Pet Insurance vs Vet Insurance.

Jekyll maximizing his couch real estate while I try to work.

One of the reasons I started Pawbly.com is because I know full well that most people will do whatever they can to avoid making an appointment to bring their pet in to see me. Whether it’s the inconvenience of taking the time out of their busy day, the stress of taking their pet out of the safety of the confines of their home, the idea of being told that “some medical condition might be serious,” the looming diagnostics, impending follow-ups, and the undeniable fact nothing is cheap anymore, people if given a choice would rather not visit me.

All of the previously listed possibilities scare people. But the simple truth is that in almost all cases if you are concerned about the health of your pet then I am going to tell you that you should have your pet seen by a veterinarian. That physical exam and the discussion that will ensue after, are essential. I know, not what you want to hear, and not what you want to do, but there are a few secrets that your vet has that benefit your pet far more than you might imagine.

Here are a few of the secrets that I tell clients that many of you might not know. (Why we don’t stencil over the front door I quite frankly don’t know? If everyone knew these secrets they would likely not be so hesitant to call us and book that appointment).

OUCH! one broken femur. Fixed a few days later.

Insurance policies

My honest opinion on them is this; if you have enough disposable income and want peace of mind then get your pet an insurance policy. But remember insurance companies are for profit businesses. They will never be able to pay out more than they bring in. You just have to hope that you get the benefits that you expect, when you need them. Human insurance companies are notorious for denying claims and I hope the same is never the case for you. If you think that insurance is right for you then look into the insurance carriers that cover you for accidents and illness only.

Here’s why: Your pet’s routine costs should be fairly close to fixed, thus making it easier to allot for them. The unforeseen disasters are the big wallops that will hit your wallet where it really hurts. If you don’t have the ability to put a thousand or two dollars down for a life threatening illness think about insurance. (If you want a specific company that I recommend just ask).

There are a few guarantees in life. Very few. If you decide to take on the responsibility of a living creature at some point that pet will get sick. It is inevitable. How can you get your pet the care they need and do it without walloping your wallet?

If you think the answer is insurance? I would reply, Maybe?

Little Hunter at his last puppy visit.

But do you know where the best insurance to be found is? At your vets office.

And here’s what should be plastered on every clinics walls. “You want a guarantee? See your Vet.”

Now there aren't many times in life that you are going to get a guarantee. And, in the world of medicine guarantees are elusive. Why? Well, because guarantees are binding. And no half-witted doctor wants to give you a binding obligation. I mean, shoot, we aren't perfect, we don’t have the ability to foretell the future. So, it would be crazy to say “guarantee” wouldn't it?

But, this is a word I will throw around. And I will guarantee a few things when it comes to your pet’s care if you are my client.

Heartworm disease can be fatal. It is a preventable disease and there are many options available to protect pets against it. Insurance? Well, if your pet is tested yearly and kept on a veterinary prescribed preventative purchased through your veterinarian AND if your pet contracts the disease the manufacturer of the heartworm preventive will cover your pet’s diagnosis and treatment. For most pets this is about a $2500 insurance policy. For my clients their heartworm preventative also covers for the intestinal worms it prevents or treats. If your pet’s yearly fecal examination yields a worm on the heartworm label the manufacturer will pay for the fecal test and the de-worming. In my clinic we use this guarantee at least twice a month. Last year we treated one heartworm positive dog on the heartworm manufacturers tab.

Charleston

Vaccines. Your pets vaccines should be individually tailored based on breed, age, location, and environment. Every vaccine your pet gets at your vet’s office is also guaranteed. If your pet gets the disease your veterinarian vaccinated for then the manufacturer will pay to test them AND to treat them. This includes kennel cough and Lyme disease. Which, unfortunately, dogs seem to get even with monthly flea and tick prevention and yearly vaccines. How many times have I called the manufacturer of these vaccines to stand by their guarantee? A lot! Almost weekly.

Any food or product you buy at the veterinary clinic or are prescribed by your vet is guaranteed. Ear cleaner, antibiotics, shampoos, flea and tick preventatives, the list goes on and on. If you spend $100 on a bag of prescription food, (not an uncommon price tag anymore), and your pet can’t tolerate it, or refuses to eat it, you can return it AND get your money back. All of the manufacturers will stand by their products and happily reimburse a client to keep the client and the veterinary clinic returning as customers.

