in her blood will not be big enough yet to cause any harm and the heartgard will kill them. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
03
DateMay 3, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeartworm prevention

Question:
Hello. I would like to order heart guard Heartworm prevention for my healthy 6 year old lab, Otis. I can’t get an appt for months at my vet.
Answer:
Hey! Your almost at the right place! You can make an appointment with a vet online at VET LIVE here on Petmeds and they can help get it for you sent to your front door. HERE IS THE LINK: https://www.1800petmeds.com/vetlive I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
04
DateApr 30, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicPost heartworm information

Question:
Bert is a lab mix rescue aged about 3 1/2, more stout than a typical lab and estimate about 80lbs. He had successful treatment for stage 1 heartworm just over a year ago when he was at the rescue. I don't consider him lethargic as he plays with the other dogs and goes on about a 2 mile walk daily with exuberance. He eats 2xs per day about 2-3(max) cups depending on if he finishes all of it. That's 1 1/2cups am/pm and gets a treat when I leave for work in the morning. He's ranging on the body chart about a 6.5 pushing a 7 and while there is information on post heartworm treatment I have yet to find valid information on if there are any long term side effects on weight gain specifically from heartworm treatment. Considering his age, not over fed, and relatively active, I'm wondering if he should try a low fat diet before he gets too overweight? No cough or wheezing present. Overall happy and healthy just seems to be maintaining a steady thickness. Please advise or provide any relevant informative sites/books.
Answer:
Hey! I think a weight loss diet is not a bad idea. Broad could also be his body type, but if you cannot feel his ribs easily then you are safe to put him on a diet. I like to use Blue Buffalo GI sold on Petmeds.come or Or even better Blue buffalo W+U I will put the link below to this food. Also, make sure no people food such as bread or pizza crust is being fed as this causes the most weight gain. I hope this helped. Dr. Lindsay Butzer BLUE BUFFALO DIET FOOD: https://www.1800petmeds.com/blue+natural+veterinary+diet+w%2Bu+weight+management+%2B+urinary+care+dry+dog+food-prod61212.html
05
DateApr 26, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeCat
TopicHeartworm Medication

Question:
Can I give my cats heartworm prevention medication if they have not been tested for heartworms?
Answer:
Hey! I would have them tested first before starting. There is a low % that something will happen in cats since they are not the definitive host for heart worms and normally are not as affected as dogs. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
06
DateApr 26, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
Topicheartworm pill timing

Question:
I missed March 1 and April 1 doses of Heartguard. Gave them their doses on April 24. How worried should I be?
Answer:
HEY! You dont need to be worried! Missing 2 months is ok. It takes 7 months for the adult worms to mature to the point where they can cause a problem. However, missing alot of months some worms can grow to adults. So just try your best to do this every month. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
07
DateApr 20, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeartgurard chewy!

Question:
I have a mini golden retriever. He is almost 4 months and been taking interceptor plus, however is there a better one you suggest!? **new dog mommy! Thank you so much!! Laura
Answer:
Hey Laura, I use Intercepter Plus with my dogs, and I think its great! You can continue to use this. Heartgard works great too. Its really up to you at this point! I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer PLEASE CHECK OUT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvlURdNKSJ2oRbzUB1_JQw
08
DateApr 18, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeCat
TopicHeart worm testing

Question:
Generally speaking… how much does a heart worm test cost for a cat?
Answer:
HEY! Heartworm tests can range from $30 to $75. It depends what type of test they use. With a Snap 4DX test it is around $30. This is an in-house test your veterinarian can do. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer But side note, cats rarely get heart worm disease since they are not a good host for this parasite. But they can still get it and if they do its very deadly for cats vs more treatable for dogs. PLEASE CHECK OUT MY VETERINARY YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBvlURdNKSJ2oRbzUB1_JQw
09
DateApr 12, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeCat
TopicGet medication without prescription

Question:
As I stated above how do I go about getting heartworm medicine for my cat I can't believe that you gotta have a prescription for this. But then again I'm not surprised the way this world
Answer:
Hey! The reason you need a script is because you first need a negative heart worm test. If the pet is positive for heart worms then giving the medicine can kill the worms causing blood clot or allergic reactions and you need steroids to help combat this and other medications your veterinarian would discuss with you further. If your pet is negative then using the preventatives is perfectly safe to keep going. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
010
DateMar 17, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeCat
TopicIs it safe to consider alternatives to Revolution Plus?

