Heartworms and prevention on a budget

Working in a vet clinic, I see people come in with heartworm positive dogs way too often.  I can’t stress enough to people that paying for heartworm prevention each month is A LOT cheaper than letting your dog get heartworms and paying for treatment. 

First of all, I have a strong belief that if you can’t afford to take proper care of your pet, you shouldn’t have one.  I know that sounds harsh, but I see way too many sick or dying pets because their owners can’t afford proper care. 

But if you do insist on having a pet, PLEASE at least spend the $5 a month for heartworm prevention.  It is also required by law for dogs to be checked for heartworms yearly in order to continue prevention.  This is why a lot of people don’t keep their pets on prevention, because they think they can’t afford it.  I know if its time for your dog to have a heartworm test, its probably time for his or her vaccines as well.  If you absolutely cannot afford the vaccines, you CAN just get the heartworm test.  It is MUCH cheaper than paying hundreds of dollars to treat your dog for heartworms.  And letting your dog live with heartworms is always fatal.  Thats just not fair to them.

Don’t get me wrong, your pets vaccines are critical, too.  But if you need to, just do everything one at a time.  Don’t take too long in between, or you may be charged an additional exam fee.  Go to a feed store and get what vaccines you can do yourself there.  Then take your dog to the vet for a rabies and heartworm test.  Check your local shelters to see if they offer these services for a discounted price.

Another thing about heartworm prevention, is that you MUST buy it from a veterinarian!  The manufacturers and distributors of heartworm prevention ONLY sell their product to veterinarians.  THEY DO NOT SELL THEIR PRODUCT TO 1800PETMEDS OR OTHER ONLINE PHARMACIES!!!!  These online pharmacies get their product from other sources, which is why your heartworm prevention is NOT guaranteed!! If you buy your heartworm prevention from your veterinarian, it is GUARANTEED. If your pet is diagnosed with heartworms and your veterinarian has records of you purchasing the prevention, you do not have to pay a penny for treatment!!  Heartworm prevention is relatively cheap, so saving a little bit of money by buying online is not worth it if your pet ends up heartworm positive.

So please, if money is tight and you have pets,  educate yourself and learn that there ARE more inexpensive ways to care for your pet.  Higher quality care IS ideal for your pet, but cheaper care is better than no care.  You do have options.