CAN I GIVE MY DOG HEARTWORM MEDS WITHOUT CHECKING

The simple answer to the question can I give my dog heartworm meds without checking is you should not do this even if you can get the meds online without a prescription. Heartworm medications can produce harsh side effects. But the good news is that you can use alternative prevention methods without having to obtain a vet prescription.

You are smart enough to know that vet bills are getting more expensive every year and just like in humans many alternative methods and home remedies are being used to prevent and treat a variety of illnesses and ailments. Did you know that garlic is being used to help prevent heartworms? Imagine being able to safely and effectively prevent heartworms and save some money in the process.

First let抯 look at a few facts.

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 be 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 understand that many medications use insecticides to kill off the larvae that already in our dog抯 bloodstreams. These medications can have side effects so let抯 look at those for a moment.

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. Therefore, you should have your answer to the question of can I give my dog heartworm meds without checking.

The use of garlic is because when our pets consume garlic they put off a pungent odor on their skin that insects do not like. The garlic is being used to avoid the mosquito bite from an infected mosquito which is the culprit in heartworms for our dogs.

Now we get to the alternatives.

ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORMS

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

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.