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[awest591]

Hello,
This is my first post so be easy on me
Anyway, I was wondering if I needed to use a heartworm preventative pill year round if I live in PA where the mosquitos are only out 6 months of the year when its warm enough for them to live. I was under the impression that only mosquitos can cause heartworm, is this correct? And if I am, then why would you need to give a dog heartworm pills when its 30 degrees outside and there is snow on the ground? Like I said, I live in Eastern PA and I only see mosquitos from about May thu Oct, do you think I can get away with only giving my dog pills during those months. Thanks in advance from anyone who professionally knows the answer. Aaron

[GSD]

the larva in the mosquito need temps of 60 degrees or more at night (warmer obviously in the day) for a couple weeks (continuously) or the larvae can NOT develope. THus your dog is under any threat during that time if the temp is below that at night. in WI I give some in the middle of June/July till Sept and that's it.
Here's a brief overview of the lifecycle for heartworm.
http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/merial/hrtworm/hw_1a.htm

[Sophie45]

I just had a long talk with my vet on this last week. I live in upstate New York, so probably pretty similar climate. My vet told me that it is not totally necessary in cold climates, but definitely from April/May to December is imperative. If you do year round prevention, then no heartworm test is needed, but if you only do 6/7 mos. a year, your dog still will need the heartworm test. (which costs the same as a six month supply of heartworm meds)

[awest591]

Thank you both for your reply

[gracie]

Where I live the vets give heartworm tablets from May to Sept. In Sept we usually get the big frost, and there are no more mosquitos.

[KennelMom]

If you live in an area that has skeeters that carry heartworm, I'd give it year round. One reason some dogs turn up positive is that the owners just forget to give it. Giving it once a month, every month becomes a habit/routine that can help ensure owners don't forget. Heartworm prevention is really fairly inexpensive. Plus, there is some built in protection from other types of worms that are in the environment year round.