Dear Dr. John,
I’ve learn your column with curiosity for a very long time! It has at all times been a fantastic supply of data. Today I write to you relating to heartworm and the way usually preventatives must be given. Some of my mates have been instructed that since we’re within the Northeast that there’s a lot much less threat for heartworm illness to happen and, as such, the preventative month-to-month capsules want solely be given through the hotter summer season months. Is that right or applicable? I’ve at all times given my canine the heartworm preventative drugs all year long as my vet has at all times prompt. D.C.
Dear D.C.,
Thank you in your variety phrases. I’ve been writing my column going again to 1987 and it has been gratifying to assume that I’ve been in a position to reply questions and provides recommendation about pets and issues regarding veterinary medication for therefore lengthy.
Your query is well timed as we step into the hotter summer season months and, apparently sufficient, my first column was about heartworm! To my chagrin, there are a couple of veterinarians within the northern states that don’t emphasize the necessity for heartworm preventatives to be given year-round. Since heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes, these docs and a few homeowners don’t see the necessity for such safety. That is a wrongful assumption and a current report primarily based on 2022 and 2023 knowledge has proven a rise in incidence of heartworm, not solely in identified prevalent areas such because the Deep South but additionally surprising states reminiscent of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
This is primarily as a consequence of inadequate use of preventatives, hotter temperatures permitting mosquitoes to exist round right here even in winter months with heat spells, and principally from adoption of canine from areas the place there may be extra heartworm illness.
In abstract, I don’t really feel it enough or applicable to provide heartworm preventative lower than year-round and lots of of these merchandise give added advantage of defending towards intestinal parasites as nicely, so maintain giving your canine’s preventatives as you at all times have and hope your mates do the identical.
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He could be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”