Heartworm in So Cal?

[Jeanie and MacKenzie]

Just a quick question that I should probably ask my vet...but I trust people on this site more than the vet!

My puppy just turned 1 and I've had her on flea meds and heartworm meds since her first vet visit...I've spoken to several friends with dogs in the area who don't do heartworm meds.  So I'm wondering is it really necessary in this area?  I want to protect her but I also don't want to be giving her unnecessary meds!  Thanks!

[Sandi, Jeff & Mickey]

I'm not a vet but our vet never recommended giving Mickey any of these meds. And we don't have fleas here in Las Vegas. I haven't given Mickey anything but antibiotics when he's gotten hurt and we give him vitamins every day.

[Leslie J]

Here's a link with information about heartworm in Los Angeles.

 

http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/heartworm.htm

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

We live in San Diego near the beach.  I have Gracie Doodle on Sentinel which is for Heartworm protection.  We don't need it here but we do take her up to the mountains a lot and she likes to go in the lakes and streams.  It is the water we are concerned with so we keep her protected 24/7 with a monthly Sentinel pill.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We don't use heartworm meds.  My vet says it isn't necessary here.  However, we didn't take our dogs on a trip to Bass Lake because heartworm is found there and we didn't want to give the meds for a one-time trip.

Just read the link so I might re-think my position.

[Jeanie and MacKenzie]

Thank you so much for the replies (and that really informative link Leslie!)!  MacKenzie does love water and I'm planning to take her to the beach and maybe a lake or two this summer so I will definitely continue her on it.  I really appreciate everyone's help!