Almost anything your pet needs your vet can help you resolve. ANYTHING. Big disasters can befall your pet, but your vet can help you find options. There are ALWAYS options. Ask for them, and don’t be afraid to ask about what your options may be at other veterinary facilities. There are referral clinics of every specialty, and if by chance they are beyond your means there are also general practitioners who have areas of interest and treatment options that your vet may not have. Ask many questions and search for a treatment plan that works for you.

Now, here is where I am going to stick my foot in my mouth. Veterinarians are some of the hardest working, most generous, compassionate, and selfless people around. Most of us own our own practice or work for someone who has spent decades building theirs. We live and work in our small community and word of mouth will kill you. We are, like many other small businesses in your community, there for the long haul and dependent on maintaining this relationship. If your pet needs something and I can help, I will. It is not a matter of how much you can afford, it is merely a matter of whether or not you want to help the pet that you are responsible for and that needs you. I’ll press my boldness further. We will stand by our services, goods, and your pet through thick or thin as long as we are both on the same side, and with veterinary healthcare there is only one side, helping your pet.

Savannah

Be good to your vet, be better to your pet, and get the best deal anyone can ever give you by keeping your pets care under your vet’s roof.

I guarantee that there isn't anyone who can beat that deal.

If you have a pet related question you can ask it for free at Pawbly.com. Or find me at Twitter, @FreePetAdvice. 

Where Can You Find The Best Insurance Policy For Your Pet?

One of the reasons I started Pawbly is because I know full well that most people will do whatever they can do avoid making an appointment to bring their pet in to see me. Whether it’s the inconvenience of taking the time out of their busy day, the stress of taking their pet out of the safety of the confines of their home, the idea of being told that “some medical condition might be serious,” the looming diagnostics, impending follow-ups, or the undeniable fact nothing is cheap anymore, people, in general try to avoid me.

The simple truth is that in almost all cases if you are concerned about the health of your pet then I am going to tell you that you should have your pet seen by a veterinarian. The physical exam and the discussion that will follow are essential. I know, not what you want to hear, and not what you want to do, but there are a few secrets that your vet has that benefit your pet far more than you might imagine.

I know that if more of you knew about them you would be less likely to be so hesitant to call us and book that appointment.

Let's start with the companies that make a profit based on your fear and your pets inevitable illness or accident.

Insurance Companies. My honest opinion on them is this; if you have enough disposable income and want peace of mind then get your pet an insurance policy. But remember insurance companies are for profit businesses. They will never be able to pay out more than they bring in. You just have to hope that you get the benefits that you need when you need them. Human insurance companies are notorious for denying claims, and all you can do is hope the same is never the case for you. My advice: if you still think that insurance is right for you then look into the insurance carriers that cover you for accidents and illness only. Here’s why. Your pet’s routine costs should be fairly close to fixed, thus making it easier to allot for them. The unforeseen disasters are the big wallops that will hit your wallet where it really hurts. If you don’t have the ability to put a thousand or two dollars down for a life threatening illness at any given time then think about insurance. (If you want a specific company that I recommend just ask).

There are a few guarantees in life. Very few. If you decide to take on the responsibility of a living creature at some point that pet will get sick. It is inevitable. How can you get your pet the care they need and do it without walloping your wallet? Insurance? Maybe.

But do you know where the best insurance to be found is? At your vets office.

And here’s what should be plastered on every clinics walls: “You want a guarantee? See your Vet.”

Now there aren't many times in life that you are going to get a guarantee. And, in the world of medicine guarantees are elusive and binding and no half-witted doctor wants to give you a binding obligation. I mean, shoot, we aren't perfect, we don’t have the ability to foretell the future. So, it would be crazy to say “guarantee” wouldn't it?

But, this is a word I will throw around, and I will guarantee a few things when it comes to your pet’s care if you are my client.

Let’s start with heartworm disease.

Heartworm disease can be fatal. It is a preventable disease and there are many options available to protect pets against this disease. Insurance? Well, if your pet is tested yearly and kept on a veterinary prescribed preventative purchased through your veterinarian AND if your pet contracts the disease the manufacturer of the heartworm preventive will cover your pet’s diagnosis and treatment. For most pets this is about a $2500 insurance policy. For my clients their heartworm preventative also covers for the intestinal worms it prevents or treats. If your pet’s yearly fecal examination yields a worm on the heartworm label the manufacturer will pay for the fecal test and the de-worming.

