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

Even the most attentive pet owners can occasionally miss a dose of heartworm preventative, whether due to a busy schedule or simply forgetting. When you realize your pet has gone unprotected, it’s natural to feel concerned, especially considering the serious risk of heartworm disease, which is prevalent across all 50 states and many countries worldwide. Fortunately, while heartworm disease is a significant threat, it’s also highly preventable with the right precautions

If you’ve missed a dose, you might be wondering what steps to take next. This article will walk you through exactly what you need to do to ensure your pet remains safe and protected. Keep reading to learn how to address this situation and keep your pet’s health on track

Key Takeaways

1. Administer the missed heartworm pill immediately. if it’s within two weeks of the scheduled date to stay within the effective 45-day period
2. Consult your veterinarian about your dog’s heartworm preventative. if more than two weeks have passed, they may advise administering the missed dose immediately, resuming your regular schedule, and possibly scheduling a heartworm test six months later
3. Set reminders or use tools to help prevent missing doses in the future
4. Explore injectable preventatives if remembering monthly doses is challenging, ensuring year-round protection

Why Give a Heartworm Preventative Every 30 Days?

Heartworm preventatives are most effective during the early stages of heartworm development, as they target the larvae before they mature into adult heartworms. However, after about 40-50 days, the larvae begin to mature, making preventatives less effective.

To ensure consistent protection, it is recommended to administer the heartworm preventative every 30 days. This routine not only covers the entire 45-day grace period after the initial mosquito bite but also simplifies the process for pet owners, making it easier to remember.

Additionally, giving the preventative every 30 days helps kill multiple types of worms that your pet may acquire from ingesting harmful substances, ensuring comprehensive protection year-round

Learn more about Heartworm Disease in Dogs here: https://anipetshop.com/dog-care/heartworm-disease-in-dogs/

Why Is It Important to Never Miss a Heartworm Dose?

The American Heartworm Society strongly recommends year-round heartworm protection because missing even one dose exposes your pet to the risk of a potentially fatal heartworm infection. Heartworms, which are transmitted through mosquito bites, can cause severe and life-threatening damage to your pet’s heart and lungs, and the consequences of heartworm disease are dire, often leading to severe health complications or even death if left untreated

Consider the following points to understand the importance of consistent heartworm prevention:

• Heartworm disease is deadly but preventable, and you can avoid it by never missing a dose
• Heartworm disease has been documented in all 50 states throughout the year, which means your pet is at risk regardless of where you live.
• Heartworm infection can cause varying degrees of heart and lung pathology in dogs, including exercise intolerance, coughing, and possible heart failure
• In some cases, heartworm disease can lead to sudden death, making consistent prevention crucial for your pet’s safety

For reasons above,if your dog does contract heartworms, treating heartworms in dogs can be a complex and costly process. By making monthly heartworm medication a consistent part of your pet’s health care routine, you can effectively interrupt the heartworm lifecycle and protect your pet from this deadly disease

What To Do If You Miss a Heartworm Preventative Dose?

• If it’s been less than two weeks since the scheduled date: Administer the missed dose immediately as this falls within the 45-day grace period where the preventative remains effective.
• If more than two weeks have passed: Contact your veterinarian as the lapse increases the risk of heartworm infection. Your veterinarian may advise you to administer the dose right away and then resume your normal monthly schedule, or they might recommend additional steps, such as scheduling a heartworm test six months from the missed dose.

This test is necessary because heartworm tests can only detect infections that started approximately six months prior. Although the risk of missing a single dose is generally low, especially if your dog has been consistently on prevention, it’s still wise to consult your vet. They can assess factors such as the timing of the missed dose, the type of preventative used, and the prevalence of heartworm in your area or places where your dog has traveled.

Depending on these factors, your vet may suggest additional testing or treatments, such as administering an antibiotic like doxycycline, to target young heartworms and prevent further complications

How Can We Prevent Forgetting Prevention?

Here are some helpful ways to ensure you never forget:

• Make it part of your routine: Incorporate heartworm medication into your pet’s regular health care schedule so it’s easier to remember
• Use reminder tools: Consider using reminder stickers on a physical calendar or placing a schedule on your fridge to cross off each month once the medication is given
• Set phone reminders: Utilize your phone’s calendar or alarm for monthly notifications, ensuring you stay on track
• Sign up for email reminders: Some preventative manufacturers offer free email reminders, helping you remember when doses are due
• Veterinary reminders: Ask your veterinary clinic if they provide reminder calls, emails, or even mail to help you stay consistent
• Consider an injectable option: If you often forget monthly doses, ask your vet about injectable preventatives that are given once or twice a year

For more detailed strategies on preventing heartworm in dogs, check out our complete guide !

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Get My Pet Tested Immediately If I Miss a Heartworm Dose?

No, it is not required to have your pet immediately tested for heartworms if they miss a single month of heartworm medication because it takes at least six months for a pet to test positive after being bitten by mosquitoes carrying heartworms. This means that even if your pet was infected during the time you missed a dose, the test results would not indicate a positive heartworm status until six months after the initial infection

If missing a dose isn’t harmful, why can’t I give my pet heartworm prevention when I want?

Missing a dose of heartworm prevention isn’t immediately harmful, but it leaves your pet vulnerable to infection because these medications provide continuous protection. Skipping doses of your dog’s heartworm preventative can significantly increase the risk of getting heartworm disease, especially during mosquito season

Moreover, pet parents should not create their own schedules for administering heartworm medication, as irregular use can lead to resistant strains of parasites. Since heartworm transmission can occur year-round, even in colder months, consistent prevention is crucial. Being a responsible pet owner means adhering to the prescribed schedule and ensuring your dog receives the necessary protection against getting heartworm disease. Therefore, regular veterinary check-ups and timely medication are essential for your pet’s health

Conclusion

Maintaining a strict schedule for administering heartworm preventatives is crucial for your pet’s health, as it effectively prevents the potentially fatal heartworm disease. However, if you forgot to give a dose, promptly administering it within the 45-day grace period is vital, or consult your vet for further guidance. By incorporating reminders and considering alternatives like injectable preventatives, you can ensure consistent protection. Ultimately, staying vigilant with heartworm prevention is the key to safeguarding your pet year-round.

References:

• American Heartworm Society. (n.d.). Heartworm basics. https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm-basics

• Nelson, D. (2023, June 1). Doctor, I missed a dose!. Veterinary Practice News. https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/doctor-i-missed-a-dose/