Comments on: PetMeds®: Heartworms in Dogs and Cats http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/ Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:57:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: paula http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-1098 paula Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:57:46 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-1098 I have had three dogs in my lifetime one passed away at 16, one at 15, and one still living 12 ears old. I have NEVER used heartworm medication and live in Houston Texas. I have had three dogs in my lifetime one passed away at 16, one at 15, and one still living 12 ears old. I have NEVER used heartworm medication and live in Houston Texas.

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-928 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:09:25 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-928 HI Charles: Sorry for the delay in response. Cats who drink alot of water like this can have many underlying conditions including diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or infection as well as an overactive thyroid to name the most common conditions. A thorough workup at vet would be needed to work your cat up and do blood work and urine analysis for proper diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes salty diets can be involved so I would try one of healthier long term natural diets with proven track records such as wysong or pet guard which you can find on line. ALso cats who are fed dry food only will drink more, so best to incorporate mostly wet if not all wet food or meat based diets with our feline friends. HI Charles: Sorry for the delay in response. Cats who drink alot of water like this can have many underlying conditions including diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease or infection as well as an overactive thyroid to name the most common conditions. A thorough workup at vet would be needed to work your cat up and do blood work and urine analysis for proper diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes salty diets can be involved so I would try one of healthier long term natural diets with proven track records such as wysong or pet guard which you can find on line. ALso cats who are fed dry food only will drink more, so best to incorporate mostly wet if not all wet food or meat based diets with our feline friends.

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-924 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:10:54 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-924 As long as you dont see rare reactions then of course can give it safely year round. However your dog likely acquired the heartworm during warmer months, as this parasite is not transmitted from mosquitoes unless average ambient temperature is 65 degrees or higher for 30 days, which does not occur in colder months where you are. !!!! No preventative is 100% , including vaccines, etc But good advice to those who live in your state. As long as you dont see rare reactions then of course can give it safely year round. However your dog likely acquired the heartworm during warmer months, as this parasite is not transmitted from mosquitoes unless average ambient temperature is 65 degrees or higher for 30 days, which does not occur in colder months where you are. !!!! No preventative is 100% , including vaccines, etc But good advice to those who live in your state.

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-923 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Mon, 11 Jan 2010 01:07:36 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-923 It certainly makes sense what you report here. Thanks for sharing and informing others. It certainly makes sense what you report here. Thanks for sharing and informing others.

]]> By: Brian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-922 Brian Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:00:10 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-922 Cate, I live in California and was told the same thing by my vets about this area of the country, but I googled the actual statistics and there absolutely are cases of heartworm in California, as there are in Washington state as well. Addressing the issue with my vet again, she admitted that even she uses heartworm meds for her pets despite saying I didn't need to. The risk may be small, but as someone who knows what heartworms can do, it's not a risk I want to take. Cate,
I live in California and was told the same thing by my vets about this area of the country, but I googled the actual statistics and there absolutely are cases of heartworm in California, as there are in Washington state as well. Addressing the issue with my vet again, she admitted that even she uses heartworm meds for her pets despite saying I didn’t need to. The risk may be small, but as someone who knows what heartworms can do, it’s not a risk I want to take.

]]> By: Donna Flores http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-919 Donna Flores Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:46:16 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-919 Hi I must say my doggie of 10 years past away from Heartworms last april and I live in Wisconsin! My vet told me he didnt need it but 8 months out of the year and in the 4 months off he got heartworms. He had no symptoms and the vet didnt test but every other year so by the time we found out it was too late I still have my little maltese and he is doing well but I still miss my big teddy bear. Now I give my Maltese interceptor heartworm meds all year. It is a shame for the little bit i saved in the 4 months I didnt give Teddy his interceptor and it took his life. And the vet cant take away the pain I felt when my baby died : ( My baby died for me being a cheap skate. Dont make the same mistake! Hi
I must say my doggie of 10 years past away from Heartworms last april and I live in Wisconsin! My vet told me he didnt need it but 8 months out of the year and in the 4 months off he got heartworms. He had no symptoms and the vet didnt test but every other year so by the time we found out it was too late I still have my little maltese and he is doing well but I still miss my big teddy bear. Now I give my Maltese interceptor heartworm meds all year. It is a shame for the little bit i saved in the 4 months I didnt give Teddy his interceptor and it took his life. And the vet cant take away the pain I felt when my baby died : ( My baby died for me being a cheap skate. Dont make the same mistake!

