My pet is being treated for congestive heart failure. Is is safe to still vaccinate my pet, continue heartworm preventative, flea/tick medications, and vitamin or joint supplements?
Generally, yes. However, if patients have active heart failure and are sick, we generally recommend delaying vaccinations until they are doing well for at least a month or two on cardiac medications. We are obligated by law to continue vaccinating dogs and cats for rabies. Patients that are too sick for a vaccination may have their blood tested to see if they have adequate antibody titers for protection against the rabies virus. This test may be performed by your regular veterinarian, and the blood is sent to the lab at Kansas State University. Most boarding facilities require vaccination for Bordetella. Heartworm preventative is absolutely safe and recommended for patients being treated for congestive heart failure. Mosquitoes are present in South Florida year round, and even dogs with heart failure may be infected with heartworms. DO NOT STOP GIVING HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE. Flea and tick medications are generally safe for patients with congestive heart failure. Ask your regular veteri
