What to Do if I Miss a Dose of My Dog’s Heartworm Preventative?

Forgetting to give your dog their medication can have various consequences depending on the specific heartworm medication such as oral, topical or Injectable medications and your dog’s health. Missed doses of parasite preventatives can leave your dog vulnerable to fleas, ticks, and worms, while missed doses of medications for chronic conditions can worsen or cause relapse.

If you realize the dose is less than two weeks late, administer it immediately and then resume your usual schedule. However, if it’s over two weeks late, it’s essential to consult your vet for specific guidance and possibly schedule a heartworm test in six months. Not sure why this timing matters or what the next steps should be to safeguard your dog’s health? Let’s break down the details to help you stay on track.

What Should I Do If I Forget to Give My Dog Heartworm Medication?

The appropriate action depends on how much time has passed since the missed dose:

• If less than two weeks late:

Giving the missed dose immediately and then resume your regular monthly dosing schedule. Your dog should still be protected due to the medication’s grace period, which typically lasts around 45 days.

• If more than two weeks late:

Contact your veterinarian for guidance. They will likely advise giving the missed dose right away and resuming the normal schedule. Additionally, your vet will recommend a heartworm test in 6 months.

It’s crucial to schedule a heartworm test 6 months after the missed dose, regardless of the delay duration. This is because it takes about 6 months for heartworm larvae to mature into detectable adults.

Remember, the impact of a missed dose depends on several factors:

• When the doses were missed
• How many doses were missed
• Which heartworm preventative is being used
• The prevalence of heartworm disease in your area

Consistent prevention is key to protecting your dog from this serious but preventable disease. Heartworm has been found in all 50 U.S. states, making year-round prevention crucial, even in areas with seasonal mosquito activity.

Why is it important to never miss a heartworm dose?

Missing a dose increases your dog’s vulnerability to heartworm infection, which can lead to serious and potentially fatal heartworm disease. Transmitted through mosquito bites, it poses a risk in all U.S. states. Prevention is essential since treatment can be costly, complicated, and risky. However, keeping in mind that:

• For dogs, monthly oral or topical medications, or twice-yearly injections, are used to kill heartworm larvae before they mature. These preventatives clear out larvae but don’t prevent the initial infection, so consistent, year-round prevention is crucial.
• Infected dogs can be treated, but the process is expensive, averaging over $2,700 (Source: Metlife) and can be higher with surgery. Treatment involves injections, antibiotics, and strict exercise restrictions over several months.

Year-round prevention, including regular medications and annual tests, is recommended by veterinarians to avoid the high costs and risks of treating heartworm disease.

Why give a heartworm preventative every 30 days?

Giving a heartworm preventative every 30 days ensures consistent protection by maintaining effective medication levels in your dog’s bloodstream. This prevents heartworm larvae from maturing into adults, reducing the risk of infection. Regular dosing avoids gaps in coverage, which could leave your dog vulnerable to heartworm disease.

 

Different heartworm preventatives have various dosing schedules, but the monthly administration is common for most oral and topical options. Here’s a quick comparison:

Preventative Type	Brand Example	Dosing Schedule
Oral	Heartgard Plus	Every 30 days
Topical	Revolution	Every 30 days
Injectable	ProHeart 6	Every 6 months

 

Choosing the right preventative and adhering to the recommended schedule helps safeguard your dog’s health and safety. Regular administration provides peace of mind and keeps your pet protected year-round.

Do I need to get my pet tested immediately if I missed a heartworm?

Immediate testing isn’t necessary if you miss a single dose of heartworm prevention. Many pet owners receive incorrect advice about this, even from some veterinarians. It’s important to understand that it takes at least 6 months for a pet to test positive for heartworms after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

Here’s what you should know:

• Even if your pet became infected during the time you missed a dose, test results wouldn’t show positive until at least 6 months after the initial infection.
• Most monthly heartworm medicines have a safety factor of at least 15 days of protection if a dose is missed.
• If you’ve only missed one dose recently, simply resume your regular dosing schedule.
• Plan for a heartworm test at your pet’s next annual check-up, or about 6 months after the missed dose.
• If you’ve missed several doses or are unsure about your pet’s protection status, consult your veterinarian for personalized advice.

Remember, while missing a single dose isn’t likely to be harmful in isolated circumstances, maintaining a consistent prevention schedule is crucial for your pet’s long-term health.

How Can We Prevent Forgetting Giving My Dog Heartworm Medication?

To prevent future missed doses, consider setting reminders or using long-acting preventatives such as Proheart 6, Proheart 12…. Always consult your veterinarian for personalized advice, as they can assess your dog’s individual risk based on these factors.

To make sure you never miss giving your dog their heartworm medication, consider these practical strategies:

• Set digital alerts: Use your phone, email, or calendar apps to schedule monthly notifications. This guarantees you get a prompt on the exact day your dog needs their dose.
• Use tangible reminders: Stickers on your fridge calendar or a note on your bathroom mirror can serve as constant visual cues.
• Associate dosing with monthly occasions: Link the medication schedule with a routine task like paying bills. This way, when you manage your finances, you’ll remember your dog’s heartworm preventative.
• Explore longer-lasting preventatives: Look into options like 6-month or annual injections. Fewer doses mean fewer chances to forget.
• Enroll in veterinary reminder services: Many vet clinics offer reminder services via texts, calls, or emails to keep you on track.
• Use smartphone applications designed for pet medication tracking: There are several apps specifically created to help pet owners manage medication schedules, making sure you never miss a dose.

Implementing these strategies can greatly reduce the risk of missing your dog’s heartworm medication, keeping your furry friend healthy and protected.

Conclusion

Missing a dose of your dog’s heartworm preventative isn’t the end of the world, but it’s important to act quickly. If it’s less than two weeks late, give the missed dose right away and stick to your regular schedule.

For doses over two weeks late, consult your vet and plan a heartworm test in six months. Staying consistent with preventatives is key to keeping your dog healthy and avoiding serious complications.

Don’t forget—your dog’s health depends on it!