Hello Everyone -

I have three dachshunds which I monthly give Sentinel heartworm treatment pills. My problem is that I am almost a month behind on their treatment because my vet will not authorize the prescription until she has now tested all three for heartworm - an idea that would have been grand when I just had two out of three of them in the office. They also do not sell the pills in their office so I need to get them from 1800 petmeds. My concern right now is that they are going a month without this treatment in the summer. I am trying to keep them inside as much as possible, but they do like to be outside in the summer. I am angry that it is so hard to get them their prescription right now - especially when I was just in the office. I still have another week's wait before I can even get the prescription faxed in! Is this something that can put my dog's in danger? I am going around in circles on this and have no way to get their heartworm pills. Will they be okay?

Amy

The occurrence and therefore risk of heartworm varies from state to state. I have also freaked out when I realised I accidentally skipped a month on my black lab Missy and we live in Mosquitoville Florida. However I called her vet as soon as I found out and he reassured me that its probably okay. She was tested shortly thereafter and turned out fine. But you and I know that it only takes one so I wouldn't push it. Can you try calling another vet or pleading with the old one again?

I have missed several months before and my vet said that a test would only be needed if I was six months behind. (I believe it takes time for the heartworms to show up.) I think you should be okay about missing just one month... and like "Val" said try going to another vet or re-discussing it with yours.