Forgot heartworm pill!!!!

[LKMang]

I'm kind of freaking out here. I have a 3 year old dachshund (Domer) and he has been on heartworm medication since he was a little pup. We moved into a new house in January and unfortunately never replaced the calendar that I used to keep track of his heartworm pills. Anyway, I can't remember the last time I gave him a pill! I gave him one yesterday as soon as I realized, but I'm kind of worried about it. Domer has been fine, hasn't been acting funny, but I have no idea what the symptoms are. We have an appointment with the vet for tomorrow (for his usual nail clipping), but I wanted to see if anyone knew anything about heartworm. I feel so guilty :(

Thanks!
LKMang

[amtaylor]

The test is very simple and takes like 3-5 minutes. I'm sure they will test him for you so you don't have to stress anymore...

[ejs]

Are you talking about preventative med such as HeartGard?

[LKMang]

Thanks for your replies!

ejs-Yeah, the preventative meds, I think he is on Interceptor or something.

amtaylor-Thanks for the suggestion. I called the vet and she said he is probably fine (she said 2 months is sort of a "borderline"), but I really wanted him to get tested just to be sure. So he is having a blood test tomorrow for it.

Thanks again for your help!

[ejs]

Do you live in an area that has a high rate of heartworm? If you don't, I wouldn't be that concerned about it.

[kemorr]

LK, although it is very unlikely that your pup caught heartworm in the 2 months that you forgot, the test won't show positive if he was infected 2 months ago. It takes a minimum of 5 months for the larvae to migrate and for the dog to become positive. I'm surprised your vet is testing your dog and not recommending you wait 3-5 months. It would be safe to use preventative in the mean time.

Edited to add: See this link http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=609

Your pup is considered "less than 5 months old" because he has only been off of preventative for less than 5 months.

Also - http://www.plymouthmosquito.com/dog_heartworm.htm

[notkk]

Many people only give their dogs heartworm prevention May - November, so you are fine, especially in 4-season areas. Since your location indicates that you are in New Jersey, you should be fine. Just take him in to the vet and have them test him for heartworm (simple blood test) this month and then start him on his 6 month course of preventative.

[LKMang]

I brought Domer to the vet today and they recommended having him tested in about 6 months. So no blood test today, but we will go back in August for the test. Thanks again for all your help!

[karlatta]

Many people only give their dogs heartworm prevention May - November

Seriously? People do this? After having one of my dogs test positive for heartworms and have to be treated, I would never intentionally skip months again. It's totally not worth it - not just the financial and emotional aspect of having to go through the treatment, but the having to keep the dog indoors and quiet was torture!

That being said, I bet your little guy's gonna be just fine. :)

[boilermaker]

Seriously? People do this? After having one of my dogs test positive for heartworms and have to be treated, I would never intentionally skip months again. It's totally not worth it - not just the financial and emotional aspect of having to go through the treatment, but the having to keep the dog indoors and quiet was torture!

That being said, I bet your little guy's gonna be just fine. :)

In the midwest/northern states, it is pretty common since winter kills the parasites. In Texas, no it would not be a smart choice.

[southhavenjen]

I was told that the heartworm pills are actually good for 45 days of protection, rather than 30. The drug-makers tell people to give the meds monthly because it is easier for people to remember, and it allows a built-in window of protection if people forget to give the pill on time.

Yes, in the northern climates we don't have to keep our dogs on heartworm year-round. I keep my dog on it May-November. There are definitely not mosquitoes during the winter months, so why keep him on the med then? It saves money and prevents unnecessary overmedication, IMHO.

[Rico'sAlice]

I agree that in NJ, you should be fine skipping HWP during the winter. I am in Western Mass and that's what my vet advised us to do. I do give it to my dogs in the summer b/c I am afraid of HW, but I really hate having to give it. I view it as a poison and figure that it's better to give them half a year off of it. Unfortunately, while we were in Houston they had to stay on it all year.