I have a young Sheltie that I recently got from an owner that did not provide heartworm prevention. I do not actually know if Blue has heartworms or not, but need a less expensive preventive treatment than the vet offers. Are any of you pet owners feeling the same crunch financially, but do not want our pet family to suffer neglect? I am interested in home remedies and prevention of heartworms. Thanks to all who respond.
By Nelwyn Mills from Bunkie, LA
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If you've ever seen an actual photo of heart worms in a heart you would have Blue tested to make sure or not. Call your local animal shelter and the ASPCA and ask where there might be no or low cost help available in your area. You can also order monthly heartworm prevention meds online for alot less money than at the vets office but make sure you order them from a professionally approved source. You also want to make sure you order the right dose based on Blue's weight. There are no home remedies for this serious disease whether preventing it or treating it. Here's a three page informational link:
Deeli is right. Heartworms are serious and nothing to mess around with. Not to sound harsh, but if you can't afford to put Blue on heartworm preventative, maybe you should try to find another home for him.
Doing rescue work in Houston, I have watched a dog die in front of me of heartworms. It is a long and suffering way to die. It is really horrible.
The adult worms live out their lives and then die. It takes about 6 months or so to be completely heartworm free going that route. If they are heavy heartworms, he HAS to be treated or he'll die.
And not to be the bearer of even more bad news but treatment isn't cheap either; in fact it can run hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Affording the preventative is really the best way to go. In HOU, dogs had a 100% chance of contracting heartworms if they were not on preventative.
Good luck to you and I hope you can find an affordable way to go. I order all my preventatives online as it is MUCH cheaper that way. Just get your vet to write you a prescription and you can send it in to PetMeds.com or another one of the reputable sites out there.
What the Vet won't tell you about heart worm prevention: This will only work if your dog is known to be free of heartworms. You can give Heartguard every 60-90 days instead of once a month if you are struggling financially, and keep your dog heart worm free. Due to the life cycle of a heartworm, it takes 90 days for it to become an adult and Heartguard has a back kill component.
Please pay attention to the answers you have received.
The only person who can prescribe the correct "body-weight" treatment is your Veterinarian.
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