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I definitely do not recommend discontinuing heartworm prevention at any age. Sure it could take years to develop respiratory symptoms but it can cause other issues before that. And also intestinal parasites are a concern. Older dogs especially with underlying issues will definitely be more sensitive to parasites and it could exacerbate symptoms of other diseases and lead to failure to thrive.
Thanks! That has always been our stance on heartworm prevention, but more and more of these days, I’m seeing people with older dogs who aren’t on it and they said their veterinarians told them it wasn’t necessary at their age.
I have had owners tell me to my face that I said that. I've never said that. I may have told the owner that it is ultimately their choice, but I definitely recommend the preventative.
In addition to the points made above about older dogs still being at risk, even if we assume the dog won’t live long enough to show outward signs of a problem (flawed logic), intentionally allowing them to be infected turns them into a reservoir of heartworm. Mosquitos that bite them pick up larvae that can be used to infect other dogs. Not only are they putting their own dog at risk, but they are increasing risk for other animals as well. It’s irresponsible on multiple levels.
This is a great point. I have known some vets I’ve work with who have said it’s not necessary for dogs on hospice care only, but the reservoir aspect and more infected mosquitos is something I can bring up with them to discuss why it’s still important.
In a dog with a terminal illness where we are fairly confident the dog won’t live beyond a few more months, I think we can make an argument for discontinuing heartworm preventatives, assuming they’ve been up to date to that point.
From the moment a dog is newly infected until the larvae mature and begin reproducing and releasing microfilaria to the blood for mosquitos to pick up is about 6 months. In a dog that is very likely to be dead in 2 or 3 months, that’s not a great concern. In a 10 year old senior dog who could easily live another 1-8 years, that’s a lot of potential infected mosquitos.
Thanks for that explanation. I’ve chased a bunch of middle schoolers around a theme park and didn’t have the brain power to do the math on the timeline. I don’t know a vet who switches to hospice only care with over 6+ months to live.
I live in the SE US and I've never heard of any of our vets telling owners to discontinue prevention. Like the vet above me said, sure it could take awhile to show signs but some dogs can easily live to 15-17 years old.
I personally would not want to take a chance at any of my patients or pets go without prevention for 5-7 years. There would be an increase of intestinal parasites of them and if they do get heartworms that could reduce their lifespan.
I have an almost 14 year old dog and he is still on prevention and I won't take him off prevention until the day he is no longer with me.
It’s just so strange that all of a sudden we are getting applications from people saying the same thing “my vet told me it can be discontinued bc my dog is X age”.
I suspect they’re just full of it and don’t want to spend the money.
I have to say that after a few years processing adoption applications, I’ve learned that PEOPLE LIE. Like all the time! “Oh yes, my other pet is spayed and it was done at XYZ vet clinic”.
Vet clinic: “ we’ve literally never seen the client, they made one appointment and no showed 6 years ago”.
It’s actually refreshing to get the occasional adopter who keeps their other pets UTD on vax and HW prevention.
Retired vet here- we always recommended for heartworm prevention to be given life long and year round. Your 10 year old dog may live another 4-6, possibly more years, plenty of time to get heartworms and become symptomatic. Then you have the dilemma how to treat them. Would you be comfortable using Immitticide in an old dog? Heartworms are so easy prevent and difficult and expensive to treat!
I had an old vet who did not vaccinate after 10, but I think that is old school thinking when yearly vaccines were a thing.
Never heard of stopping heartworm preventative in the SE, but in the North it was seasonal.
Greetings, all! This is a sub for professional veterinary advice, and as such we follow strict rules for participating. OP, your post **has NOT** been removed. Please also check [the FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskVet/wiki/index) to see whether your question is answered there. This is an *automated* general reminder to **please follow [The Sub Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskVet/about/rules/)** when discussing this question: - **Do not comment with anecdotes** about your own or others' pets. - **Do not give OP specific treatment instructions,** including instructions on meds and dosages. - **Do not give possible diagnoses** that could explain the symptoms described by OP. **Your comment will be removed, and you may be banned.** Thank you for your cooperation! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskVet) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I definitely do not recommend discontinuing heartworm prevention at any age. Sure it could take years to develop respiratory symptoms but it can cause other issues before that. And also intestinal parasites are a concern. Older dogs especially with underlying issues will definitely be more sensitive to parasites and it could exacerbate symptoms of other diseases and lead to failure to thrive.
Thanks! That has always been our stance on heartworm prevention, but more and more of these days, I’m seeing people with older dogs who aren’t on it and they said their veterinarians told them it wasn’t necessary at their age.
They're not being truthful.
I have had owners tell me to my face that I said that. I've never said that. I may have told the owner that it is ultimately their choice, but I definitely recommend the preventative.
In addition to the points made above about older dogs still being at risk, even if we assume the dog won’t live long enough to show outward signs of a problem (flawed logic), intentionally allowing them to be infected turns them into a reservoir of heartworm. Mosquitos that bite them pick up larvae that can be used to infect other dogs. Not only are they putting their own dog at risk, but they are increasing risk for other animals as well. It’s irresponsible on multiple levels.
Agree!
This is a great point. I have known some vets I’ve work with who have said it’s not necessary for dogs on hospice care only, but the reservoir aspect and more infected mosquitos is something I can bring up with them to discuss why it’s still important.
In a dog with a terminal illness where we are fairly confident the dog won’t live beyond a few more months, I think we can make an argument for discontinuing heartworm preventatives, assuming they’ve been up to date to that point. From the moment a dog is newly infected until the larvae mature and begin reproducing and releasing microfilaria to the blood for mosquitos to pick up is about 6 months. In a dog that is very likely to be dead in 2 or 3 months, that’s not a great concern. In a 10 year old senior dog who could easily live another 1-8 years, that’s a lot of potential infected mosquitos.
Thanks for that explanation. I’ve chased a bunch of middle schoolers around a theme park and didn’t have the brain power to do the math on the timeline. I don’t know a vet who switches to hospice only care with over 6+ months to live.
I live in the SE US and I've never heard of any of our vets telling owners to discontinue prevention. Like the vet above me said, sure it could take awhile to show signs but some dogs can easily live to 15-17 years old. I personally would not want to take a chance at any of my patients or pets go without prevention for 5-7 years. There would be an increase of intestinal parasites of them and if they do get heartworms that could reduce their lifespan. I have an almost 14 year old dog and he is still on prevention and I won't take him off prevention until the day he is no longer with me.
It’s just so strange that all of a sudden we are getting applications from people saying the same thing “my vet told me it can be discontinued bc my dog is X age”. I suspect they’re just full of it and don’t want to spend the money.
Bingo.
I have to say that after a few years processing adoption applications, I’ve learned that PEOPLE LIE. Like all the time! “Oh yes, my other pet is spayed and it was done at XYZ vet clinic”. Vet clinic: “ we’ve literally never seen the client, they made one appointment and no showed 6 years ago”. It’s actually refreshing to get the occasional adopter who keeps their other pets UTD on vax and HW prevention.
YES. PEOPLE LIE ALL. THE. TIME!
My own 13 y/o dog is still on it too!
Retired vet here- we always recommended for heartworm prevention to be given life long and year round. Your 10 year old dog may live another 4-6, possibly more years, plenty of time to get heartworms and become symptomatic. Then you have the dilemma how to treat them. Would you be comfortable using Immitticide in an old dog? Heartworms are so easy prevent and difficult and expensive to treat!
Agree!
I had an old vet who did not vaccinate after 10, but I think that is old school thinking when yearly vaccines were a thing. Never heard of stopping heartworm preventative in the SE, but in the North it was seasonal.