Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does my pet need to be on heartworm prevention?

A: Yes, heartworm disease is a real risk for every dog. Heartworms are parasites that inhabit the heart and lungs of infected dogs as young as 4-6 months of age. Heartworm disease can cause serious health problems, and may eventually lead to heart failure and death. The prevalence of this deadly disease has increased steadily since it was first identified and now affects dogs in all 50 states. Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes, as outlined below:

Heartworm Life Cycle:

• A mosquito bites an infected dog, taking in heartworm microfilariae as it feeds.

• The microfilariae develop into infective stage larvae within the mosquito.

• The mosquito transmits the infective stage larvae to a healthy dog via a bite by the mosquito. The larvae migrate through the tissues, eventually reaching the heart.

• Heartworms can grow up to 12 inches in length. Left untreated, heartworm disease may be fatal.

Although heartworm disease is treatable, it may be prevented through the consistent use of a heartworm prevention medication. Multiple heartworm preventions are available at Drake Pet Hospital and our staff can assist you in choosing the best one for your pet.

Q: Is it okay to get heartworm prevention from online pharmacies?

A: The most important difference between purchasing heartworm prevention from your Veterinarian versus over the counter channels, such as the Internet or product catalogues, is the quality of product. All products we carry are shipped directly from the manufacturer and immediately stored in an appropriate environment (e.g. adhering to temperature regulations). Products sold through over the counter channels are not monitored or regulated by any federal or state agencies. Their products may have been stored in an unregulated warehouse or storage facility for an extended period of time.

The second benefit to purchasing our products is that manufacturers will only offer their guarantee on product purchased directly from the Veterinarian. If there is ever a problem with the product, the manufacturer will only support your claim if the product was purchased from a veterinary clinic. If the same product is purchased elsewhere, you will not receive any manufacturer support or possible guarantee reimbursement. In addition, there are frequently manufacturer rebates not available through other sources that can substantially lower the cost of your pet’s heartworm prevention.

When you purchase products from your Veterinarian, we provide you with the information you need to use these medicines appropriately. It is important that you have our involvement, specifically because many of these products require a prescription. Some of these products may even require pre-testing on your pet in order to prevent adverse reactions. In addition, since the efficacy of the products may depend on proper usage, we are able to demonstrate to you how to administer the product. Lastly, every prescription is filed and kept in our hospital so we have a long-standing record of your pets' health.

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