I've read all previous posts regarding vaccinations on this site, as well as numerous information on other sites, and have 2 questions.

I have concluded that my 16 y/o Beagle only needs a Titers test, while my 3y/o Golden, 8 mth old Border Collie and 7 mth old Golden only need their Rabies shot. What I have not seen/read is if you all think annual Heartworm and Fecal tests are necessary.

All 4 dogs are on Heartguard but in order to get another yearly scrip, the heartworm test is required. Since nothing is injected for this, I am assuming it's not a problem, correct? Same for fecal tests?

Also, at what age is a dog considered an "Adult"? Ed's info says dogs over 6mths should no longer be fed puppy food, yet 6mths seems (to me) too young for them to be considered an adult.

Any feedback you could provide is appreciated. Thanks!

The fecal and heartworm test cannot hurt the dog in anyway. The fecal is done from a stool sample that you collect fresh "from the oven" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and the heartworm test is done by a blood sample drawn at your vet. If your dog has a parasites/worms the treatment will be prescribed. Usually it's nothing more than a wormer in liquid or pill form specificlly dosed for your dog's weight. If he has heartworms, the treatment can be expensive and extensive depending on how severe the infestation is. Heartworms can and will eventually kill your dog so it's something you'd definitely want to treat. If his fecal test is positive for worms I would go ahead and treat also- it's inexpensive and can keep an infestation from building, even though he'll probably get worms again if he's outside or has contact with other animals.
I am assuming an animal is an adult when they have gone through puberty and are mentally mature? Small breed dogs would be adults around 9 months- 1 year old and large breed dogs from 1yr.- 2yr+. I guess it all depends on the individual dog & breed. If your considering when to switch foods, then it also matters on the weight gain of the dog. If he's growing too fast on the puppy food, switch to adult. If he is at adult age, switch to adult.

Thanks Alison. I understand the whole deal with heartworm, tests and treatment if they get heartworms. The Golden rescue I work with has put WAY TOO MANY dogs through HW treatment and it is VERY expensive...even when the vet does it at half the cost! (We actually lost our rescue Golden during HW treatment last June). I just wondered, if your dog is on Heartguard RELIGIOUSLY, can they still get heartworms, and therefore, is the test necessary? I would definitely have him checked every 2-3yrs, but I did not know if yearly was really required.

You mentioned that if the dog is growing too fast on puppy food switch to adult. Our Border Collie is from Animal Control and what he may or may not be mixed with is unknown, so I have no idea if he is growing too fast, or if he is part giraffe <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> but he is peeking his head up on the dining room table already. I just wondered if there was a ballpark of age/timetable to switch them over to adult food...?

Thanks again, Kate

It is a good idea to keep your dog on heartworm preventative year-round, as there have been heartworm cases in all 50 states. Keeping them on preventative will keep them from getting heartworms (unless you miss a dose), so I don't see why you are required to have a yearly hw test, unless the vet just wants to be sure that you've given the prevention as you were supposed to. Giving a dog hw prevention if he already has hw's can be deadly. Personally, I use Ivomec as a heartworm preventative with my dog because it's much cheaper than the monthly pills you buy from the vet. Before starting any type of hw prevention, though, you should talk to your vet and get your dog tested. Ivomec has been known to be toxic in collies and shelties. I'm not sure about German shepherds.

Something else that most people do not know is that most dogs need to be de-wormed annually. Your dog could have worms and you not even know it, but a fecal test every year will let you know for sure.

I think to be exactly sure that your heartworm preventative works, it has to be given on the same day every month or 30 days. If it's a week late then there is an open window when he could get infected.

Actually, heartworm preventative can (and should, IMO) be given every 45 days, the manufacturers of Heartguard and Intercepter will tell you just that if you call them and ask them <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />. The only reason they tell you every 30 days is because was easier for the general population not to forget to give it to their dogs.
HW preventative isn't really a preventative, it's a cure (either Ivermectin or Millbemycin).
The monthly heartworm preventatives work to kill heartworm larvae that are 45 days or less in age and probably closer to 50 days.
Also here’s a good example and it will depends on when mosquitos start in your state (NJ mosquito season is April -September). So, let’s say I’m going to be on the safe side and think it’s possible there are mosquitos in March in my state. Well, I bring my dog in on March 1st for his heartworm test and it’s negative. So, on March 15 I give him a Heartguard pill #1 (remember, this covers any larvae he may have been infected with from March 1st through April 15. Then Heartguard pill #2 on June 1st, Heartguard pill #3 on July 15, and so on until October.
Make sense <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />?

Isn't Heartguard an intestinal wormer too? My vet gave me heartguard onstead of Rvolution when Sabian had roundworms, because it kills intestinal worms.
As far as the adult puppy switch, I think tha's more inportant for large breed dogs like GSDs. Sabian is 7mos, 70lb and 24". At this age, he is close to breed standards. His growth needs to slow down so theres not too much stress on joints and ligaments. So the adult food provides lower % of clacium and other stuff, and he grows slower. Did i explain that right?