Is it really a big problem in northern California?

This article sorta makes sense...

- Terrierman's Daily Dose -

Here's a thread where the article was discussed: http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...worm-scam.html (Is There A Billion Dollar Heartworm Scam?)

As someone who volunteers with rescue and has had my own rescue golden go through treatment, HW preventative is a must in my books--my golden already had heart & lung damage by the time he was treated & it was an extremely painful treatment for him, that no dog should have to endure.

YES !! I have had many of my rescues show up HW positive , all from California.

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Yes by all means keep your dog on a heartworm preventative. I live near Lake Tahoe and a lot of people in this area take their dogs off the preventative during the winter months which I disagree with strongly. There are still days when mosquito's are present and what happens when you go down below with your untreated dog? It's so sad to see dogs pick this up when it can be prevented.

Pete

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Sonny, the black lab, ran ahead to make sure there were no gophers or jackrabbits in the way. If you don't give a dog a specific job, he'll improvise one for himself and it will invariably be fun. There's a lesson there.
John Gierach

I'm in SoCal and my vet is adamant we do year round HW prevention.


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I had a dog test positive for heartworm and go through the treatment (this was back in the early 80s before heartworms were wide-spread and limited to the south). It was expensive and not much fun for our dog or us. From that time on, all our dogs have been on year-round preventative. I'd never take the chance again.

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**Fraulein "Maggie" Louise 8/2/95 - 7/20/09**
*At Rainbow Bridge but Forever in Our Hearts*

I was just informed by one of our wiser members that certain conditions are required for the heartworm parasite to live and pose a threat to our pups. I'm not suggesting that heartworm isn't a threat to your dog here in California, it definately is. I think the best approach regarding a heartworm preventative would be to talk to your local vet. Hope this helps...

Pete

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Sonny, the black lab, ran ahead to make sure there were no gophers or jackrabbits in the way. If you don't give a dog a specific job, he'll improvise one for himself and it will invariably be fun. There's a lesson there.
John Gierach