Vaccines. Your pets vaccines should be individually tailored based on breed, age, location, and environment. Every vaccine your pet gets is also guaranteed. If your pet gets the disease your veterinarian vaccinated for then the manufacturer will pay to test them AND to treat them. This includes kennel cough and Lyme disease. Which, unfortunately, dogs seem to get even with monthly flea and tick prevention and yearly vaccines. How many times have I called the manufacturer of these vaccines to stand by their guarantee? A lot, almost weekly.

Preventatives, medications, shampoos, food,,,the list goes on. If you buy any product from my clinic and you are unhappy with it we will refund your money or the manufacturer will replace the product. The foods we sell are guaranteed, the flea medications, the shampoo's, all of it. Why? because veterinarians rely on those manufacturers standing by their products. They help us take care of you.

Now, here is where I am going to stick my foot in my mouth. Veterinarians are some of the hardest working, most generous, compassionate, and selfless people around. Most of us own our own practice or work for someone who has spent decades building theirs. We live and work in our small community and word of mouth will kill you. We are, like many other small businesses in your community, there for the long haul and dependent on maintaining this relationship. If your pet needs something and I can help, I will. It is not a matter of how much you can afford, it is merely a matter of whether or not you want to help the pet that you are responsible for and that needs you. I’ll press my boldness further. We will stand by our services, goods, and your pet through thick or thin as long as we are both on the same side, and with veterinary healthcare there is only one side, helping your pet.

Be good to your vet, be better to your pet, and get the best deal anyone can ever give you by keeping your pets care under your vet’s roof.

I guarantee that there isn't anyone who can beat that deal.

If you have a pet related question you can ask me anytime at Pawbly.com. There are a host of people there who can help you and your pet and it is always free to use. Or find me on Twitter @FreePetAdvice.

Heartworm Survey

I received an email from my fellow blogger and dog health advocate Jana Rade. She writes the widely viewed blog DawgBlogger, publishes the DawgBusiness journal, and the daily online paper DVM's daily, and on twitter @DawgBlogger.

http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/. 

http://paper.li/DawgBlogger/dvms

She can also be found on twitter @DawgBlogger. If you have any kind of dog query I guarantee she has researched it, published about it, and helped other dog parents with it. 

The question she asked me was;

Question: Have you been seeing heartworm positive dogs in your area? Do you feel that dog owners underestimate the seriousness of the issue?

Your answer can be as long or short as you like. Publishing your answers includes backlinks to your website/blog. Here are links to the past surveys. 

http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2013/02/veterinarians-answer-what-is-biggest.html

http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2012/12/veterinarians-answer-what-is-your.html

http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2012/11/veterinarians-answer-what-do-you.html

Here is my answer;

Hello Jana,
What a great question!


I think that in light of the last few years of a struggling economy and many people being squeezed so tightly to try to make ends meet among a long list of demands from all sides that heartworm disease has become more prevalent.


I have spoken to many clients who have had to choose between "ideal care" for their pet which included flea & tick prevention, heartworm prevention, all recommended vaccines and high end food. For many of my clients their concerns about feeding their family and keeping a roof over their heads meant foregoing the recommendations of me, their veterinarian. I saw heartworm prevention sales decrease, and routine visits followed. I also saw an increase in advanced illness because many people took a "watch and wait approach" which in some cases caused more advanced, expensive, and more difficult to resolve diseases and illnesses. 

Between the decrease in available funds for pets due to the economy and a false sense of safety about the prevalence and consequences of heartworm disease I have seen more dogs test positive for heartworm disease in the last few years.


I do think that many people do not understand how easily and unknowingly the disease is spread, the simplicity and how economically in which it can be prevented, and the expense and danger treating this disease poses to their pet.


It seems that no matter how many times I tell clients about this potentially life threatening disease, the danger and expense of treating it, and the advances of modern medicine in being able to prevent it so effectively. I still see dogs that test positive.


One mention of advice (my twitter hashtag is after all "FreePetAdvice), Please buy your heartworm prevention from your veterinarian. If you do your pet is protected by the heartworm manufacturers guarantee, IF you give it monthly (as prescribed). And please test your pet yearly. If your pet tests positive you need to know ASAP.


