Natural Preventative Methods For Heartworm
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It is not an easy thing to see our pets suffer from ailments such as heartworms. If not detected early enough, it will prove to be fatal to the contaminated dog in as early as a few months. Fortunately, while serious cases may result in devastating losses, natural heartworm preventative measures can successfully safeguard your dog from heartworm.
First of all, what is heartworm? Heartworms are parasitic worms that are transmitted to the dogs bloodstream through mosquitoes. Although not all mosquitoes transmit heartworms, when a carrier does bite the dog its larvae will transfer into the canines bloodstream reaching his vital organs. As you can imagine, this will be terminal for the dog when the contamination reaches the heart and lungs.
The most basic natural heartworm prevention tip is to provide your pet with a healthy diet. A healthy pet will have a better immune system to fight off infections and complications in his body. Processed food generally contain chemicals that may weaken the dog, so serve raw meat, fruits and vegetables instead. Do not use milk or food that contains artificial flavorings and sugar.
Mosquitoes do not bite healthy animals. Hence, it will do your dog well to improve on the factors that will boost his immune system. Take care of the liver especially– it functions to remove waste and stores essential vitamins and minerals. Other than a healthy diet, keep away from any form of synthetic medication that will introduce chemicals that are detrimental to your dogs system. Moreover, avoid stress inducing situations for the canine.
Another very important natural heartworm prevention tip is exercise. Make sure that your dog engages in regular physical activities. Doing so will give you quality time with your pet as well as further improve his health by building up his heart and circulatory system. The red blood cells carry oxygen to all the organs of the dogs body while the white blood cells helps protects the immune system by fighting infection. A healthy heart will prevent heartworms from making its home in your dog.
If you live in a place where heartworms are more common than average, have regular check-ups with the vet to see if your pet has contracted any kind of sickness. You can find out if the animal has been infected through administering a simple blood test. Do not give synthetic drugs of any form to your pet unless your vet strongly recommends that he does. Otherwise, the chemicals will do more damage in the long run.
These natural heartworm preventative measures will ensure the safety of your pet, and is infinitely better than having to remedy the already infected dog. Medicines that are given to cure heartworm infections are really insecticides that kill the worm. These curative drugs are actually poisons in small doses and may lead to eventually destroying the other organs and systems of your dog.
Animals that are lethargic and have lost a lot of weight might already have heartworm. Other symptoms include coughing and difficulty in breathing. If you find these in your pet, visit the vet as soon as possible.
Visit this website to find out about crucial natural heartworm preventative measures everyone can use.
July 21st, 2010 at 5:16 am
Making your pet’s environment less hospitable to mosquitoes decreases the risk of your pet being infected with heartworm in the first place.
July 21st, 2010 at 7:38 am
One of the best ways to keep the risk of heartworm under control is to cut down on the mosquito population. Empty all pools, trashcans, buckets, etc. of standing water regularly and use a safe form of mosquito repellent.
Remember that in the end, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Don’t take chances with your best friend.
July 23rd, 2010 at 10:42 am
Take preventative measures to stop a future heartworm infestation. There are multiple drugs that can be administered to prevent your dog from being infected by heartworm a second time. There are daily chewable tablets, monthly chewable tablets and an injection that lasts for 6 months. Discuss the available options with your veterinarian to determine which preventative measure is best for your dog. You should also take measures to eliminate the mosquito population around your home, since the microfilaria are transmitted from dog to dog by way of the mosquito.
July 26th, 2010 at 8:02 am
I just love those tips. That thing which you said about mosquitoes is really true. Having Heartworm is not only uncomfortable for your dog, but it can also be fatal, so treatment is very important.
January 5th, 2011 at 10:03 am
Heart worms are parasites which require dogs, cats and other animals to complete their life cycle. Mosquitoes act as carriers and help in transfer of the heart worms into dogs. Eradicating mosquito growth or any sort of such environments will be the first step to prevent heart worms from entering into the dog. The risk is higher during the warm months requiring approximately two weeks of temperature at or above 27 °C (80 °F). Development cannot occur when the temperature threshold is 14 °C (57 °F).
In case of infections, the symptoms are not seen for several months, so regular checkups are necessary for preventions.