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Cooper has never been tested for heartowrm, and has never had heartworm preventatives. It was never mentioned by the vets in Vancouver, or by my new vet in Ontario (though it was winter when we saw him). Sherri (Sophie and Winston) mentioned heartworm preventatives to me a while back, and it seems that Ontario is a hot spot for it. So I got Cooper an appointment for testing and to get preventatives for July - October.

We just got back from the vet ($173 lighter). The test has been couriered out, we should get the results tomorrow or the day after (im not particularly concerned). However, the receptionist did give me the option to take the preventatives now or wait til the results come in. I took them now (will save me an hour round trip to get them) but I did check that they were returnable on the off chance that Coopers test comes back positive, as she wouldnt be able to have the meds. She said yes, but I can give her the med now, she could still have them.... I thought it was dangerous for a heartworm positive dog to have heartworm preventatives.... thats why you have to have the test done, and get a prescription if you arent buying the preventatives from the vet...

We have Revolution (if it makes any difference)...

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With a winter like we had here in Ohio last year, I'm not sure that the mosquitoes ever went away.  I know they are certainly out in full force now.  I thank everyone for their responses to the question that I posed.  I had just thought that maybe I missed something with regard for the need to do this year round.  It is quite expensive (not sure what you are giving Joanne that is $5 a month) so thought maybe I could save a little, but not at the expensive of the girls, so we will just keep on giving monthly. 

I pay about $8 a dose for Heartgard Plus, and it would be even less if I bought the 12 pack instead of the 6 pack. .

mine is $20 plus 13% tax for 1 dose (includes flea and tick preventative too, and maybe other worms) (revolution)

But considering that you're not paying for a spearate flea and tick preventative, that sounds pretty reasonable to me. I think I once figured out that both of JD's preventatives together (Heartgard and Frontline) run me about $21/month. (Not including tax)

Here is very good article from your Canadian Veterinary Journal

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1476355/

It also conquers that Ontario is the hot spot.

A sign on my Vets Door

Heartworm can be found in all 50 States and Canada. 

Low incidence or not, it only takes ONE.

Joanne, I may be wrong, but it appears that article is from 2000, twelve years ago. :)

I don't think Worms have changed much since then--but I understand what you mean. I never looked at the date.

There's been a great increase in the HW range as time has gone by. There's a series of maps showing the spread west over a relatively brief period of time. I'll see if I can find it.  

I do remember reading something about this awhile back. Don't know where, or if it was here but yes, I understand.  If it is spreading that fast certainly a 10 year old article is out of date

I'm not that far south from Ontario.  Our weather is similar.  Love your Yankee Clippers you send down my way-Not.

I can't sit outside for 2 seconds and they are all over me. 

Does Ontario, during the summer months, have much humidity?

That's interesting Andrea. We live like 3 hours away and it is mosquito central here this year. It is really really bad this year. I am covered in bites. I've been buying up citronella and repellant and afterbite...

 

Another good point about that study is that of the positive cases, 80% were dogs that weren't given preventatives. The rest were thought to be because the owners didn't give the meds consistantly. So I think there is still value in giving the preventatives.

 

Thanks for clarifying that Ontario is not a hot spot. My vet clinic made it seem like I was a negligent and abusive dog owner because I refused to have Sophie tested before giving her the meds (tight budget and sick and tired of being guilt-tripped into paying for unnecessary testing and medications). They even made me sign a waiver disolving them of responsibility if she died!! I figure, she's been alive for only one summer and took preventatives all summer long last year and last year I never encountered any mosquitos. I don't know why they are so bad this year but I do feel better having the preventatives, and am not at all concerned about the fact that I didn't have her tested. Winston tested negative when I adopted him last fall so I'm not worried about him either.

 

http://www.caminoanimalclinic.com/library/images/map_heartwarm_b.jpg

I can not find a thematic map for the incidence of Heartworm in Canada.  My idea would be to look above the U.S. State to get a general idea of your area.  Michigan--close to Ontario, is rather high.

http://www.caminoanimalclinic.com/library/images/map_heartwarm_b.jpg

Since 80% of the Canadian population lives along or close to the border, this should be somewhat correct estimate.

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