I have two 9 week old mini wirehaired dachshunds. One male, one female. The male is 4.3 lbs, the female is 3.5 lbs. I took them to the Vet for the new puppy exam and they appear to be healthy. My concern is that they want me to start them on Sentinel heartworm and Frontline Plus Flea & Tick medicine. I live in Connecticut and it is 7 degrees today. I don't see any reason to start them on these meds at this time of the year. Besides, I am concerned about giving such tiny and young pups this kind of medication. Anyone have any comments to help me decide what to do.:confused:

I have two 9 week old mini wirehaired dachshunds. One male, one female. The male is 4.3 lbs, the female is 3.5 lbs. I took them to the Vet for the new puppy exam and they appear to be healthy. My concern is that they want me to start them on Sentinel heartworm and Frontline Plus Flea & Tick medicine. I live in Connecticut and it is 7 degrees today. I don't see any reason to start them on these meds at this time of the year. Besides, I am concerned about giving such tiny and young pups this kind of medication. Anyone have any comments to help me decide what to do.:confused:


I trust my Vet 100% and follow her advice and also am comfortable questioning that advice. If you don't have that level of trust in your Vet or don't feel free to question his/her advice, perhaps you should change Vets.

Novartis :: Sentinel Flavor Tabs :: Tips & Resources (http://www.sentinelpet.com/tips_and_resources.html)

Frontline® - Kill 98-100% of fleas and ticks (http://frontline.us.merial.com/products/index.asp)

The point of these meds are that they are preventatives. While you may not see a reason to start them now, you always want to start them BEFORE there is a problem. The pups are too young to have heartworms, so start them on something - this will PREVENT them from contracting it when they do get old enough to get them. Frontline will work much more effectively if you keep it on your dog year round - and not just when the weather is warm. I live in KY and work in a vet clinic. The temperature here has been in the 30s and we see dogs infested with fleas this time of year at least twice a week.

Like I said, the name of the game is prevention. I strongly agree with your vet and suggest you start them on these. Plus, the sentinel should help with other intestinal parasites that puppies are prone to get.

Remember the 3 day rule on Frontline - no baths 3 days before or after applying it.

I trust my Vet 100% and follow her advice and also am comfortable questioning that advice. If you don't have that level of trust in your Vet or don't feel free to question his/her advice, perhaps you should change Vets.

Novartis :: Sentinel Flavor Tabs :: Tips & Resources (http://www.sentinelpet.com/tips_and_resources.html)

Frontline® - Kill 98-100% of fleas and ticks (http://frontline.us.merial.com/products/index.asp)

My Vet is on vacation. I had one of his partners, not familiar with her. I did call the office and talked to one of his girls, and they said I could wait until they get a little bigger to start the heartworm as long as they won't be going out or near other dogs. I think I will wait one more month, just to give them a little more time to grow. I will be seeing my regular Vet with them in two weeks, and will definitely discuss this with him then. Thanks for the reply.

Just so you know, heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. Dogs don't give it to other dogs.
So, them being around other dogs shouldn't matter.

Thank you for your reply. I realize that I need to start them on the meds soon. I did call my Vets office and spoke to one of the girls in the office and told her I wanted to wait at least the two weeks before I can get to see my own Vet. I saw one of his partners for the original new puppy check up. She said that would be okay. I have to give them one more dose of worming Meds on Jan. 5. I see the Vet the following week. I am paper training them right now and won't be bringing them outside for another two months, at least. I have checked them carefully for fleas and don't see any evidence of them. I plan on starting them on the meds several weeks before I start taking them outside. Thank you again for your answer. I will give them the meds year round once I start them. I'm glad you told me not to bath them the 3 days before and after. The Vet only me told me to keep them separated for at lease 6 hours after I give them the Frontline Plus. So they wouldn't be licking each other until it is completely dry.



The point of these meds are that they are preventatives. While you may not see a reason to start them now, you always want to start them BEFORE there is a problem. The pups are too young to have heartworms, so go ahead and start them on something - this will PREVENT them from contracting it when they do get old enough to get them. Frontline will work much more effectively if you keep it on your dog year round - and not just when the weather is warm. I live in KY and work in a vet clinic. The temperature here has been in the 30s and we see dogs infested with fleas this time of year at least twice a week.

