The Appropriate Use of Generic Heartgard

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     Heartworm is a devastating parasitic infection that dogs and other members of the canine family are susceptible to. The disease is fatal if left untreated, and the treatment is uncomfortable, dangerous, and requires long periods of enforced rest. Preventing these problems is simple, if you give your dog a heartworm preventative like generic heartgard.

The parasite that is responsible for heartworm is called Dirofilaria immitis, and is a worm like roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms. Dogs are infected via the bite of a mosquito that is carrying the larvae, and the worms then grow in the blood and lungs. Once they reach adulthood, they take up residence in the heart, thus the parasite's common name.

Symptoms of heartworm are slow to manifest, and may take years after infection to be seen. The first symptom is often simply a cough. Eventually, the dog tires easily and cannot perform normal daily activities. Congestive heart failure and death follow. All of this can be prevented, because there is both an effective test and an effective preventative for heartworm.

There is a blood test that detects the presence of larval heartworms in the blood available. But this test is not definitive for predicting the presence or absence of adult worms in the heart, so many veterinarians like to check for those, as well. This can be done by taking an x-ray of the chest. Adult worms appear in the image of the heart.

Treatment for heartworm is not as dangerous as it used to be, but it is still extremely taxing on the dog's system. For this reason, and the fact that damage done by heartworms can be permanent even after they are expelled, prevention is the most important measure to take. If treatment is necessary, the vet will run tests to make sure that your dog is healthy enough to withstand the medication used to kill the worms, and the expulsion of the worms.

Preventatives like Heartgard Plus for dogs are generally monthly tablets that come in beef flavor, or some other attractive flavor to dogs. Most dogs look forward to their monthly 'treat'. The active ingredient in Heartgard and generic heartgard is ivermectin, which some breeds of dogs, especially herding breeds, have problems with. If your dog is from a susceptible breed, you can choose a different preventative that has a different active ingredient.

Several types of preventatives are now available that help repel mosquitoes and prevent bites from occurring. These types of pet medicine, like K9 Advantix, are helpful in lowering the spread of diseases such as heartworm, but should not be solely relied on. Occasionally, a mosquito might slip past the preventative and bite your dog, and if the dog does not take a heartworm preventative, they will be unprotected.

Keeping your pet healthy is part of being a responsible pet owner. Making sure that your dog is tested for heartworm and then placed on an effective preventative means doing your part to keep your furry family member at his best. Remember, heartworm is a terrible disease, and the preventative steps you can take are simple and effective, so there is no good reason not to.