Heartworm for dogs is a search term many people are using to find out information on heartworm in dogs. You're smart enough to know that heartworms in dogs can be serious and that you need information to help you with prevention and treatment. We'll discuss traditional treatment and natural treatments. Envision being able to make an intelligent decision on which option is ideal for you and your pet.

I’ll 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’s 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’s 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 grant 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 substitute 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’s immune system

Strengthen your pet’s 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’s 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.

This article discusses heartworm for dogs and alternative treatments you can use.

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