Veterinarians and the American Heartworm Society strongly advise against skipping Heartgard in the winter, recommending year-round administration. Although mosquito activity decreases in cold weather, they can survive indoors, and a single warm spell can trigger infection. Consistent, year-round use is necessary to ensure complete protection.

Do dogs need Heartgard in winter?

Do HEARTGARD Plus chews need to be used all year even when it is cold outside? The American Heartworm Society recommends giving your dog year-round protection. That's because the threat of heartworm disease doesn't stop with dropping temperatures.

How long can a dog go without Heartgard?

Heartworm prevention medication should ideally be administered to your dog every 30 days. If a dose is missed, you'll have 15 days to administer the dose before your pet is likely to become infected.

Is it okay to miss a month of Heartgard?

If you realize you've missed your pet's heartworm medicine by a few days, give the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your regular schedule. However, if it's been longer (especially more than a month), don't just resume as normal. The safest move is to call Bixby Animal Clinic for tailored guidance.

Do dogs really need heartworm medicine every month?

Because heartworms must be eliminated before they reach this adult stage, it is extremely important that heartworm preventives be administered strictly on schedule (monthly for oral and topical products and every 6 months or 12 months for the injectable).

When to give your dog heart worm prevention

What is the controversy with HeartGard?

The Heartgard controversy centers on allegations that its maker, Merial, falsely advertised the drug as 100% effective, despite internal knowledge and FDA warnings (circa 2009) that its efficacy was closer to 95%, especially as heartworm resistance emerged; lawsuits claimed this deception led to dogs contracting heartworms, causing severe illness, while a whistleblower suit alleged cover-ups and improper data handling by Merial, though the company maintained product safety.
 

What is the grace period for HeartGard?

If a client forgets to give the monthly tablet we have a 30 day grace period and the tablet should be given as soon as it is remembered. Ivermectin does not kill adult heartworms or microfilaria at the preventive dosage. It does kill L3 and L4 larva in any part of their development.

How late can you be on Heartgard?

Most of the monthly heartworm medicines have a safety factor of at least 15 days of protection if a dose is missed. This means that if you're just a week or two late, your pet is likely still within that window of protection and would be unlikely to become infected during that time.

Do you have to give Heartgard year round?

Use heartworm prevention medication year-round

That's one reason veterinarians strongly recommend pets receive heartworm prevention medication year-round. Veterinarians have reported heartworm disease in pets in all 50 states. Living in a state with a colder climate doesn't mean that your pet is safe.

Is it okay if my dog skips a month of heartworm?

If it has been less than two weeks since the missed dose, give your dog the dose immediately. If it has been over two weeks since the missed dose, contact your vet, who will likely advise you to resume normal dosing next month and have the dog tested for heartworm in six months.

Are heartworms common in winter?

Many pet owners assume that heartworm is only a concern during the warmer months. However, even in our region's mild winters, heartworm transmission can occur all year long.

Can dogs get heartworms when it's cold?

Heartworm disease happens in all climates, in all 50 states, and at any time during the year. The infection is caused by parasites that are transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworms don't discriminate based on age—your young pup is just as likely as an older dog to contract heartworm disease.

Can your dog still get fleas in the winter?

If you're wondering if dogs can get fleas in the winter, the answer is yes.

Can you tell if a dog has heartworms by their poop?

Also bring a fresh stool sample for them to check for the presence of worms. Finding microscopic intestinal worm eggs in the stool is the most common way to diagnose worms in dogs. Heartworms are diagnosed with a blood test, an X-ray of the chest, or an ultrasound of the heart.

At what age do dogs get heartworms?

Dogs of any age, breed or sex may be affected. The disease is rare in dogs less than one year of age, however, because the microfilariae take 5 to 7 months to mature into adult heartworms after infection. Unfortunately, by the time clinical signs are seen, the disease is usually well advanced.

Can I skip a month of Heartgard?

If you miss a dose, you should give your dog the next dose as soon as possible. It's also important to test for heartworm disease six months after the missed dose to check if your dog was exposed to a mosquito carrying heartworms.

Can dogs survive without heartworm medicine?

Not all dogs with heartworm disease develop caval syndrome. However, if left untreated, heartworm disease will progress and damage the dog's heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, eventually causing death.

What are the first signs of heartworms in dogs?

The first signs of heartworms in dogs are often subtle, including a mild, persistent cough (sometimes a "goose honk" sound), lethargy or reluctance to exercise, fatigue after activity, decreased appetite, and weight loss, but many dogs show no symptoms in early stages, making regular vet testing crucial. These initial signs develop as worms grow and damage the heart and lungs, leading to more severe issues like heart failure or respiratory distress as the infection progresses.
 

What kills heartworms in dogs naturally at home?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that herbs such as garlic, black walnut and wormwood, and the homeopathic heartworm nosode, may actually prevent as well as treat infection. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to find substantive proof that these therapies can reliably and safely prevent or treat infection or disease.

Is it okay to give Heartgard a few days late?

If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with HEARTGARD Plus and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen will minimize the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms.

Why don't humans get heartworms?

Canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, is a nematode parasite that infects dogs by way of mosquito bite. Rarely, humans play accidental hosts to this parasite and are not a suitable environment for the nematode to live.

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