Expert: Jannie Balliett - 11/22/2010

Question
Jannie - I have a 2 yr old female that I wanted to breed with my male dog. I have always taken care of my dogs and given them their meds and vaccinations. I took my female to the vet for her annual checkup last week and the vet told me she had heart worm ( adult stage). She is in the middle of the 2nd stage in her heat cycle and like I said was planning on breeding her. Now Im not sure if it this is a good idea. Can you share some light on the subject. Should I breed her with the recent diagnosis of a heartworm. Should I get a second opinion - I have always given her the heartguard medicine so I dont understand why she would have it - my male doesnt>????  

Answer
NO, YOU CANNOT BREED HER WITH HEART WORMS- SECOND STAGE IS EVEN WORSE-- SHE WILL DIE AND THE PUPPIES WILL DIE!

Google "heart worms" and look at what they do to the heart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


She still may not survive this.

Why on earth didn't you have her and all your dogs on a once a month heart worm preventative?

You say you "take care of your dogs"... well, no you do not.

I am appalled by your consideration to breed her and put her through a 63 day pregnancy, whelping, and nursing...

Do you have any clue as to how traumatic that is on a healthy bitch?

Get educated.