Heartworm Prevention For Dogs
Heartworm prevention is something you simply can't ignore if you want to keep your puppy, or dog, healthy. Find out what you need to know right here!
Most dogs will have worms/parasites of one kind or another during
their lifetime, and puppies are especially vulnerable to these annoying parasites.
While intestinal worms can create problems, they're generally not severe and are pretty easy to treat. Heartworms are quite different!
Heartworm symptoms usually don't appear until your pup/dog is very ill, and an untreated infestation is fatal.
If you catch the disease early enough it can be treated successfully - but the treatment is long, expensive and complicated. That's why heartworm prevention is the key to protecting your pet!
- Want to know more about the symptoms and treatment of Canine Heartworm? CLICK HERE
- Looking for heartworm preventatives/medications? CLICK HERE
How To Prevent Heartworm In Dogs
Because the heart-worm has such a long life-cycle, and due to the fact that early symptoms are pretty much non-existent, preventing infestation is absolutely critical to your pups' health and well-being.
You should start your puppy on a heartworm preventative medication as soon as he reaches 8 weeks of age.
Lots of vets give a free sample of Heartgard for pups at their first puppy check up, after that it's up to you.
These medicines need to be given once a month (without fail), during mosquito season... preferably starting one month before mosquitoes appear and ending one month after the season ends.
If your pup is 6 - 7 months of age or older, and hasn't been on regular, monthly heartworm medicines, do not give him any heartworm preventative without having your veterinarian run some tests first.
This is because if he already has an infestation, the effects of the medication could cause him severe problems, or even be fatal.
*If you've even missed one dose of Heartgard (or whatever medicine you've chosen), during mosquito season, have your pup tested for heartworms before re-starting the medication.
About Heartworm Prevention Products
The most popular and commonly used medications for heartworm prevention are very safe. Bad reactions are rare when the medicines are given in the recommended, prescribed dosages.
BUT, some breeds are extra-sensitive to Ivermectin (the active ingredient in many of these products) and seriously bad reactions are more likely in dogs that belong to the 'Collie' family due to a breed-specific gene mutation.
This makes them super-sensitive to certain drugs, including Ivermectin, and even a small dose can be toxic to them - fatally so.
This category includes breeds such as:
- Border Collies
- Shetland Sheepdogs
- Old English Sheepdogs
- Australian Shepherds
- Bearded Collies
- Collie mixes and other Collie or Shepherd breeds
If your pup is a collie, sheepdog or a mix that includes either of these, you absolutely must talk with your veterinarian about what type of heartworm preventative to use.
A newer heartworm prevention product called Advantage Multi is thought to be safe for these breeds, but only your vet can advise you as to whether or not your pup/dog should take it.
Symptoms of a bad reaction to Ivomectin.....
These can include dilated pupils, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of co-ordination, collapse.
If you notice ANY of these, get your dog emergency veterinary help immediately!
Heartworm Medications
Luckily, there are a range of products you can use to protect your puppy or dog from contracting this dangerous disease.
Some of them simply prevent heartworm, others also prevent or kill other parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms or fleas.
These ALL need to be given, or prescribed, by a licensed veterinarian - they are NOT available over the counter. This is mainly because giving heart worm medicine to a dog who already has an active infestation could prove fatal. So the regulations are in place to protect your pet.
Here's a quick look at the most popular heartworm preventatives available....
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The above information should help you decide which heartworm prevention product is best for your puppy or dog - but your own veterinarian is the expert!
He will recommend what he feels is best for your pet and as he's the professional it's worth taking his advice :)
By Susan Koranki, ©2007-2013 The-Puppy-Dog-Place owned & operated by Myway LLC
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