Yes. Mosquitoes, which are responsible for transmitting heartworm disease, can survive all year in many states. This makes monthly prevention important. It is simple to protect your dog with HEARTGARD Plus, a once-a-month tasty beef chewable from Merial. HEARTGARD Plus also treats and controls roundworm and hookworm.

For prevention of infestation, start before you even see a flea or tick. Then, reapply only once a month. If you see fleas on your dog after it has been treated, they've been picked up from the environment after FRONTLINE Plus was applied and they'll be killed.

No, you cannot get Lyme disease from your dog. You can only get Lyme disease by being bitten by a tick that is infected with Borrelia burgdoferi. The ticks that carry Lyme disease feed on people as well as dogs.

Since your veterinarian is familiar with your dog's health history and understands the disease conditions in your area, he or she can best determine the correct vaccination schedule for your dog. In general, a veterinarian will administer a series of vaccinations early in a dog's life to help develop its immunity against a number of diseases. Mature dogs require regular revaccinations, called boosters, to help maintain their immunity. Your veterinarian will assess your dog's risk factors and recommend a customized vaccination program.

When a vaccine for a specific disease is given to your dog, its immune system produces substances called antibodies that work against a specific virus or bacteria. A nursing puppy receives certain antibodies from its mother that help protect it from disease early in life. Interestingly, these same antibodies, passed in the mother's milk, can also keep a vaccine from being completely effective. Since the presence of maternal antibodies gradually decreases as a puppy gets older, the puppy must create new antibodies to help ward off disease. A series of vaccines over a period of time stimulates the puppy to produce its own antibodies.

The way an individual animal reacts to a vaccine depends on a number of factors, including its age, the type of vaccination, and the dog's overall health. In all likelihood your dog will act normally. It may experience a few mild signs such as fatigue, a slight fever, or lack of appetite. If these symptoms persist beyond 48 hours, consult your veterinarian.