I can be reached anytime at "Diary of a Real-Life Veterinarian" or if you ever have a pet question, curiosity, or just want to visit other pet loving people at www.Pawbly.com
Thanks Jana for always asking such great questions, and always educating us pet lovers.

Here is another link to an article on about the cost of treatment for heartworms;

http://www.smartbrief.com/05/20/13/ounce-heartworm-prevention-worth-pound-cure#.UZzClKKR-So

A link to an article on why we recommend annual heartworm testing;

http://www.smartbrief.com/04/11/13/why-annual-heartworm-testing-important-0#.UZzC9qKR-So

A link to an article on the rise of heartworm disease;

http://www.smartbrief.com/04/07/10/study-heartworm-cases-pets-are-rise#.UZzDP6KR-So

A link to understanding the heartworm cycle;

http://www.smartbrief.com/12/01/11/understanding-life-cycle-heartworms#.UZzDxqKR-So

Did you know that heartworm disease can be found in all 50 states? And that there is no treatment for cats?

http://www.smartbrief.com/04/03/12/early-spring-requires-extra-vigilance-preventing-heartworm-disease#.UZzEDKKR-So

Do you think that you can't afford heartworm prevention? Did you know that there are many options for prevention and that some of them are very affordable. Commercially available from about $4 per month. At over $1,000 for treatment and the considerable risk the disease causes, can you really afford NOT to treat?

What are your experiences?

Please share them with us, and please help educate others in the importance of protecting pets from this disease.

Thanks,

Krista

Have any questions about heartworm disease? Or heartworm prevention?

Ask us at pawbly.com. Always free, always there for you and your pet!

ASK --> CONNECT --> LEARN

Puppy Primer, The First Instructions.

Congratulations! 

How incredibly exciting is having a new puppy? 

Those little feet, the happy wag, the endless kisses, and the silly adorable play. It is the magical moments of a new life and the joys of learning about all of the new things to sniff, chew, toss, squeak, and discover. 

Along with the endless entertainment of a new puppy comes the responsibility of a new life. There is a lot to learn, remember, and protect your new pup from. But don't worry there is an army people available to help you. Ask for help, ask for advice, and know that every step of the way there are resources of every kind available to you. Here's the advice from a vet, but seek out friends, family and your puppies first family. 

We are all here to help you build a strong life-long bond. 

My first piece of advice is to see a vet within the first three days of  getting your new puppy. 

Until that time pick up all feces and keep your puppy in your yard and away from other pets. I know it sounds harsh and strict, but I have seen a new puppy become very sick very quickly and then get every other pet in their social circle sick. Play it safe and keep your puppy away from other puppies and dogs for the first few weeks. After they are 6 months old and have completed of their vaccines your puppy is fine to go out and see the world. Until then think of your puppy as having an "immature immune system". Even if you are getting shots every three weeks your pup still may not be able to face and defeat a challenge from a disease, even one that they have been vaccinated for. 

Another small note with the importance of a 'new pet visit'. If the breeder or adoption agency says 'up to date on shots' it is still a very good idea to see your vet as soon as possible. They will help you identify what your vaccine schedule is, whether or not you need any monthly preventatives, and give you lots of helpful advice. Their advice is well worth the minimal cost and the safety and well-being of your puppy.

Even as I ask you to keep your pup sheltered I do not want to tell you to keep them from being socialized. It is very important to expose your puppy to other pets so that they are not afraid of, or unable to interact with them. Most pets develop fear as a result of anxiety. The anxiety in many cases stems from either not having been exposed to other animals, or from not being allowed to learn how to act around others. Puppy classes are a wonderful way to safely introduce your puppy to others, and also how to effectively communicate with your puppy. Invite the whole family to go to class. You can all learn the new language of puppy talk together. And that way you can all help in the raising and rearing of your puppy.

If you have a small dog, the ability to make multiple return visits, or if you have any concerns about a vaccine reaction, I recommend that the vaccines be split up. 
I try not to give more than two shots per visit to the little, young, or sensitive pups. 

A microchip is a very safe, effective way to reunite you with your pet should you ever be separated  Have your puppy micro-chipped at your first visit. Puppy-napping has become a more and more common crime, especially in a depressed economy. A microchip can be easily and quickly placed and will not be painful if done by an experienced person. Remember to register your puppy immediately, and remember to keep your information updated should your puppy need to find you. 

