Ignoring flea & tick prevention.....
I have two medium sized rescue mixed-breed doggies. I have not given them any flea, tick, or heartworm control medication for the last 2-3 years. I used to use things like Revolution, Frontline, Heartguard, etc. But I discovered that once I eradicated the fleas from the dogs, they never came back.
My dogs are indoor dogs, but they have a doggie door and they go into backyard at will. They also walk the front yard a few times a day unobserved, and I am quite sure they will stick there noses into anything they find that interests them. But they dont run away, so I allow the ocassional wandering of the front yard and my neighbors yards.... we live in a cul-de-sac, so there is only one way in/out and there is very little traffic. We live in an inner suburb of San Antonio, Texas. It is warm generally all year.
I know when I was a kid, before things like revolution were invented, we were always fighting fleas with powders we would put on the dogs. Revolution was not around yet. But medications like revolution seem to be so effective.... it would seem that once eradicated, the fleas just dont come back.... in my neck of the woods that is.
Fleas are easy to detect. Heartworms impossible to detect. But since I take my dogs to a kennel a few times a year, I am forced to keep vaccinations up to date. Assuming I opt for a heartworm test every year..... is it ok that I just keep on going this way? Using no monthly prevention techniques or medications?
Thanks
Of course there are always risks and you will have to weight them out to determine the best course of action. Depending on where you live some things may be a no-brainer some other may even be life threatening. The biggest risks in my opinion are heartworms and tick-born diseases. Worms may cause yes GI upsets, diarrhea, but I would think rarely they may cause a life threatening condition unless really heavily infested. However, one important thing to consider is that roundworms may cause scary conditions in children (larvae migrans, which can cause even blindness) when they play in areas dogs have soiled, something to consider thoughtfully. Fleas may bring tapeworms and annoying itches. Ticks, may not be much an issue if your dog is out of tall grass and you can check him often by grooming. Heartworm risks vary based on where you live. Dr. Dobias claims "Heartworm life cycle is dependent on temperature that must remain above 57 degrees F (14 C ) for at least 45 days straight and at least 2 weeks of temperatures over 80 F ( If these conditions are not fulfilled, the parasite cycle cannot be completed and your dog is safe.)" He also though mentions that in many places there might not be need for year-round prevention except for certain parts of Texas. It therefore seems like there may be pockets of areas where things may be more risky. For your reference here are his thoughts,
http://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/110150...-heartworm
I personally would not feel comfortable not giving heartworm meds every month as I always have done. I read the above article, and it does make sense that drug reps want to push their heartworm meds using scare tactics, but if one were to not give heartworm on a monthly basis I think it would be crucial doing often blood tests as the vet points out. Personally, I prefer giving heartworm every month than going through the hassle of seeing the vet for bloodwork 3-4 times a year. It's more economical and less of a hassle.