Heartguard all year round?

[binka_nugget]

Ditto.. check with your vet. Heartworm is pretty much non-existant here so I don't give preventatives.

[lv4dogs]

Mine are on interceptor (it's safer for collie breeds including Aussies).

I keep mine on it year round, not only for heartworm prevention but it also protects against hookworms, roundworms & whipworms. As active as we are & as much walking, hiking, traveling as we do I certainly want to protect them against the other parasites.
Granted mosquitos are not really too common in winter but like Cinder&Smoke said, it can happen. Besides I'd rather spend $10/month than what probably about a few hundred to thousand for treatment.

[BC_MoM]

We only give ours prevention from May-September... but we forgot a few times to give it to them, but they're fine all the same. I don't think heartworm is too wild over here.

[CathyBogart]

It depends on your area and also where you guys walk and such. I walk Jasper near a lake every single day - there are mosquitos there year-round. While I am generally very conservative in treatments or drugs I give Jasper, to me HW preventative is top priority.

[lv4dogs]

While I am generally very conservative in treatments or drugs I give Jasper, to me HW preventative is top priority.

Same here!

[areias]

Yes yes yes..I know I live in FL and it is very prominent down here, but it is so important. All it takes is ONE bite. The preventation is a h*ll of a lot cheaper than the treatment. Treatment for heartworms takes YEARS off of a dogs life, unfortunately. They use immiticide, which is basically a form of arsenic. It's much better to just give the heartguard and pay the $5/month.

If you miss a month, you shouldn't be overly worried, some of the studies have shown that within a month or two of the microfilaria (critters that cause heartworms) developing, if you give the heartguard it will kill it.

[lv4dogs]

If you miss a month, you shouldn't be overly worried, some of the studies have shown that within a month or two of the microfilaria (critters that cause heartworms) developing, if you give the heartguard it will kill it.

Just make sure if you miss any more than that you contact your vet before giving any prevention. Once the microfilaria start to grow the prevention can actually kill the dog as well. That's why you always test before giving prevention.

[pitc9]

Mine are on interceptor (it's safer for collie breeds including Aussies). I keep mine on it year round, not only for heartworm prevention but it also protects against hookworms, roundworms & whipworms.

Ditto here!!