Ask your veterinarian what they recommend for heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention. At our clinic we advocate they be used monthly. Heartworm preventatives prevent heartworm disease, which can be expensive to treat and fatal. Many preventatives are also monthly de-wormers. Every monthly pill will treat and prevent some of the most common intestinal worms. I tell my clients that "for all that we do for our pets in my opinion you get the biggest bang for your buck with heartworm prevention." I also recommend that it be given monthly year around so your pet is not at risk of getting heartworm disease. If you forget to give your pet a pill for longer than 6 weeks it is recommended that your pet be re-tested for heartworm disease before resuming the monthly prevention. The cost of the heartworm test is often more expensive than the skipping of the three months that you think your pet doesn't need to be treated. These products are dosed by your pets weight. Make sure that your pet is given the correct dose based on their size.

We also recommend a good monthly flea and tick preventative. In our neck of the woods we need this product because the ticks around the Mid-Atlantic region carry of Lyme disease. Along with the yearly vaccine the use of this product monthly will protect them

well against the dangers of Lyme disease.

For dogs less than twenty pounds I recommend using a harness and a leash to walk her. The harness is safer  than a collar, so they doesn't traumatize their trachea if they pull on the leash, and also that if you need to tug them quickly away from any dangers so that it won’t pull on their trachea. Smaller dogs have weaker cartilage so less trauma to the trachea is safer. With this said, discourage them from pulling. Being good on a leash is good manners.

For larger dogs I recommend a sturdy heavy 6 foot leash. Big dogs on retractable leashes can be catastrophic. If they lunge or run the leash can break, or it can pull you off your feet. I have seen many dogs hit by cars, run away, or people injured due retractable leashes.

The best thing that you can do for them is take them everywhere with you. Let them be the other kid and show them the world so they aren't afraid of anything.

If you find that your puppy is requiring too much time and attention and that they have too much energy for you to adequately get them tired then I would suggest that you get another puppy. I know it sounds crazy but two puppies can be easier than one. They tire each other out, they have far fewer behavioral issues (because they are happy and tired), and they will take some demands for attention off of your plate. I swear by the two puppy theory. I spend all day working and my puppies have each other to snuggle with, play with, and interact with. I know that they are happier because they have each other. My husband and I are happier too. Watching them play wrestle, sleep cuddled up together and being able to tell them to play with each other so that every so often we can actually spend a few moments together is a blessed thing.

Our Puppies.
Charlie and Jekyll doing their morning wiggle dance.

Take lots and lots of pictures, and please share them with everyone. And never hesitate to call your vet, friends, breeder, or adoption center if you have any questions or concerns. We are all here to help.

If you have any puppy (or any other kind of pet question) you can find answers anytime, and always free at Pawbly, or you can find me on Twitter @FreePetAdvice.

Heartworm Tests

Heartworm disease is spread by infected mosquito's that bite your pet. Many people have heard of heartworm disease in dogs, but not many realize it can affect cats too. 

Heartworm tests are recommended yearly for canines at many clinics. They are performed to insure that our dogs are heartworm disease free if they are currently on a preventative, or before implementing heartworm preventation. To add to the convenience of this test many laboratories and test kits combine other tests to the heartworm test.

Heartworm tests can be performed with an in-house SNAP test. When I explain this heartworm test to a client I tell them that it is like an at home pregnancy test, except we use blood instead of urine. Specifically we need 3 drops of blood. After a few minutes the test gives us a dot or series of dots. Many veterinary clinics use a combination test, for example, at my clinic we use a 4-Dx test for Dirofilaria immitis, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Borrelia burgdorferi. In plain terms heartworm disease, two other tick born diseases, and Lyme disease. This in-house test is quick, convenient, and accurate, but it’s not perfect.

There are also heartworm tests available through outside laboratories.These too are available as single or combination tests.

No one test is perfect because heartworms can be a bit elusive. Here's wh. If there is only one worm in the heart (mind you one worm can be a big worm, and the heart is a terribly sensitive fragile delicate place to have a bug). But one worm may not be enough to turn the test positive.The test is reported to be about 90% accurate of there are more than two worms.To further complicate the scenario if there are no females in the heart then the test will come up as negative. Also there is time delay between a dog becoming infected and the test being positive. This can be up to a 6 month delay. 

