Hi Everyone, I was wondering if any of you could tell me a little more about heartworm. I live in North Dakota, and there isn't many cases around here. My vet says I shouldn't worry about putting my dog on heartworm pills until early June. Is this true? Others have told me to start in March or at least May. I still don't have my Yorkshire terrier on the pills. Is he going to have to have a blood test before he can be put on the pills? Thanks!

"If you talk to the animals they will talk to you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what one does not know one fears. What one fears, one destroys." ~Chef Dan George~

I would keep your dog on heartworm pills all year. Not only do these pill prevent against heartworms, but many other much more common worms. While you probably dont need the pills all year, I think it is just a good routine to get into. Plus, you wont have to do the heartworm test every year.

There is one type of pill (or maybe it is a shot) you can give your dog every 6 months (cant remember the name - someone else help me here). Dont give this to your dog. It has caused any dogs to die. At my vet hospital alone, 2 dogs died from it last summer. I would stick with the once a month stuff.

I think it is called Pro-heart 6, it is a shot if it is what I'm thinking of that your talking about. I have never used it,but had considered it. Glad I saw your post before I tried it, now I will stick to monthly treatments!

The heartworm preventative I was talking about is Revolution. I came across a post on another forum today, and someone posted that they gave this to thier dog and the dog got very sick and had a severe allergic reaction. Pro Heart 6 was also mentioned to be dangerous.

I like Interceptor. Not only does it do heartworms, but it also protects against intestinal worms. It is also safe for collie breeds, unlike Heartguard. :-)

And yes, any reputable vet will want to do a test to make sure that your yorkie is heartworm negative before starting the pills. But they are really cheap for a dog that size, maybe $12 every 6 months, so no reason not to use them year round.

I have used revolution once, it is monthly and goes on like frontline topspot. I didn't have any problems with it with my dog at the time, but all of those types of products seem to have different effects on different dogs. Like ivermectin, (for heartworm) I have heard it has bad effects on collie type breeds.

revolution also works for heartworms and works as a preventative......get it from your vet