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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
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01
DateNov 30, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeart worm test
Question:
Does my dog have to be tested for heart worm yearly
Answer:
Hey! I recommend a yearly test for heartworm disease! Make sure to have your dog on a preventative regardless! -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
02
DateOct 20, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicHeart worms
Question:
My dog has been dragging his but on the ground and my husband swears he has heart worms. I’d like to treat him just to be on the safe side but don’t know what to use
Answer:
Hey! Sometimes dogs will scoot due to intestinal parasites but it can also be due to having full anal glands that need to be expressed! I recommend that you bring him to his vet to get checked out! -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
03
DateSep 18, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicAspirin
Question:
My dog is white & tan & typically her skin turns pink to red when she’s allergic to anything which is how we discovered she can’t eat chicken or carrots. Today she’s been warm & pink & a warm nose. She ate both meals with all her normal vigor & has had water. She has urinated but not dedicated. She hasn’t left my side all day. She is heartworm positive & just took her monthly meds a few days ago. Is it safe to give her baby aspirin? She’s 30.9 lbs.
Answer:
Hey! You should probably bring her to her vet if she is not feeling well! I don't usually recommend aspirin because her vet might not be able to prescribe certain medications as a result of giving her aspirin like steroids! -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
04
DateAug 9, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
Topicbest heartworm med
Question:
Hi: Why is Sentinal $40 more than Heartguard?
Answer:
Hey! Sentinel Spectrum protects against heartworms, intestinal parasites and fleas while Heartgard only protects against heartworms and intestinal parasites! -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
05
DateJul 31, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicDosage
Question:
I'm not sure I administered my Dogs last HeartGard meds which was due on 7/24. Should I give hime a dose now risking an additional dosage or wait till next due date, 8/24. Thanks
Answer:
Hey! You are safe to give Heartgard again today! -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
06
DateJul 26, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicLabrador
Question:
I have purchased k9 advantage trio for my chocolate labs - we just brought them to Florida I need a suitable heart worm tablet to go with the k9 advantage trio - what do you recommend my dogs are 85lbs and 75lbs
Answer:
Hey! If you're referring to K9 Advantage Multi, that does offer heartworm prevention already. However, if you are using K9 Advantage II, you could add on a heartworm preventive such as Heartgard or Interceptor Plus! -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
07
DateJul 26, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicRec prevention
Question:
Recommended heartworm prevention medicine for puppy
Answer:
Hey! I like Heartgard because it can used on puppies as young as 6 weeks with no minimum weight requirement! If you want a product that also helps protect against fleas, I like Sentinel Spectrum as well. -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
08
DateJul 21, 2023
CategoryHeartworm Disease
Pet TypeDog
TopicMedication
Question:
Hello. My dogs have been on heartworm prevention their whole lives. I ordered my heartworm medication but apparently thwy are out of stock and did not inform me of this. If my dogs miss a month or 2 should I be worried or should I just resume dosing asap when the meds come in?
Answer:
Hey! You ideally should not skip your dog's heartworm prevention! Most preventatives actually work for slightly longer than a month so if you can get their normal prescription within a couple of weeks after they're due, they should still be protected. If their normal preventative is not in stock in time, I would suggest purchasing a different brand in the meantime! If you cannot get a medication for them, just resume their schedule when you can and then at their next wellness exam, you can have a heartworm test done on them. Just remember, it takes about 6 months after exposure for dogs to test positive for heartworms! -Dr. Lindsay Butzer
09
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
010
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
011
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
012
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
013
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
014
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
015
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
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