Yes/No to yearly shots and heart worm..

[Herschel]

I do heartworm starting in May, and keep treating until we are safely out of mosquito season. Doing it year round here in Vermont is silly.

I do that, as well, and my vet acted like I was insane. We took Hershcel off of it from November until February. I don't remember seeing any mosquitoes during the winter...

 

[copperdogsmom]

I have always taken my past dogs for yearly shots.But having read and learning about shots I will be talking to my new vet about the 3 year shots.Teddy had all his puppy shots and I do want him to have his 1 year booster then after that I think it will be evrey 3 years.Heartworm will be yearly.

 

[ToscasMom]

Originally Posted by BostonBanker
I do heartworm starting in May, and keep treating until we are safely out of mosquito season. Doing it year round here in Vermont is silly.

I do that, as well, and my vet acted like I was insane. We took Hershcel off of it from November until February. I don't remember seeing any mosquitoes during the winter...

Same here. No self respecting mosquito is going to hang around here in winter.

 

[Herschel]

Same here. No self respecting mosquito is going to hang around here in winter.

I even got a little lecture about safety, regulations, and proper medication. She's never heard of anyone doing that.

Looks like I'll be taking Nala to a different vet. It's sad--she was always really sweet with Herschel and we even took our puppy kindergarten with them. I like her as a person, just not as a vet.

 

[squirtsmom]

Have you ever seen a dog die from heartworms? It's horrible.

 

[BostonBanker]

Have you ever seen a dog die from heartworms? It's horrible.

I have not doubt. But it doesn't change the fact that there are no mosquitos in Vermont in the middle of winter. It would be like vaccinating for a disease that isn't even present in the area.

I always heartworm test in the spring and start the meds before the mosquitos come out, and I keep going until they are safely gone. I would never suggest doing otherwise. For the 15 years we had our Bedlington in Vermont, I never once heard the vet suggest using heartworm year-round. My vet did say that they now "recommend" year-round heartworm, but when I said I only wanted to do mosquito season, they didn't blink.

 

[ToscasMom]

Why would I want to put unnecessary chemicals into my dog's body to prevent heartworm from a mosquito when it is below zero outside? Mosquitos are pretty tenacious characters but they still haven't mastered the art of flying around in insulated underwear and snowsuits in the Northeast. I also don't use flea control in the snow. Haven't had an infestation in February yet.