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DOES HEARTWORM TREATMENT HURT PUPPIES

2016/5/3 14:43:37
Before I share with you the simple answer to the question does heartworm treatment hurt puppies let me first discuss heartworms and a few other things you need to know. You are intelligent enough to know that heartworms are a serious problem for our dogs and that there can be side effects to long term treatment of heartworms. For puppies, however, long term treatment side effects are not an issue.

Imagine how you will feel when you find out that you can treat your puppies and protect them also like your adult dogs.

First let抯 discuss a few things.

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.

Now let抯 look at heartworm medication and prevention.

HEARTWORM MEDICATIONS | PREVENTION

Revolution ?This is a broad spectrum medication that has been reported to be the top of the list for dogs. This medication also protects your dog from flea infestations.

Interceptor ?This medication is reported to prevent heartworms, hookworms, whipworm, and roundworms.

Heartgard ?This medication is widely available that prevents heartworms, hookworms and roundworms. Very few side effects have been reported with this medication.

Iverhart Max ?This medication is used for heartworms and tapeworms. There do not seem to be many reported side effects with this medication.

Active ingredient in Heartgard and Iverhart is ivermectin. The active ingredient in Interceptor is milbemycin and the active ingredient in Revolution is selamectin oxime. These medications work as a preventative in the sense they are actually using chemicals to kill off heartworms in their early stages. So while some say they are preventative they are also treatment.

DOES HEARTWORM TREATMENT HURT PUPPIES

The short answer is no if you are using many of the products listed above. Most of the medications listed above state they are safe when given to puppies that are 6 weeks or older and 2 pounds or larger. Keep in mind that just like in large dogs there can be harsh side effects. Consult your vet on which medication they recommend for puppies.

Did you know that garlic is being used as a preventative for heartworms? Natural home remedies are safe, easy to use and cost a lot less money than conventional medicines. Many of these will be in your home already. Click on the links below and find out the secrets you need to treat your pet and save money.