Every dog needs to be on heartworm preventative at least part of the year. Heartworms are caused by bites from infected mosquitoes. They live in the right side of the dog's heart and grow into adult worms that are about the size of a piece of spaghetti. If not treated, the worms will grown and reproduce to the point that they block the flow of blood in the dog's heart, and the dog will die of heart failure. Fortunately, a monthly pill or topical solution can be given to dogs to prevent heartworms.
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Testing
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Your dog should be tested for heartworms if she has not been on heartworm preventative and is older than 6 months of age. If the dogs tests positive for heartworms, she will need to be treated before beginning a preventative. If the dog tests negative, the veterinarian will prescribe a monthly preventative.
Some veterinarians recommended annual or every-other-year heartworm tests even for dogs that are on preventative. This ensures that any possibly of heartworm disease is caught, in case a monthly preventative was missed or in case the dog didn't swallow the pill when it was given.
Frequency
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While some veterinarians say heartworm prevention should be given year round no matter where you live, others say it's OK to stop giving the prevention during the winter months.
Those who say it's OK to stop during the winter months usually recommend that dogs begin receiving heartworm prevention at least one month before mosquito season begins and one month after it ends.
Ivermectin
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Ivermectin is the ingredient in popular oral heartworm preventatives such as Tri-Heart Plus, Heartgard and Iverhart. In addition to preventing heartworms, Ivermectin acts as a monthly de-worming for intestinal worms in dogs. Wrapping the pill in a bit of peanut butter or cheese usually convinces most dogs to swallow it like a treat. Collies and some herding breeds have sensitivity to Ivermectin and may need to use a different medication for prevention.
Milbemycin Oxime
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Interceptor and Sentinel are popular heartworm preventatives that contain the medication Milbemycin Oxime. These too are given to dogs as a monthly pill. These products also provide a monthly de-worming for hookworms, roundworms and whipworms.
Topical
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Revolution and Advantage Multi are topical solutions applied to the dog's back between his shoulder blades. These medications also provide tick and flea control. The active ingredient in Revolution is Selamectin and in Advantage is Moxidectin.
Exposure
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Make sure you do all you can to diminish your dog's exposure to mosquitoes, even if your pet is on preventative. If mosquitoes are especially bad in your area, bring your dog inside at twilight when mosquitoes tend to be out.
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