Heart worm prevention

[Tara and Maggie]

Hi!  I have a 50.1 lb doodle named Maggie.  She is a little over year old and we have always given her Heartgard as her heart worm prevention.  We were at the vet earlier this week and she is now 50.1 lbs (this is probably her ideal weight...she may fill out a little more, but I think she's done growing)?   So...the dilemma is she's now on the bubble for dosage.  The dosage is for 26-50lbs and 51-100lbs.  The vet suggested the higher dosage to make sure she's adequately covered.  I just thought I'd see what others in the same situation do?  Thanks!  

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I would do the higher dosage... if the lower dose is safe for a 25 lb dog it probably barely covers a 50 lb dog.  As you said she is still filling out too and will be securely in the higher weight range soon.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Heartgard is one of the safest preventatives around. I'd go with the higher dose. She will probably gain some weight over the next few months anyway. Most dogs stop growing in terms of height and length by a year old, but they usually do continue to gain lean mass in the form of muscle and bone density. So she'll probably be falling into the 51-100 lb category soon. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Other advice is probably safer coverage-wise. My dogs have been on the bubble and I ‘cheat’ and use the lower dose. I do not like giving them all of these things and figure they don’t need an overdose. Just my thinking that their dosing range actually covers more than written so that their butt is covered. 

[Christine]

I had a similar situation for the flea and tick med.  I use vectra 3D and Nala was one pound over.  The vet wanted the higher dose, but I didn’t feel comfortable with it because it was such a big range for the higher dose, and Miss Nala was just one pound over.  Vet let me have the lower dose.  Nala is 3 and not growing, so I didn’t have to worry about her growing anymore.  

I trust Karen 100 percent, so if she says the heartguard is safe, its safe.  (I think Karen knows more than my vet...lol) For us Nala is well within range for that one, we use heartguard as well.  

For Nala once spring comes she loses a pound or 2 with all the extra outdoor activities.  You can keep tabs on Maggie’s weight and if she hovers at 50 you can always get the lower dose next time.  Also, as a side note.  Chewy.com has heartguard now.  And so much cheaper than I get it from my vet.  So vet wrote me a script and I get it from them.  6 month supply.  Free shipping if you spend 50 so I order it when I get Nala’s food shipment sent.

Best of luck,

Christine

[Tara and Maggie]

Thank you to all of you for your insight!  I really appreciate it! :)  I feel much better now giving her the higher dosage.  I'll definitely keep an eye on her weight and see how it fluctuates.  (I have six year old boys and they like to see how their weight compares to Maggies..Ha!)   

Thanks again!  

Tara