Heartworm meds lapse?

[HeavenlyJumper]

Wyatt has been on heartworm/flea meds for his whole little life with maybe one exception that he didn't get the spot treatment for fleas on time before. I feel like a bad mamma, it has been over a month and I didn't get a refill on his heartguard. I am worried! How fast does a dog get heartworm...will it be ok to get him some more medicine or should he have a test?

THanks for the help...

[bernicesmama]

vets here always recomend a test after a break in treatment.

[BratBoxers]

No need for a test it takes 6 months for them to become adult heartworms just put him back the on the meds. Heartguard is the safest and will kill off any larva forget what they are called sorry before they become adults.

[fairlight]

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our busy world we forget to look on the calander to see which date heartworm pills should be given. Either that, or we look at the calander and say "Oh yes, I have to remember that." Please don;t feel like a bad momma Heavenly..it happens to the best of us. I do have a question for the forum though. When we got Uma at 12 weeks old they immediately put her on heart worm proventatives, etc. We gave her the pills once a month and then at 6 months the vet wanted to do a heart worm test. This I do not understand. Why didn't they do the test to begin with instead of waiting six months? Were we waisting our money on heart worm meds?

[golden&hovawart]

A friend of mine,goes to a holistic vet,who told her to give the heartworm medication,every 6 weeks.
I wouldn't worry too much,if it has happened only once.
If you're really nervous,just do a heartworm test but you should be fine.
That doesn't make you a bad Mom,it only means you are human!.

[BratBoxers]

Originally Posted by fairlight

When we got Uma at 12 weeks old they immediately put her on heart worm proventatives, etc. We gave her the pills once a month and then at 6 months the vet wanted to do a heart worm test. This I do not understand. Why didn't they do the test to begin with instead of waiting six months? Were we waisting our money on heart worm meds?

Because it can take six months to show itself. Heartworm preventative isn't really a preventative its more like it kills the larva (still not sure what its really called right now sorry) after it enters the blood from the mosquito. So really its killing it every month not preventing it. Do I make sense? Also what is in most heartworms pills is also in ant killer <---poison control told me that.

[Emmy Loves Taxi]

Missing a dose or two isn't a big deal. You should be fine to go back on it immediatly.

Don't feel like a bad momma! At least you are on it year-round. Lots of people 'round here only keep the dog on it for 6 months.