Jackie ~ Talk to your Vet, but I'd think he would be strongly suggesting that you test for and then start using a heartworm preventative. Here in Ohio our Vets have been prescribing the preventatives for more than 20 years, yet they still have to treat cases of heartworm. This indicates that although there is a need to give the medications, not all pet owners heed the advice . I used to follow the old suggestion to only give the meds for 8 or 9 months, thinking the skeetos "went away" when it got cold. Changed my mind a few winters ago when I kept having to swat the odd mosquito inside the house and garage in the middle of winter. And last week I found two of the varments living right here at the computer . So now both Cinder and new dog Smokey are on preventative 12 months of the year. Most vets suggest one of the monthly meds because there is a much wider window of safety to protect the dog if a dose is accidently forgotten or delayed by a few days. With the daily medication, protection is lost if a pill is forgotten.

Fleas? We don't talk about them guys! I've used flea collars for years and tell myself (and the dogs) that "we don't have a problem". Dr Mike says we're either real lucky or don't know a flea bite from a mosquito bite . In other words he doesn't think collars work all that well and suggests one of the topical flea and tick medications. We'll probably start the spring off with a collar for the Kids and see if anyone starts scratching . ... /s/ the Kids' Dad

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/s/ Cinder & Smokey
the Rescued & Adopted
FurKids of *Phred*