HEARTWORM DOG | WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The term heartworm dog is really asking for information on heartworms in dogs or canines. We will discuss causes and treatment. You are intelligent to know that heartworms can be serious in dogs as can the side effects of standard treatment. Imagine being able to effectively treat your dog and save a few dollars at the same time.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORMS IN OUR PETS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals. A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans. When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can in found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

HEARTWORM SEASON

Heartworm season runs from one month before mosquito season until one month following mosquito season.

HEARTWORM SYMPTOMS |HEARTWORM DOG

Breathing difficulties

Coughing

Vomiting

Weight loss

Collapse

Convulsions

Sudden death

Tiredness

Decreased appetite

Heart failure

Difficulty exercising

Bloody sputum

Loss of consciousness

Abnormal lung sounds

May take years after initial infection to show up

HEARTWORM DIAGNOSIS |HEARTWORM DOG

Vets will normally perform the test

Usually diagnosed with a blood test

TREATMENT ONCE YOUR PET HAS HEARTWORMS | HEARTWORM DOG

Several drugs were given by veterinarians in the past but not so much today. Today the treatment usually involves injecting a drug containing arsenic. The injection is given in the lower back. Two injections a day for two days is the normal treatment. After the injections your pet will be prescribed rest in order to absorb the dead heartworms.

EARLY STAGE HEARTWORM TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

There are many commercial products used to treat heartworms in the early stages where they can be killed. These medications contain pesticides which are used to kill the larvae before they hatch into adult heartworms.
Common ones include Revolution, Heartgard, Interceptor, and Iverhart.

ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORMS | HEARTWORM DOG

Because many veterinarians now recognize that long term use of preventative medications can cause side effects in our pets many people are turning to alternative methods to prevent heartworms. The methods will help overall but you should discuss using them with your vet.

Provide a healthy diet. Many people are now avoiding commercial pet food and feeding their pets natural vegetables, fruits, and raw meat

Boost your pet抯 immune system

Strengthen your pet抯 heart and circulatory system

In areas where heartworms are prevalent think about regular de-worming

Black walnut extract and garlic are also being used as preventatives

Prevention is much cheaper than treatment at the vet抯 office

Many current medications produce harmful side effects in our pets. That is why a growing number of concerned pet owners have decided to use natural remedies. Many natural remedies work quite well and save you a bunch of money in the process. Read on through the last paragraph and find out home remedies secrets that are safe and effective.