Heartworm for dogs is a search term many people are using to find out information on heartworm in dogs. You are smart enough to know that heartworms in dogs can be serious and that you need information to help you with prevention and treatment. We will discuss traditional treatment and natural treatments. Imagine being able to make an intelligent decision on which option is best for you and your pet.
I抣l get right to the point after some basic information.
WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORM FOR DOGS
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 SYMPTOMS
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 FOR DOGS
Vets will normally perform the test
Usually diagnosed with a blood test
TRADITIONAL TREATMENT FOR HEARTWORM FOR DOGS
Treatment for heartworm for dogs takes on two different approaches. The first is treatment and prevention with traditional veterinarian prescribed medications such as Revolution, Heartgard, Interceptor, and Iverhart. These medications are used to kill the larvae that are in our dog抯 bloodstream before they have hatched and become heartworms. These medications use an insecticide to kill the larvae.
SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATIONS
Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet抯 body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.
ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORM FOR DOGS
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.