Starting Heartworm meds on Herbie?

Summer is quickly approaching and I'm wondering when Herbie the Love Pug should be starting on heartworm meds? Is there a certain age that they start to take heartworm pills? The vet never mentioned anything so far, and the next time we theoretically go in is to get Herb fixed in late April... any knowledge on this?

How old is he? If he's just a puppy, you should start them now. If he's an adult, you have to have him tested for heartworm first. Sophie is starting her heartworm meds the 1st of April and she's 11 wks old now.

hey sarah jane! here in montreal where the weather is cold, we don't have to worry about heartworm till the summer, june i believe. is dr.foot your vet? or dr. gilmore? i think you had mentioned that you were going to try one of them...? anyhoo, i go to dr. foot and we just had the heartworm pill chat-if he's your vet then you should have that same chat with him (and if he's not your vet-then let me just say that he is *the* best freakin' vet ever!!!). :thumbs up

Yes, Herbie must start prevention this year!

The meds are retroactive, so if he starts Jun 1, he is protected from May 1st, in other words any microfillaria he contracts in May will be killed.

What are the side-effects/downsides of the different heartworm treatments? I understand there are different types and some treat more than just heartworm.
I have heard breeders/others advocate for year-round treatment, perhaps it is a regional bias. ie south US where there are mosquitoes most of the year. Why not go all year to cover all the bases? Is it hard on the dog?

I think it's just a waste of money and you're just giving unnecessary meds if you live in Canada and give it year round. I live in Kentucky and here it is necessary to give it year round. I got Sophie at the beginning of March and they were kept outside, she already had fleas and one tick. I took care of that pretty quick, but our vet said I need to use prevention year round for all of the above. I'm thinking of using Sentinel, but haven't decided for sure yet.

I live in Manitoba..where the mosquitoes are as big as dragon flies..my dogs usually start theirs end of May..taking the last one in November.
Mine are tested every second year. Harley(he's 11weeks)will just go on them as he hasn't been exposed to Skeeters yet. He will be tested nxt year.

I live in Ontario and give Revolution from May till Nov, never any problems with side effects. Hope there never is, so far so good.

We use Revolution in Toronto as well - May to Nov. - no side effects with our Eskimo. We apply it after his last walk in case of rain etc. - hardest thing to do is part his furry hair to find some skin.

We use Revolution in Toronto as well - May to Nov. - no side effects with our Eskimo. We apply it after his last walk in case of rain etc. - hardest thing to do is part his furry hair to find some skin.


I agree with you, applying is hard with long hair but it works well. I know you must keep the dog dry for at least 2 hours but, I prefer overnight aswell just to be safe.

Goldenblaze - Nothing like trying to apply this stuff to the little "angel" right before bed - particularly with the Eskimo double coat - and he has gorgeous thick hair (just like Mommy, of course). He loves water so we have to be so careful - even his bowl is a swimming pool, and heaven forbid I should have a bath - or there be a puddle outside the he could roll in. I am just grateful he does not experience a reaction as his skin is sensitive - very pink. I am careful to put sunblock on his nose and tummy - he is a "Laszlo" boy! As were my mini Dachshunds before him - although somewhat easier to apply to short hair.

I agree with what everyone said, but I just wanted to add-- don't forget that Heartguard is retroactive, so if you give a "pill" the 1st of april, it kills all the worm larvae from March. If there are no squeeters in March at all, this is a wasted pill.

Goldenblaze - Nothing like trying to apply this stuff to the little "angel" right before bed - particularly with the Eskimo double coat - and he has gorgeous thick hair (just like Mommy, of course). He loves water so we have to be so careful - even his bowl is a swimming pool, and heaven forbid I should have a bath - or there be a puddle outside the he could roll in. I am just grateful he does not experience a reaction as his skin is sensitive - very pink. I am careful to put sunblock on his nose and tummy - he is a "Laszlo" boy! As were my mini Dachshunds before him - although somewhat easier to apply to short hair.


Too funny, I know what you are saying forsure..water dish is pool, bathing without Blaze trying to get in is a big deal...
I love the long hair, Blaze is a golden retriever so lots of hair but Mommy loves it lots. Jordie is groomed often so hair is shorter but still applying anything we must be careful.
I put sunblock on their nose, they love to be out in the warm weather and I worry so they know sunblock means going outside. What we do for our kids... :thumbs up