We first want to preface our blog today by stating that you should always consult with your dog’s veterinarian regarding medication or your dog’s health. But a common question dog parents have, especially when their dog primarily stays indoors, is whether heartworm, flea, and tick prevention are necessary. What does heartworm prevention do for my dog?
What does heartworm prevention do for my dog?
Heartworm medication helps prevent a common parasite transferrable to dogs via mosquito bites. So, even if your dog stays indoors most of the time, they are susceptible to mosquito bites indoors or when they go outside for walks or exercise. Heartworm infections can lead to organ failure or even death if not treated. Therefore, it’s best to prevent heartworm infections.
Heartworm medication is most effective when administered regularly, beginning when your dog reaches six months old. The most common type of heartworm medication is available in a chewable form, designed to taste like a yummy treat so that your dog will want to eat it. And this variety of treatment is typically administered once a month. It’s best to give heartworm medication to your dog on the same day every month.
Why does my dog need flea and tick prevention?
Flea and tick medication is usually a combo prevention treatment administered to dogs either by drops or a collar that your dog wears for several months at a time. While some pet owners believe that their dog only needs flea and tick prevention during the summer, many popular opinions and according to PetMD, believe that this prevention should be practiced year round, especially if you plan on sending your dog to YBA for boarding or daycare.
At YBA, we require that dogs be treated for fleas and ticks prior to coming to our facility because we want to ensure the safety and health of every dog that’s in our care. If we discover that your dog has fleas or ticks, we will administer treatment during their stay, which is added to your bill.
To make protecting your dog’s health easier and more convenient, there are now three-in-one pills available that reduce their risk of heartworms and prevent flea and tick bites. The type of prevention medication that’s best for your dog will depend on many factors including their size, weight, breed, and current health status. Therefore, we recommend consulting with your dog’s vet before choosing prevention medication for your pup. The vet can also provide you with potential side effects of each medication so that you can keep an eye out for any changes in your dog’s health or behavior that may warrant switching medications.
