Heartworm Prevention Dogs: Do You Make These 5 Mistakes?

Hello Responsible Pet Parent,

Kumusta kayo ng fur baby mo?

Did you see the article I published a few days ago? It’s “Ber” month already and I hope you have taken steps towards heartworm prevention in your pet dogs.

Curious how heartworm looks inside your fur baby’s body? Find it here: Heartworm and A Warning: Do Not Read While Eating

Now back to the reason why I’m posting this update.

Just the other day, I read this dilemma of one pet parent posted online:

Help! I have a question. I gave our baby dewormer nung Aug 26. Pero kasi hndi kasama yung sa heartworm. Pwede ko b cya bgyan ng para sa heartworm… hndi b cya ma overdose nun?

… At 1st time ko pa lng cya papainumin ng para sa heartworm. Meron b dapat muna ako gawin before I give it to our baby? 6 months na cya sa Sept 6. Pano mo rin malaman kung may heartworm cya?

——

Are you like this worried pet Mom who commit the 5 most common mistakes on heartworm prevention in dogs?

Do you stay awake at night wondering if your fur baby’s dry cough …
… is a quiet but deadly sign
… of white threadlike parasites
… slowly choking the arteries of your fur baby?
… And all of these are happening right in front of your very eyes!!!

In my long years of Vet Practice, I have seen the most common mistakes that pet parents commit on heartworm prevention for their pet dogs. The message of the pet mom above shows the 5 most common mistakes.

Can you spot these mistakes on heartworm prevention?

Do You Make These 5 Mistakes In Heartworm Prevention for Dogs?

Heartworm Prevention Dogs Mistake #1: You just give heartworm preventives without doing a yearly heartworm test

I had a patient before, a pet mom with a Shih Tzu named Peanuts. She gave Peanuts a chewable heartworm preventive, not knowing that Peanuts already have adult heartworms in her lungs and heart!

The heartworms died and clogged the heart and vessels in the lungs of Peanuts. These dead heartworms released toxins that cause Peanuts into a severe anaphylactic shock. When Peanuts was brought to me, it was too late to save her.

Never commit this serious and costly mistake. Have your pet tested for heartworm first BEFORE giving him any chewable heartworm pill!

Heartworm Prevention Dogs Mistake #2: You started heartworm prevention too late

Most heartworm prevention medicines are safe for puppies as young as 6-8 weeks old. I normally recommend that they start on heartworm prevention at their first puppy visit (usually around 8 weeks old).

Remember the pet mom I told you earlier? She has a reason to be worried. Her pet dog is already 6 months old when she started thinking about heartworm prevention!

Heartworm Prevention Dogs Mistake #3: You give the wrong dosage for heartworm prevention to your dog

Humans love self medication and they do the same for their pet dogs! Most often, they go ahead and give heartworm prevention to their pet dogs.

If this describes you, know that heartworm medicine is given to dogs according to how much they weigh. You do not want to overdose or underdose your dog with the wrong size medicine. It will only be a waste of your money!

Heartworm Prevention Dogs Mistake #4: You miss or forget to give your monthly heartworm preventive

If you are guilty of committing this mistake, you are not alone!

Busy pet parents often forget to administer their pet’s monthly heartworm dose as they may be busy with their business, career or personal life.

Heartworm preventatives are most effective on smaller heartworms. If you miss a dose of heartworm preventative it not only leaves your pet open to infestation with heartworms, it doesn’t kill all of the heartworms from the month before.

Heartworm Prevention Dogs Mistake #5: You give the wrong type of heartworm preventive

One of my patients is a Pet Mom whose Chihuahua doesn’t like the heartworm chewable tablet prescribed by her former Vet. Her main complaint: ““I have a hard time making her eat it… “

Also, even if you give the medication as recommended, your dog may spit out or vomit a heartworm pill — or rub off a topical medication.

If you miss just one dose of a monthly medication — or give it late — it can leave your dog unprotected.

The Best Way To Avoid The 5 Most Common Mistakes In Heartworm Prevention for Dogs

To the distressed pet mom who posted her heartworm problem online, I have only 1 advice: Consider giving a yearly heartworm preventive like ProHeart SR-12.

This is what I advice to busy pet owners who love their dogs but they have too much on their plate!

The nice people from Zoetis, maker of ProHeart, graciously gave us a great deal and I would like to pass it to you.

Just for the month of September 2017, we are giving 25% OFF on ProHeart, exclusive to Makati Dog and Cat Hospital clients. Congrats and you are one of them!

All you have to do is:

Call 896-2860 and Enjoy 25% OFF on Proheart SR-12. Proheart keeps your dogs safe from deadly heartworms for 12 months.

*** BONUS *** Be one of the next 6 pet owners to avail of the Proheart promo and get FREE Ehrlichia Test to detect early dengue-like symptoms for your fur babies.

Call 896-2860 NOW!

Enjoy peace of mind,

Dr. Sixto Carlos, DVM
Pet Happiness Expert
Makati Dog and Cat Hospital
Serving Pet Parents near Mandaluyong, Makati, and BGC

“The St. Luke’s of Pet Hospitals” - from a Happy Client

P.S.1 Look who’s getting 25% OFF on ProHeart!

P.S.2 Sharing the good news that Ms. Mylez gave birth to a healthy baby boy! You can wish her well here: http://bit.ly/msmylezbaby