Like I said, the name of the game is prevention. I strongly agree with your vet and suggest you start them on these. Plus, the sentinel should help with other intestinal parasites that puppies are prone to get.

Remember the 3 day rule on Frontline - no baths 3 days before or after applying it.

I knew that heartworms come from mosquitoes, but can't they pick up other things from other dogs that haven't had all their shots. Mine will be getting their last puupy shots in two weeks. I know they still will need a Rabies shot. Not sure what else.

Another question: Is it a bad idea to take your dog to these "Pet Parks" where the dogs get to run around and socialize with other dogs. Is your dog protected as long as they have had all their shots? There is no way of knowing if the other dogs have had theirs.


Just so you know, heartworms are carried by mosquitoes. Dogs don't give it to other dogs.
So, them being around other dogs shouldnt matter.

Most dog parks (and my vets) recommend you wait until four months. Because the dogs are off leash and in a very excitable state, I personally wouldn't risk it with such young and small pups. Yes, the dogs at the park should be friendly and well socialized, however it's not always the case.
I personally would not use the flea or heartworm medication until you talk to the vet you know and trust. My vet had me start at 3 months.

Oh - by the way, they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Did you recently adopt them or are the pups from your dog? Either way, congratulations.

Thank you for the advise and for the compliment on my babies. We just got them last week from a Breeder in Masschusetts.


Oh - by the way, they are absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Did you recently adopt them or are the pups from your dog? Either way, congratulations.

You're right, you should wait about getting your dogs around unfamiliar other dogs. You never know what they might have and might be able to give your gorgeous pups.
Typically, yes, your dog is protected if they have had all of their necessary shots. That's not to say that a dog that is properly vaccinated cannot contract parvo from another dog. Animal vaccines are just like human vaccines - nothing is ever 100%. (I'm not trying to scare you at all, just want you to be aware.)
If you're wanting to socialize your pups, I strongly suggest enrolling in a new puppy class. Most classes should require that everyone be current on vaccines and it would be in a more controlled environment. These classes are fpr sure offered at PetSmart, and you can always ask your vet and staff for their recommendations. If they don't know of anybody, call around to local groomers. They are almost always in the know.

Thank you again. That's a great idea. I will contact my local Petco tomorrow.:)


You're right, you should wait about getting your dogs around unfamiliar other dogs. You never know what they might have and might be able to give your gorgeous pups.
Typically, yes, your dog is protected if they have had all of their necessary shots. That's not to say that a dog that is properly vaccinated cannot contract parvo from another dog. Animal vaccines are just like human vaccines - nothing is ever 100%. (I'm not trying to scare you at all, just want you to be aware.)
If you're wanting to socialize your pups, I strongly suggest enrolling in a new puppy class. Most classes should require that everyone be current on vaccines and it would be in a more controlled environment. These classes are fpr sure offered at PetSmart, and you can always ask your vet and staff for their recommendations. If they dont know of anybody, call around to local groomers. They are almost always in the know.

Thank you again. That's a great idea. I will contact my local Petco tomorrow.:)



Be sure you do your homework. I have no idea what are you are in but I had an absolutely terrible experience with an inexperienced, unqualified, untrained (apparently they watch videos and read books) dog "trainer" at a pet store. She was heavy handed, the dogs were afraid of her, there was little attempt to verify innoculations.

I found a private, qualified trainer (whose references were not her family members) and was very satisfied.

I'm sure this is not the case with all of the staff members at pet stores but I'd attend at least one "class" and also verify credentials.

Thanks for the heads up. I haven't started any classes yet. Just thinking about it. Thanks to your warning, I just called Petco in town and they tell me that the lady that does the training has been running these classes for over 20 years. I am going to call her and talk to her on Tuesday and find out more about her. I am also going to check with my Vet to see who he would recommend.



Be sure you do your homework. I have no idea what are you are in but I had an absolutely terrible experience with an inexperienced, unqualified, untrained (apparently they watch videos and read books) dog "trainer" at a pet store. She was heavy handed, the dogs were afraid of her, there was little attempt to verify innoculations.

I found a private, qualified trainer (whose references were not her family members) and was very satisfied.

I'm sure this is not the case with all of the staff members at pet stores but I'd attend at least one "class" and also verify credentials.