More than 300,000 dogs in the U.S. are infected with heartworms every year. Treating an infected animal is costly and weakens the animal for some time. Using one of the heartworm medications monthly throughout the year will protect your precious pet from heartworm disease throughout his life.
Heartworm disease is diagnosed in dogs throughout the country but is most prevalent in the Southeastern states where hot, humid climates have high mosquito populations. Heartworm medicine for dogs is routine care for responsible pet owners and just as important as keeping your canine's vaccinations up to date.
The medical problems caused by heartworm are often seriously debilitating to canines and lead to damage not only in the animal's heart but also in the kidneys, liver and lungs.
This is an insidious parasite that may not have visible symptoms until the disease is advanced. If your dog has a light heartworm infestation and is not highly active the symptoms of heartworm may not become apparent. In most dogs, symptoms of heartworm are detected by your vet as changes in heart or lung function.
Though early signs of the disease are rare, coughing is often one of the first indicators a dog is infected with heartworm. Your veterinarian may detect unusual lung sounds during a routine physical examination and you may notice the animal tires quickly when exercised.
Severe heartworm disease may display as an enlarged liver and loss of consciousness due to poor blood flow to the brain. The dog may be unconscious for only a few seconds which can be confused with a mild seizure that leaves the animal seeming confused for a few moments. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen can be a symptom of advanced heartworm disease but is also an indicator of other heart diseases in canines.
Veterinarians often recommend a routine blood test for heartworm as part of your pet's annual checkup. The test strip for a positive indicator may vary from a pale blue indicating a light case of heartworm to a darker blue showing a heavy infestation.
A positive result from the blood test for heartworm may be followed up by an angiogram and ultrasound to determine the amount of damage caused to the animal's organs. The antigen tests now used will not detect heartworm disease in its earliest stages but are accurate in detecting heartworms that are seven or eight months old. The blood smear exam that is often part of a routine examination will verify the presence of heartworm disease but is not sensitive enough to rule out the early presence of the parasite.
It is unfortunate that so many dogs are infested with heartworm as the disease is so easily prevented. Mosquitoes carry the larvae and transmit the parasite when they bite the animal. More than thirty species can be infected with heartworm but dogs seem to be the perfect host.
Once transmitted by the mosquito, the heartworm larvae develop in the canine's body and migrate after several months to reside in the lungs, the heart and in blood vessels. The mature worms mate and microfilariae are released by the female into the dog's blood stream. From there the cycle begins again with mosquitos ingesting the microfilariae and transferring them to another dog.
Adult heartworms are large with males reaching 4-6 inches in length and females measuring 10-12 inches. After a year of maturing, heartworms can live in dogs for five to seven years. A lightly infected animal may have one or two heartworms while another dog with a severe form of the disease can be host to as many as 250 of the threadlike parasites.
Heartworm medicine for dogs provides protection for the animal in a manner that is safe and cost effective. There are topical treatments applied monthly and injections that shield the animal for six months at a time.
The most popular heartworm medicines for dogs are:
Heartgard (Ivermectin) - A beef flavored wafer given monthly prevents canine heartworm disease and also treats roundworms and hookworms. Heartgard may be used after a diagnosis of heartworm disease to limit further development of the parasite.
Sentinel - Flavor tabs administered monthly kill heartworm larvae before signs of the disease appears. Sentinel should not be used for animals who test positive for heartworm disease.
Revolution (selamectin) - A spot on treatment with multiple benefits. Revolution is an effective heartworm medication for dogs and also protects from fleas and other parasites.
Interceptor (milbemycin oxime) - A monthly oral pet medication that can be used on puppies over 4 weeks of age and also controls roundworms and hookworms. Interceptor is safe to use in pregnant and nursing dogs.
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