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Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,657
Registered: ‎03-28-2015

Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.

To all my pet parents that have small dogs...10lbs or under....

 

What do you use for your furbabys for heartworm prevention.

 

I don't want anything with flea and tick killers included.....

 

TIA

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,781
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.

@Nataliesgramma 

 

I wasn't aware of any heartworm medication with tick and flea...I thought that was seperate?

 

We use HeartGard but really it's what your Vet recommends since

it's a prescription product.   Go by their recommendation and if your

dog will eat it.   That's a once a month medication.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 22,285
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.

I would speak with my vet.  

 

Years ago when I questioned my vet about my dog's heartworm med that was a different brand from what I had used elsewhere, he said the one he used was more effective for our area.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 22,285
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.


@Just Bling wrote:

@Nataliesgramma 

 

I wasn't aware of any heartworm medication with tick and flea...I thought that was seperate?

 

We use HeartGard but really it's what your Vet recommends since

it's a prescription product.   Go by their recommendation and if your

dog will eat it.   That's a once a month medication.

 

 


@Just Bling 

 

Yes, some have flea preventative also.  Most also control various types of worms.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,657
Registered: ‎03-28-2015

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.


@Just Bling wrote:

@Nataliesgramma 

 

I wasn't aware of any heartworm medication with tick and flea...I thought that was seperate?

 

We use HeartGard but really it's what your Vet recommends since

it's a prescription product.   Go by their recommendation and if your

dog will eat it.   That's a once a month medication.

 

 


My Vet recommended Simparica trio......I am not comfortable with it after I read up on it.....

I would rather just use something for heartworms.

 

I had a Maltese/shi tzu that I am sure one of those pills with everything in it almost killed her.

 

I have an Vet appt Monday for a booster shot and I want to have something else in mind I could get for her preventative.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 38,964
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.


@Nataliesgramma wrote:

To all my pet parents that have small dogs...10lbs or under....

 

What do you use for your furbabys for heartworm prevention.

 

I don't want anything with flea and tick killers included.....

 

TIA


 

 

@Nataliesgramma   I was using Hartgard, but since they are mostly inside, and the vet insists on yearly heartworm tests, I stopped.  It depends on your pet's lifestyle and what you feel comfortable with.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 22,285
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.

ProHeart is an injectable heartworm preventative, either six month or twelve month shot.  It also treats hookworms.  For adult dogs a year or older.  My friend uses it for her dogs.  I don't believe it has any flea/tick med in it.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,010
Registered: ‎04-20-2010

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.

It only takes one mosquito bite for your dog to get heartworms.   Also, the vet can't ethically continue to prescribe Heartguard without being assured that dog doesn't already have heartworms.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,165
Registered: ‎05-08-2010

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.


@Nataliesgramma wrote:

To all my pet parents that have small dogs...10lbs or under....

 

What do you use for your furbabys for heartworm prevention.

 

I don't want anything with flea and tick killers included.....

 

TIA


When I used heartworm, I only used Interceptor, not Interceptor plus.  You only have to dose every 45 days.  The only reason they have you dose every month is because it is easier to remember.  I have had 3 different vets tell me that this is true.  

 

Do you live in a warm area?  If it is getting cold, you don't need flea meds.  Anything under 57 degrees breaks the egg cycle.  

 

Good luck!

Fear not Brothers and Sisters! I have read THE BOOK..........we win!!!
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 124
Registered: ‎10-29-2015

Re: Heartworm preventative recommendations for small dogs.

We only use the injectable ProHeart for our three small dogs. They are Havanese and Shia Tzus under 20 lbs. We lost a dog many years ago to heartworm because I thought she was an inside dog. She only went outside to potty. I was so wrong. It was a heart wrenching time to watch her die slowly. It was before there was medications to cure it. You don't want to go through that. Whatever you decide please use it to save your little dog.