The most important thing a person can do is keep their pet on monthly heartworm prevention. With monthly heartworm prevention and a negative yearly test there is a very high likelihood that that pet is truly heartworm negative. For a newly adopted pet or a pet who doesn't get the preventative routinely it is suggested to perform the heartworm test every 6 months. Two negative tests 6 months apart is generally accepted to be a negative dog.

Here are some other helpful heartworm tips;

Any pet who tests positive should have another test done to confirm the first test. 

Any pet who has been off of preventatives for longer than 3 months should be tested, and then re-tested in 6 months.

Any pet who has heart disease and clinical signs consistent with heartworm infection should be re-tested.

Heartworm is a potentially fatal disease. It is easily and affordably be prevented with a preventative. As a veterinarian I urge my clients to protect their pets from this dangerous and expensive to treat disease.

For more information on heartworm disease see The AmericanHeartworm Society. http://www.heartwormsociety.org/

"Trends" magazine January 2013 edition had a veryinformative article. https://www.aahanet.org/AdvSponsorship/TrendsMagazine.aspx

If your pet tests positive talk to your veterinarian about how to best confirm the test. If your pet tests negative but has any signs of heartworm disease ask how you can confirm a negative test, or run other diagnostics to check for the presence of heartworms.

For information on an in-house IDEXX SNAP test. http://tinyurl.com/albbgmg

Signs Of A Bad Economy?

I hope that I can someday look back and talk about this time in my professional life the same way that my mentors talked about what being a vet was like 25 years ago.

I worked with one vet who would always talk about flea & ticks with the same opening lines. He would say, "25 years ago we only had powders and toxic smelly dips to use to treat flea infestations. Now we have these convenient monthly topicals. Boy veterinary medicine has changed! We may pay a little extra, but gone are the days of pets having to die of flea infestation because we didn't have anything effective to treat them with." He sold a whole lot of flea and tick preventatives when he recalled the "old days" with his clients.

I hope that someday I will be looking back, and talking about this terrible economy from an "I learned about blank because I lived through that time."

Here's how I am seeing the effects of a terrible economy.

People are dumping their problem pets at the shelters like I have never seen before. Any sign of a problem and they bail. It is disheartening to put it mildly. Somehow humanity has been lost because we are worried about our bank accounts. Now, I know this is a gross generalization, and I know that many people are truly struggling, but the people I see dumping their pets still have cable, iphones, and manicures. I just don't get it. I would sacrifice almost everything, (I mean this) to keep my pets. My pets are my salvation. My sanity, and my life companions. Maybe I just see the world differently? I don't know, I just don't understand it.

I am also seeing the number of positive heartworm cases escalating like I have never seen before. Fewer people are buying the preventative and giving it monthly, and more dogs are testing positive because of this. Subsequently more dogs are carrying the disease, more dogs are spreading the disease.

We are lucky that Northern Maryland is not a prevalent heartworm disease area. I used to see maybe 1 case a year, and these were usually rescue dogs that had come from down south, (heartworm disease is carried by mosquito's and it is much more common down south because of this), but in the last few months we have seen 4 cases.

Heartworm disease is spread by mosquito's infecting your dog (and cat) with microfilaria for a heartworm positive animal. The microfilaria are killed by heartworm preventatives that are available in chewable treat form, topical liquid form and even a 6 month injectable is available. In many cases the preventative costs a few dollars a month for each pet. It is safe, incredibly effective and as I say everyday, "one of the most important parts of pet care. because you get a lot of bang for your buck with heartworm preventatives. many of the available preventatives on the market today not only prevent this potentially life-threatening disease but they also treat and protect your pet against some of the most common intestinal worms your pet is susceptible to. For a few dollars a month you prevent disease, treat your pet or worms, and help insure that you and your children don't get one of these worms yourself." It is an easy sell no-brainer for me.

To make matters worse the treatment for this disease has become almost impossible, (I am using "almost" although it is more honest if I just omit it), to get the treatment for this disease. So what are we to do? More pets are getting the disease, and now we can't treat it. It is a preventative disease that is now becoming more and more common place. And dogs are being dumped at the shelters because a preventable disease is now harder (and very expensive) to treat.

Am I going to look back on this time in history and say, "I lived, and practiced through a time in history where a completely preventable life-threatening disease that I rarely ever saw became an epidemic because people chose to not use the preventative and then couldn't treat their dog when they became positive with heartworms?"

Gosh, I really hope not.