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Post by zookeeper on Apr 20, 2006 17:05:38 GMT -5
Does anyone know if the adoptees are heartworm tested when they are vetted prior to adoption?
I'm embarassed to say we didn't get Oscar tested last year because I "assumed" they were.
We'll be testing this year, but didn't know if this was something that was done or not when adoptees are vetted?
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Post by jiffer on Apr 20, 2006 20:16:58 GMT -5
Testing for heartworm should be done every spring before starting Heartworm medication (Heartgard). It's better to prevent heartworm than to make your pup suffer through the treatment for Heartworms. Although it's not common in Ontario, there have been cases found, more so this past season than last.
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Post by dulybobty on Apr 26, 2006 11:53:59 GMT -5
For those of you that put your dogs on Heartworm Preventative. Do you get them from your vets of has anyone ordered from 1-800-pet-meds. It seems that the price on this INTERNET site is less expensive, yet it is the brand name. I emailed them to see if they delivered to Canada and if there was a problem with customs and they assured me that they have not had any problems shipping here. With three grey's it tend to get a wee bit expensive. It costs $40.00 a dog for blood tests and the meds on top of that start to add up. Anyone had any experience ordering this over the net? June
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Post by ontariogreys on Apr 29, 2006 2:23:04 GMT -5
I am going to give you a few things to consider before buying the meds online Most places will require you to have a prescription from your vet inorder to order, and to get a prescription you still will need to have blood tests done, and when you add in shipping you may find you are not saving that much money. If you buy meds on line at it turns out to be a bad batch or near the end of the expiry period and your dog does become infected, you will not recieve any compensation from the drug manufacturer like you would if had you purchased the meds through your vet. Another thing is the sale of meds allows the vets to keep their surgical costs very low compared to human surgery, if everyone started buying meds on line surgical costs could easily triple. Often when you have been with the same vet for a while and have multiple pets, as well as considered a loyal customer who shows responsibilty for their pets, the vet will give you little price breaks on certain things, for example I don't get charged for overnight stays for surgery, for bloodwork that is being sent to a lab I am not charged for the blood drawn, when x-rays are needed I am only charged for the first, though 2 or 3 may be needed, for dentals I am charged for a maximum of 6 extractions if more are needed they are done for free, free nails clips if the dog is in for something else, etc. These extras I probably would not be enjoying if I were to buy all my vet meds elsewhere and the savings I enjoy far outweigh the difference I could save buying the meds elsewhere. In a 1 1/2 year period with an ACL tear, osteo, 2 sprains wrists, 3 dentals, enlarged spleen, blooding clotting problems and autoimmune diease finding those little savings came in close to $2000, so for me to gamble away the perks to save a few dollars on drugs is not worth it, even with one of my dog on daily meds. My vet will do bloodtests every other year since he knows I will faithfully give the meds each season, I have been with the same vet for 15 years If you have been with the same vet for a few years and have maintained your dogs on heartworms meds faithfully ask about whether they would consider doing testing every other year, if the weather turns unseasonally warm and causes mosquitos to come out in April {Heartworm meds work by killing microfilariae in the blood in a one month back period}then a test would be needed if you plan to start June 1st or you can start treatment a month earlier and do 7 months instead of 6. Development of the microfilariae in the mosquito requires a temperature at or above 80 degrees Fahrenheit for about two weeks. No larval development takes place in the mosquito below 57 degrees F.
This April it never stay warm enough for a long enough period for mosquitoes to reproduce locally. So if your dogs test positive it would have had to be contracted last year.
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