Heartworm Prevention

Since transmission requires the mosquito as an intermediate host, the disease is not spread directly from dog to dog. The mosquito usually bites the dog where the hair coat is thinnest. However, having long hair certainly does not prevent a dog from getting heartworms. Here in Central Texas, the temperature can vary all year long. It can be 30 degrees one day and 80 degrees then next, so we recommend year-round protection.

The signs of heartworm disease depend on the number of adult worms present, the location of the worms, the length of time the worms have been in the dog and the degree of damage that has been sustained by the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Most of the dogs I have diagnosed in this area have no signs at all, but we have caught due to routine heartworm testing.

The most obvious clinical signs of heartworm disease are a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of energy. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise, when some dogs may even faint or become disoriented.

There are several options for prevention out there. We have chosen to carry two. Both these preventatives kill the microfilaria or baby stage of the heartworm that lives in the bloodstream. They also treat your pet for roundworms and hookworms that are prevalent in the soil in this area. We would be happy to discuss other options if they interest you and we have an online pharmacy that carries those options.

HEARTGARD: chew tablet that tastes great and most dogs take a like a treat.

Prevents: Heartworm, Roundworms, and Hookworms

Works well with Nexgard to kill fleas and ticks

***When giving, remember to break this treat up into several pieces, some dogs like the taste so much that they will swallow it whole!

Cost is about $7.50-$10/month

SENTINEL: A Flavored tablet that most dogs take wrapped in a piece of cheese, peanut butter, treat or bread

Prevents Heartworm, Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms and prevents flea eggs from hatching. It does not kill adult fleas. You would need a second product for that. Good product for people who have chosen not to use flea prevention because at least you are preventing part of the life cycle of the flea. Your pet can still pick up adult fleas so please be monitoring and let us know if you see any fleas so we can get you a product to kill them.

Works well with Nexgard to kill fleas and ticks.

Cost is about $10-12 per month if purchased as a 12 month supply

Revolution: I currently don’t recommend this product for adult dogs but I do like it for cats due to cat’s typically not being easy to pill. Revolution kills fleas and Heartworms