small dogsAlaskan Sled dog

Preventing Heartworm in Your Dog

Dogs are affected everyday with heartworm disease and if not treated properly it can be deadly. The disease spreads rapidly by mosquitoes. When this insect bites an infected dog, it then becomes a carrier that deposits the illness when biting another one. Undeveloped heartworms go out into the bloodstream where they await another mosquito to pick them up. There are numerous ways to prevent this problem and keep your pet in good physical shape. So veterinarians urge owners to take action.

As dogs are exposed to wildlife one must be sure they avoid contact with stray or undomesticated animals. Many dog parks are breeding grounds for heartworms due to owners being oblivious to their own pets being carriers. It is important to avoid contact between your pooch and stray or wild animals. Dogs are notorious for ingesting their own feces or that of another dog. Do not let your pet eat their own feces or that of another animal. There are several dog vaccines available that can be prescribed by your pet’s veterinarian.

The vaccine destroys heartworm larvae prior to full maturity. It needs to be administered on the same day each month during mosquito breeding season. Popular brands of vaccines utilized by veterinarians include Interceptor, Revolution, HeartGard Plus and Sentinel. Monthly heartworm prevention has other benefits such as killing intestinal parasites and flea eggs.

This disease is only detectable after 6 months of exposure; therefore puppies will not be examined. Some veterinarians will want your dog tested every year depending on where you live. Dogs with heartworm disease will show signs of congestive heart failure. Treatment is pricey and will not cure the condition. It is healthier to take preventative steps in avoiding this debilitating disease.

Visit this website for information on Heartgard Plus For Dogs. And, you can also treat your dogs with personalized dog collars or spiked dog collars

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