Question:
My three year old cat, Vern, had a bad reaction of lost appetite and lethargy for three weeks after I administered a month's dose of Revolution Plus. He never had a bad reaction to Cheristin, but I am trying to make sure he has heartworm prevention too even though he is inside only. I was recommended Bravecto Plus as it had a different active ingredient but have been posting on forums to get a second opinion with no response. I want him to be safe from heartworm but for how long it affected him I don't want to cause that or worse for him again. I really appreciate any advice.
Answer:
HEY! You can just use Ivermectin (feline heartgard) or Intercepter to prevent heart worm disease in cats. Also, If your cat is indoor you have a low chance of getting heart worm disease please see this written by the FDA. "Cats can also get heartworms after being bitten by an infected mosquito, although they are not as susceptible to infection as dogs. A cat is not a natural host of heartworms because the worms do not thrive as well inside a cat's body. Both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk for heartworm disease." So I would suggest trying to give your cat the INTERCEPTER pill once a month. This is sold online at Petmeds.com and here is the link. https://www.1800petmeds.com/interceptor-prod100142.html Fleas are a very big issues in cats! Make sure they are on flea prevention too. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
011
DateFeb 24, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeartworm and skin

Question:
I started feeding a pitbull that was left in my neighborhood, what can happen if I give him a heartguard and if he has heartworm? He looks pretty healthy and eats good. He has only been around for about a week and all I know about him is nothing. Also he has a skin condition going on on his back only, hair is absent his skin doesn't have sores on it though. ?
Answer:
Hey! If you give hime 1 heartgard pill he will most likely be okay and this may help him prevent heart worm disease if he's living outside. The problem is if he has a severe case of heart worms in his heart, and the heardgard pill kills an adult worm, that worm can clog an artery and cause a stroke or death. However, this is very rare, but this is the reason we test for heart worm disease before giving heart worm preventions. I hope his helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
012
DateFeb 12, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicMeds change

Question:
Is a change from Trifexis to Heart Guard an acceptable change in terms of protection?
Answer:
Hey! They both are macrocyclic lactones that kill heart worms. You can switch back and forth and it is safe and OK. I hope this helped! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
013
DateFeb 12, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicMonthly cycle

Question:
Hi, Iast month I was 2 weeks late giving my dog his heart worm meds, does this month keep with the original cycle or is the whole thing pushed back 2 weeks?
Answer:
Hey! Just give the heart worm medication and that starts over your new monthly time. If you miss 1 month your dog will be ok, and the medication will kill the small microfilaria if there are any. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
014
DateFeb 12, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicAlternative protection

Question:
What natural Heartworm alternative can I use for my senior dog with history of MCT?
Answer:
Hey! There are no natural Heartworm preventives that 100% protect against heart worm disease. Ivermectin is really safe which is the main ingredient in Heartgard for dogs. Giving this monthly shouldn't have any effect on MCT spreading or growing. Ivermectin has been around a long time as an anti parasitic and is very safe. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer
015
DateJan 24, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicPlz help

Question:
My babygirl is around 13 -16 yrs old. She was diagnosed with heartworms 6months ago after i took her in for excessive panting. They have her on 1 antibiotic and prednisone plus she takes apoquel occassionally for itch. This vet doesnt want to treat her for it as he says its extremely risky and dangerous for a girl her age. Her breathing is about 85% of the time excessively panting and maybe 10% coughing and the rest quietly. Is there anything more I can do for her??? Im so devostated over this but i dont want her to suffer because her stupid humans didnt vacinate her properly. Shes my angel and i promised her a better life when i got her from her last owners. Now this. Please say thete is some sort of relief! The internet doesmt talk about treating it at home o and keeping an elderly dog w heartworms comfortable.
Answer:
Hey! Heartworm disease can be treated with a slow kill method of giving her "Ivermectin" Heartgard medication 1x a month every month also with giving antibiotics (doxycycline) and prednisone for inflammation due to worms dying. This is a complicated case it sounds like with your older dog and you have to trust your veterinarian. All dogs with heart worm disease will have heart valve and structural artery damage from the worms burrowing in the vessels. This will cause heart disease and the dogs can die from heart disease due to heart worms. This is a bad disease. I am sorry! There is nothing you can do over the counter and have to listen to your local veterinarian. Do not be afraid to get different opinions from other vets. I hope this helps! Dr. Lindsay Butzer