parasites and heartworms

[kungfu_barbi]

i have a 6 month old husky mix pup.  i delayed his vax as long as i could, but my (stupid) vet said they wouldn't nueter him unless he was vaxed.  

according to the test, he does not have parasites. however, the vet also pressured me to get heartworm meds (brand:  interceptor) even though i have literally seen 3 mosquitoes in the 20+ years i've lived in this area. 

do you give your dog hearworm meds?  have you ever used INTECEPTOR?  have you heard anything about it? 

thank you in advance for any advice.

[Arduinna]

Where do you live? We lived in the mohave desert for over 10 years, we never had mosquitoes or fleas and we did not use heartworm meds. Now we live in the gulf south and you bet my dogs are on heartworm. We use sentinal because it is a combo, heartworm, flea, dewormer. I've never used interceptor. 

As for the vax, you could try and find another vet but IME they are pretty headstrong on the vax before boarding and surgery. I'd call around and find one that has the lowest vax requirement that you actually trust to do the neuter.

[kungfu_barbi]

thank you, arduinna.  i appreciate your kind response.  i think i just needed a sanity check.  :-)