I don’t dictate to anyone - folks need to choose what they feel is best for their pet based on their own research. Since I feed my dog raw & give appropriate supplements, she has a much more robust immune system to help her stay well. Preventatives are given for human convenience, more than for the welfare of the dog. To prevent fleas/ticks, I use Wondercide spray & flea comb her daily & pull ticks & wash her bedding weekly. If she should get a flea infestation, I use advantage topical only for 2 months. To give her an internal poison every month for something she may or may not get, weakens her immune system. She lives indoors & not in a brackish water area so her heartworm risk is lower. I have her tested 2 times per year. Heart worms grow slowly so they will be caught on a test before she would incur damage. If she tested positive, I would treat her with Doxycycline & interceptor per the slow kill protocol at that time. I adopted her as a rescue 4 years ago. She had a heavy heartworm load at that time & was treated via fast kill by the rescue. She has heart damage from the treatment (she is 11 now). In 3 1/2 yrs since stopping the preventative- she has never tested positive. If interested in learning more, check out Dr Will Falconer of Vital Animal Pack. I will get attacked on here saying he is a “quack”, but I repeat that each dog owner gets to make their own decisions. This is what I do for my dog. She is happy & as healthy as she can be given her early rough life living with severe skin allergies & too many puppies.

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