We use Heartguard Plus year round, still have to get tested yearly. Even with that, Topper got hookworms a few months ago. He had various symptoms, we were not really thinking worms but he pooped right outside the vets and I picked it up and still had it in the bag so asked them to test it. After a long look they found hooks. Topper was obviously feeling better within 48 hours of treatment. We do often go to dog parks, but if you read info on hookworms, they are at beaches, most anywhere that has moist dirt!
But back to the original point, we have never had any issues with Heartguard plus.
My vet switched from Heartguard to something starting with an I (brand name not ivermectin) but only dispenses for April-November. It controls all sorts of worms. He has been keeping stats and has shown a marked decrease in the number of cases since last year.
Since mine have always been rabbit hunters and frequently chomp down on their prey when they do catch them, I prefer protection that includes tape worms.
My vet switched from Heartguard to something starting with an I (brand name not ivermectin) but only dispenses for April-November. It controls all sorts of worms. He has been keeping stats and has shown a marked decrease in the number of cases since last year.
Since mine have always been rabbit hunters and frequently chomp down on their prey when they do catch them, I prefer protection that includes tape worms.
I had always been told that meds for tape are always separate from other all around worm meds? I suppose that could have changed… and they now include it..... I know when we have had tape, it was a pill only for tapeworms. Also to complete a cycle of tapeworms in dogs, there must be fleas present also. Of course in "eating" caught critters... easy enough to ingest fleas too.
Does anybody get this test done annually? Do you give the heartworm preventative meds? I never have on past Basenjis I have had or even given them any Heartworm preventative meds. Maybe I was lucky.
I have never had any dog I've ever owned be tested nor treated. I've actually never heard of anyone in this area ever having a dog get heartworms, so I don't worry about it. Could be my bad, but heartworm is very rare in Washington.
Treating heartworm infected dogs..
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=610
No offense intended, but the Beloved Bulldogs site was not written by a vet and seems a bit dated to me. Having had a dog treated for heartworm years ago, believe me the arsenic treatments can be dangerous and painful. (See above link)
