Heatworm in Pacific Northwest?

[bluezano]

On a recent visit to our veterinarian he advised that I needed to begin heartworm treatments for my three dogs. Heartworm has never been a concern where I live before (Eastern Oregon). So, I have the following questions:

1. Has anyone else in the Washington, Oregon, Idaho area been advised to begin heartworm treatments for their dogs?

2. The vet advised that I would need to treat year round, but it gets really cold here, well below freezing for months at a time in the winter, and I seriously doubt that there would be mosquitos out then. Thoughts?

3. I have two border collie mixes and the vet mentioned something about reactions in border collies to heartworm medicine. Severe reactions. What heartworm product is safest in general and best for border collies?

I want to make sure my dogs stay healthy, on the other hand, I don't want to treat this if not necessary. I guess I am maybe afraid this is more of a marketing/selling a product thing on my vet's part rather than what is best for my dogs thing Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Charliesmommy]

2. The vet advised that I would need to treat year round, but it gets really cold here, well below freezing for months at a time in the winter, and I seriously doubt that there would be mosquitos out then. Thoughts?

I asked this same question of my vet because we have really cold winters, certainly no mosquitos in the winter, and she could not give me an answer, other than "well, if you don't keep him on it year round, we'll have to do another test next spring before we can give him more preventative". They get your money one way or the other.

 

[emc]

It's a money grab for the vet if you ask me. My vet sends them too but only when spring is approaching. I ignore it. None of the dogs I've had over the years were on heartworm medication and they were fine.

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[Psyfalcon]

Rare, apparently.

 

[fillyone]

I'm in Portland and only use treament about June-September.
Do note that the map posted is from 1995 and though still not as widespread as other states there have been more cases in Oregon.

I grew up in NE Oregon, I miss the snow

 

[showpug]

I am in Portland and don't use heartworm preventative at all. I worked at a local vet clinic for 5 years and never once did we ever have a positive heartworm test on any of our patients that were tested.

As far as using preventative for part of the year and then having to re-test in order to start it back up - this is done because they have to make sure in the time your dog was off the preventative it didn't pick up the disease. If your dog did by chance catch heartworm during this period, and then started meds up again without knowing it could be very dangerous and even deadly.

 

[Babyblue5290]

I'm in Western Washington and I don't use HW preventative either. Never had any vet suggest it at all.