As more pet owners become concerned about the dangerous effects of heartworms there is a concern about when heartworm medication for Dogs or Cats should be given. Knowing when to use heartworm medication and when it is safe to do so will mean we can make a much more informed decision about using heartworm medicine. Many pet owners are unsure about if they should use heartworm pills and just how often they should be given.

Schedule Of Heartworm Medication

If you do decide to use heartworm meds to prevent  from forming then it MUST be given monthly. All the heartworm medicines available are to be given monthly. Whether you administer a monthly pill or a topical spot-on, the course calls for a monthly dose.

You can give the medication a month after the beginning of mosquito season or a month after you believe your pet may have been exposed. This will effectively kill the small heartworms that may have been introduced to your Dog or Cat.

Once begun you must continue to give the monthly guard against the worms to ensure that no large worms ever develop.

How Long Is The Heartworm Meds Course?

Previously it was recommended that we gave the heartworm meds to our pets for one month either side of the mosquito season. However, things seem to have changed, at least that is the opinion of some. The American heartworm society now advocates giving a monthly treatment all year round.

Even in apparently dry areas where there are, as a general rule, very few mosquitoes there are now reported cases at all times of the year. Partly due to the increasing levels of water sources (golf courses, swimming pools, ponds etc) the exact reason may be unknown but there is a small but genuine risk at all times of the year.

They recommend that to be sure that your pet does not contract heartworm problems you should give the treatment twelve times a year.

Which Medication To Use

The choice of medication is completely up to the owner. There are quite a number of different meds to chose from. The choice will partly be influenced by any other concerns you may have. If intestinal worms are a problem then Heartgard is recommended as it treats for both possible problems.

If fleas, heartworms and intestinal worms are a concern then Advantage Multi is definitely the medication of choice. If you simply wish to treat against only worms then generic heartworm medications such as Valuheart are a very cheap but effective option. All of these medications are available without a prescription from our sponsors.

Whichever medication you choose you must ensure that you stick to a monthly treatment. Get advice from your vet about any possible side effects, especially if your pet is taking any other medications. All animals should first be tested for heartworms before commencing a course. A monthly heartworm medication should not be given until you are sure that no adult heartworms are present. It can be very dangerous for the animal if they already have heartworms and the monthly medication is begun.

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