1. Haley Said,

   That depends on where you live.

   I would continue to be careful. Much easier and cheaper than heartworm treatment.
   References :

2. doxieyorkiemuttmom Said,

   prevention, if you want to do the no heartmorm into winter, you will have to have you dog heartworm checked in the spring before restarting heartworm meds, also depending on where you live if mosquitos are very common where you are, its a good idea to keep them on all year, just to be safe
   References :

3. Kristina Said,

   Prevention is key. Once a puppy is tested negative for heartworms they should stay on their preventative medicine for the remainder of their lives.

   Heartguard is really not that expensive when you think of the amount of pills/treats you get in a package so you might as well just keep going all year round to keep your doggy healthy!
   References :

4. jennlovesanimals326 Said,

   You don't HAVE to continue to administer the medication in the winter, but all vets recommend that you do. I personally would rather be safe than sorry, with my furry friends.

   http://www.heartwormsociety.org/article.asp?id=17
   References :

5. Marti C Said,

   Okay, a lesson on heartworm.
   The life cycle of the heartworm is 6 months.
   A mosquito bites a dog with micro-filara (Heartworm eggs sort of), then goes and bites a dog without, the MF are injected in to the dog's bloodstream and take 6 months or so to develop into an adult heartworm, which then produce more MF, cycle starts over.
   It is NOT necessary to pump your dog full of poisen every month all year!
   I give my dogs Heartworm prevention ONCE every 5 months,
   starting when they are 6 months old or in the spring, whichever comes first. This kills the MF and keeps adult heartworms from developing.
   This is what I DO, has worked for me for as long as heartworm preventatives have been around. (Over 20 years.)
   Got my flame suit on!
   References :
   30 years pro dog groomer, breeder, trainer, exhibitor

6. atobymom Said,

   Better safe than sorry I live in SC and it just got real cold this week I will never take that risk they might find a place in your home to live it only takes 1 mosquito to ruin everything
   References :

7. Bucs_Fan Said,

   I asked this same question when I was at the vets office because I live in Chicago. He told me its best to be on the heartworm meds all year around. Temps fluctaute and you can never be sure of the weather..somedays we have nights in the 30's and days in the 60's also he said that the dog loses the consistency of the medicine in its bloodstream over those months and has to start fresh in the spring..I kep my Bulldog and my Puggle on all year around because you just don't know they could get heartworm from other dogs who are infected..from sniffing rears and infected poop… keep treating your dog its the best bet..
   References :

8. M D Said,

   Vets recommend it because temperatures fluctuate, all an insect needs is a little warm weather…

   I have personally seen the odd mosquito in the winter months. So just to be sure I give mine Heartguard year round
   References :

9. TARA C Said,

   I'd like to thank Marti C…..that is very useful information. I'm going to follow your advice!
   References :

10. Vettech/trainer Said,

    There are several reasons to consider giving heartworm prevention year-round.

    Most important reason is SAFETY. For you and your pet. Heartgard not only protects against Heartworms (which develop in your dog's blood stream) but also against Intestinal parasites, Roundworm and Hookworm. These parasites are Zoonotic, which means they can be past from dog to human and human to dog. These parasites live in the environment and can be contracted at anytime of year. That's why it is important to protect our dogs, it also helps protect us.
    Secondly, weather is unpredictable. I warm day and mosquitos come out and when it gets cold at night they move indoors putting your dog at risk.

    Heartworm treatment $1500-3000 with no guarantee of survival.
    Prevention for large breed dog (50-100lbs) living approx. 12 years $960 for it's lifetime.

    BTW- Heartgard is a VERY safe medication and would never be categorized as a poison. 99% of dogs love taking their prevention.

    I consulted one of the vets I work with in regards to the person stating they only give Heartgard once every 5 months.
    This protocol is not protecting your dog!
    Heartgard can only kill the heartworm in 2 stages of it's life in your dog, L3-L4. These are larvae stages of the heartworm. We give heartworm prevention every month to prevent the parasite from developing into adult worms. However by giving it periodically, may allow a larvae to progress past level L3 or L4 and giving it after this stage Heartgard is not effective.

    Please trust your veterinarian and the companies that make these drugs. They make these drugs to protect YOUR dog.
    References :
    Veterinary technician 13 years
    trainer

11. anne b Said,

    It is a personal choice to keep your dog on heartworm all year. I live in a northern state, and I have seen mosquitoes in February. The weather around here was in the 60s just last week.
    The bottom line is it only takes ONE mosquito to infect your dog. One out of billions.
    I lost a rescue dog to her heartworm treatment, and I would much rather put heartworm meds in my dogs than watch them die of a massive stroke.
    Still, a personal choice.

    Marti-unless you are a vet, you should be careful what you advise people to do with their dogs health on this site. You wouldn't want to be the cause of the death of an animal from someone taking your advice over a vets.
    References :

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