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-916 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:53:34 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-916 Many possibilities in cats of drinking ALOT of water. Should have vet exam including blood testing and urine analysis to check for diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and thyroid problem. If all negative, then start to look at diet. Cats on processed dry commercial pet foods can sometimes drink LOTS of water. I would definitely make change over to mostly natural wet food or meat based home made diet. Pet guard and wysong are my favorite commercial pet foods. Many cheaper over the counter pet foods often use alot of salt and preservatives that increase thirst. Also remember cats are true carnivores and did NOT evolve to eat carbohydrate based dry kibble diets many people erroneously feed. Many possibilities in cats of drinking ALOT of water. Should have vet exam including blood testing and urine analysis to check for diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease and thyroid problem. If all negative, then start to look at diet. Cats on processed dry commercial pet foods can sometimes drink LOTS of water. I would definitely make change over to mostly natural wet food or meat based home made diet. Pet guard and wysong are my favorite commercial pet foods. Many cheaper over the counter pet foods often use alot of salt and preservatives that increase thirst. Also remember cats are true carnivores and did NOT evolve to eat carbohydrate based dry kibble diets many people erroneously feed.

]]> By: Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-915 Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:50:19 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-915 Thanks for sharing with us. I have seen on rare occasion dogs become positive for heartworms, even when on year round prevention, as there is no such thing as 100% protection. Also some pets will be susceptible no matter what one does. It sounds like you love your dogs very much. Thanks for sharing with us. I have seen on rare occasion dogs become positive for heartworms, even when on year round prevention, as there is no such thing as 100% protection. Also some pets will be susceptible no matter what one does. It sounds like you love your dogs very much.

]]> By: Donna Flores http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-907 Donna Flores Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:00:52 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-907 Hi Everyone I must say my doggie of 10 years past away from Heartworms last april and I live in Wisconsin! My vet told me he didnt need it but 8 months out of the year and in the 4 months off he got heartworms. He had no symptoms and the vet didnt test but every other year so by the time we found out it was too late I still have my little maltese and he is doing well but I still miss my big teddy bear. Now I give my Maltese interceptor heartworm meds all year. It is a shame for the little bit i saved in the 4 months I didnt give Teddy his interceptor and it took his life. And the vet cant take away the pain I felt when my baby died : ( My baby died for me being a cheap skate. Dont make the same mistake! Hi Everyone

I must say my doggie of 10 years past away from Heartworms last april and I live in Wisconsin! My vet told me he didnt need it but 8 months out of the year and in the 4 months off he got heartworms. He had no symptoms and the vet didnt test but every other year so by the time we found out it was too late I still have my little maltese and he is doing well but I still miss my big teddy bear. Now I give my Maltese interceptor heartworm meds all year. It is a shame for the little bit i saved in the 4 months I didnt give Teddy his interceptor and it took his life. And the vet cant take away the pain I felt when my baby died : ( My baby died for me being a cheap skate. Dont make the same mistake!

]]> By: charles http://blog.petmeds.com/ask-the-vet/heartworms-in-dogs/comment-page-1/#comment-902 charles Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:21:33 +0000 http://blog.petmeds.com/?p=617#comment-902 i have a cat that drinks ALOT of water but when i look up it is very unclear what the problem is. He shows no other signs in any search i do about it. He is normal except for the water drinking. I live in puerto rico and he is most times very active Maybe he show a little sign of being nervous but most time he seems normal. Please let me know asap as i am giving him to a good family because have to relocate back to states i have a cat that drinks ALOT of water but when i look up it is very unclear what the problem is. He shows no other signs in any search i do about it. He is normal except for the water drinking. I live in puerto rico and he is most times very active Maybe he show a little sign of being nervous but most time he seems normal. Please let me know asap as i am giving him to a good family because have to relocate back to states

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