Heartguard/9 weeks

[MT79]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum and I have to say the amount of info here is amazing. Great resource!

Last week I bought an 8 week old rottie pup. I have an 11 year old rottie as well. The 11 year old used to be ~125 lbs so I have two packs of Heartguard meds, one for dogs upto 100 lbs and another for dogs upto 25 lbs. My 11 year old has since lost 25 lbs (to ease his joint discomfort) so I only need the one tablet for dogs upto 100 lbs for him these days. FWIW I treat him all year.
The pup is9 weeks and ~18 lbs right now and the tablets are for dogs upto 25 lbs. From what Ive read/heard I don't think there is an issue, but I'd rather be safe than SORRY!
So my question is, is it okay to give a 9 week old puppy regular heartguard?? Or is there one made specifically for pups? Any other possible issues I should be aware of w/ this med when used on pups?
It's been getting pretty warm where I live and the insects were really starting to come out today. Any advise much appeciated.
Mike

[targonrotts]

we start heartgard on pups at 8 weeks of age at our clinic.
it is quite safe. in florida, it is year round. and now a days it is suggested it should be the same everywhere.
0-25 lbs once a month until he hits 26 lbs, then 26-50, then 51-100.
there are a few forms of heartgard. the tablet which is only for heartworm prevention and heartgard plus chewable which does heartworms and helps control hooks and rounds.
even while on prevention, you should at least do a heartworm test a year and at least one to two fecal tests a year to make sure all is working well.

[TrinaJ]

In Australia we start our puppies at 8 weeks of age and it is also year round here. I dont see any harm in starting it. To be sure on the exact dosage i'd call the vet.

When our dogs turn 6 months of age the vet gives an annual shot of heartguard so no need for chewable tablets.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by TrinaJ

When our dogs turn 6 months of age the vet gives an annual shot of heartguard so no need for chewable tablets.

WHAT??? Annual shot of Heartgard? I've never heard of such a thing. I hope this is not the stuff that was killing all of the dogs and it was banned in North America?

Gina

[targonrotts]

to my knowledge, heartgard does not come injectable. i do know proheart is still used in other countries.
but then again, usa and the rest of the world differ greatly when it comes to drugs.

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by targonrotts

to my knowledge, heartgard does not come injectable. i do know proheart is still used in other countries.
but then again, usa and the rest of the world differ greatly when it comes to drugs.

Proheart 6 was taken off the market in North America...I would think Australia would be on the same level as us with the use of drugs? It's not a third world country.

There was so many dog deaths, and lawsuits against the makers of Proheart 6 (Fort Dodge)....just have to google for adverse affects.

This is a deadly chemical that sits in the body for 6 months. Heartgard given monthy only stays in the body for less than 24 hours, or as fast as the kidneys and liver can process it.

An injectable HW preventative is something I would NEVER give to my dog.

Gina

[Terri Lambert]

I work at a veterinary hospital and we had a heartgard rep in today and he said heartgard can be started on pups at 6 weeks. Also heartgard works backwards as in kills microflaria that the dog contracted in the last month. So if your puppy is 18 pounds today you can safetly give 0 to 25 pound dose. As with Proheart that was taken off the market about six months after it came out, not a good product dogs were dying from it.

[MT79]

Great! I'll go ahead and give it to him tomorrow. Thanks everyone for the responses.