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What should I do if I miss a dose of my dog's heartworm prevention? - Northern Oaks Bird And Animal Hospital

Give it as soon as you remember. Then remember, six months from that time, they need to be tested because it takes six months from the time of a bite to show active infection.

Contributed by Becka Byrd MS, cVMA from

Can I do anything in my dog’s environment to reduce the risk of heartworm? - Northern Oaks Bird And Animal Hospital

Treating mosquitoes by keeping your yard free of mosquitoes, standing water, or anything that helps prevent mosquitoes will reduce the risk of heartworm infection.

Contributed by Becka Byrd MS, cVMA from

Are there any holistic or over-the-counter dog heartworm preventatives? - Northern Oaks Bird And Animal Hospital

Absolutely not. There are some online claims that there can be preventatives or treatments. There's even a Guinness remedy out there, but those are absolutely not effective.

Contributed by Becka Byrd MS, cVMA from

Does my dog still need a heartworm test if they are on prevention? - Northern Oaks Bird And Animal Hospital

They do because there are cases, like any medication, where there's a breakthrough infection.

Contributed by Becka Byrd MS, cVMA from

How effective is heartworm prevention? - Northern Oaks Bird And Animal Hospital

Extremely effective. There are cases where dogs can spit out a heartworm preventative treat or where a topical preventative doesn't actually hit the skin. In those cases, if the preventative was purchased through a veterinary source, the heartworm preventative company will guarantee the product and cover treatment. However, almost all of the time, it is very effective.

Contributed by Becka Byrd MS, cVMA from

When should I start heartworm prevention for my dog? - Northern Oaks Bird And Animal Hospital

As soon as you obtain your dog. Heartworms are something that's deadly, and it's a risk year-round in south Texas because we never get rid of mosquitoes, which is the vector for them.

Contributed by Becka Byrd MS, cVMA from

How is heartworm prevented in dogs? - Northern Oaks Bird And Animal Hospital

It's pretty easily prevented with one of several different types of prevention. There are chewables that are given monthly, and there are also injections that can be given once every six months or once a year.

Contributed by Becka Byrd MS, cVMA from

What is environmental enrichment and how can it help my dog’s behavior? - Lowell Animal Hospital

Environmental enrichment is a way to keep your pet happy and satisfied at home. It's primarily treat-motivated and toys that they can play with on their own. You don't need to buy these specific toys. If you Google it, there are tons of things that you can buy for environmental enrichment. I literally just toss some cookies under a rug, and they'll sniff it out and find it and be pretty excited about it. One of my favorite environmental enrichment toys is a kong or maybe a bone marrow stuffed with peanut butter. But if you Google it, there are some pretty cool treat hiding, environmental enrichment toys that you can get.

Contributed by Aubrey Llano from

What vaccinations are needed for dog training classes? - Lowell Animal Hospital

I don't know specifically what is needed. Each training facility will probably have its own protocol, but what Lowell Animal Hospital recommends is rabies, the distemper vaccine, which has distemper, hepatitis parvo, and parainfluenza. If you add the leptospirosis vaccine, that's fine. Then there's the Bordetella vaccine, which is very important. That's what we recommend.

Contributed by Aubrey Llano from

What should I look for in a dog trainer? - Lowell Animal Hospital

That's a good question. The trainer should be asking you a lot of questions. If they're not involved in keeping you informed and getting to know your dog specifically, find one that will. Trainers should be certified and be able to give you training because you're really the one that needs to be trained the most, not just your dog. Do not expect to take your pet to a trainer and have them trained and then not have to work with them later on. It's work. If you're consistent with it, the program works, and it's fantastic, then you'll have a very obedient pet for the rest of its life that can stay safe.

Contributed by Aubrey Llano from
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