How to Keep Your Dog From Getting Heartworms

Follow these easy steps to keep your pooch heartworm-free!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• You
• Your Dog
• An Appointment With Your Veterinarian
• A Heartworm Test
• Heartworm Prevention

1. Since heartworm medicine is a prescription, you will first need to see your local veterinarian. He/she will need to examine your pooch and most likely perform a heartworm test, depending on the age of the dog and if he/she has had heartworm prevention before. This is needed to determine if your pet has heartworms or not.
2. Hopefully your pooch tests negative for heartworms. If he/she does test negative, then the next step is to start on a heartworm prevention program. If he/she tests positive for heartworms, your veterinarian will discuss treatment options that are available.
3. There are quite a few different types of medications for preventing heartworms. Here is a partial list of possibilities: Interceptor, Sentinel, Heartgard Plus, Tri-Heart Plus, Iverhart Plus, and Revolution. Each of these work a little differently and treat different parasites that are common to dogs. Follow your veterinarians recommendations as to which product is best for your dog.
4. Be sure to follow the directions for your medication! It is very important to use the product correctly and according to your veterinarian's instructions to maximize the chances of keeping heartworms away from your doggie companion.

Tips & Warnings

• Most, if not all, of these medications have some sort of a reminder system. Some have stickers to place on your calendar. Some even have an email reminder system that will send out an email to you to remind you that it's time to give your dog its medication.
• Make sure that you give the medication correctly! Some are applied to your pet's skin, and others are given orally (with or without food). Follow your veterinarian's instructions!
• Always consult your veterinarian before starting any heartworm prevention.
• Have your dog tested yearly for heartworms.
• Beware of where you buy your dog's heartworm medications! Remember, only medications sold to you directly from your veterinarian are guaranteed by the manufacturer. Heartworm medications that are bought elsewhere (i.e. most internet pharmacies) are not guaranteed, and may even be harmful to your pet.