Heartworms are the deadliest parasites for dogs. These parasites are capable of causing serious damage to vital organs like heart, lungs, and several other organs in the body.
The adult heartworm parasites live in the infected dog’s bloodstream. When the mosquito bites an infected animal, it carries baby worms which develop within 10 to15 days turn in the larvae that cause the infection. Once the infected mosquito bites another animal these larvae enter the new host’s bloodstream. They develop within 6-7 months and turn into adult heartworms.
PREVENTION
It is always better to prevent your dog from having such deadly disease than going through the long procedure of the treatment. Few of the preventive measures include:
- Mosquito Repellent
As we know, mosquitoes are the carriers of heartworm larva. Use of such repellents has proven to be effective in preventing these parasites to enter our pet’s body.
- Regular check-ups
Regular visit to your veterinarian is one of the best ways to recognize any health issues in your pet before it turn into a serious concern.
TREATMENT
There are three types of preventative treatments which can be used to prevent this disease.
- Chewing pills
These are used on a monthly or seasonal basis. This includes,
Heartgard Plus : It’s the first choice for the heartworm prevention of many dog parents. It is a chewable tablet which most of the dogs like due to its highly palatable beef flavor.
- Topical Medicines
It is used when your dog hates pills. It is applied on the skin for prevention, e.g. Advantage Multi : It is a topical medicine commonly used for treating heartworm disease.
Revolution : It is all-in-one kind of a treatment which prevents the deadly heartworm disease along with fleas, biting ticks, ear mites, and sarcoptic mange mites.
• Injections
Heartworm injection is given to kill adult heartworms which includes,
Proheart : It is a popular heartworm injection prescribed by the most veterinarians. Before administering any heartworm treatment to your dog, it is advised to consult your veterinarian. More often than not, you will achieve your beloved companion’s health goals under the observation of a practicing professional.