If you’re a pet owner, it’s likely that one of your primary concerns is the health and well-being of your four-legged friend. A significant aspect of this responsibility is protecting your dog from various diseases, one of the most dangerous being heartworm disease. Caused by Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic worm, the disease is spread through mosquito bites. Heartworms lodge in the heart, lungs, and associated blood vessels of infected dogs and can cause severe lung disease, heart failure, and potentially death.
This article delves into the importance of heartworm disease prevention and how to choose the correct dosage of heartworm prevention medication for your dog.
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Understanding Heartworm Disease
Before diving into heartworm prevention and medication, it’s essential to understand the disease itself. In the US, heartworm disease is reported in all 50 states. In fact, the American Heartworm Society reports that the incidence of heartworm disease in dogs has been on a steady rise over the past five years.
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When a mosquito carrying heartworm larvae bites a dog, the larvae enter the dog’s system. Over the next six to seven months, the larvae grow into adult heartworms. These adult worms can live in the heart, lungs, and blood vessels for five to seven years and grow up to 12 inches long. Female heartworms can produce millions of offspring, causing severe damage and inflammation to vital organs.
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The damage caused by heartworms is serious and can be fatal. That’s why prevention is so important. It’s far easier, less invasive, and less expensive to prevent heartworm disease than it is to treat it.
Heartworm Prevention
Preventing heartworm disease involves giving your dog a heartworm prevention medication regularly. The American Heartworm Society recommends giving heartworm prevention medication year-round, regardless of where you live.
Heartworm prevention medications work by killing the heartworm larvae before they have a chance to grow into adult worms. Various heartworm prevention medications are available on the market, including oral medications, topical applications, and injections. Heartgard, which contains the active ingredient ivermectin, is a popular choice among dog owners and veterinarians for heartworm prevention.
Heartgard is typically given once a month and comes in a chewable form that most dogs seem to enjoy. It’s important to remember that missing a dose can leave your dog unprotected against heartworms. Timely adherence to the schedule is therefore critical.
Choosing the Correct Dosage
Choosing the correct dosage of Heartgard for your pet is crucial. Underdosing can lead to insufficient protection, while overdosing can cause harm to your pet. The dosage is determined primarily by your dog’s weight.
Heartgard comes in three different sizes: for dogs up to 25 pounds, for dogs 26 to 50 pounds, and for dogs 51 to 100 pounds. If your dog weighs more than 100 pounds, you will need to give a combination of tablets to ensure adequate protection. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting any new medication regimen for your pet, and make sure to have your pet weighed accurately.
Considerations for Cats
While this article focuses on heartworm prevention in dogs, it’s worth noting that heartworm disease is not exclusive to dogs. Cats are also susceptible, albeit less frequently. The symptoms in cats can be very different from those in dogs, and there’s currently no approved treatment for heartworm disease in cats.
Prevention is the only option for protecting your cats from this disease. Like Heartgard for dogs, there are products available for cats, and the dosage is determined by weight. Again, your veterinarian is the best source of advice regarding heartworm prevention in cats.
Consult Your Veterinarian
The final and perhaps most important step in choosing the correct dosage of heartworm prevention medication for your pet is to consult your veterinarian. These professionals have the training and experience to provide the most accurate and appropriate advice for your particular pet.
Your veterinarian will conduct a heartworm test before starting any prevention regimen. This is because giving heartworm prevention medication to a dog that already has adult heartworms can lead to severe complications.
As pet owners, your priority is to ensure the health and happiness of your furry friends. With the right information and guidance, you can effectively protect your dogs (and cats) from the threat of heartworm disease.
Considerations for Side Effects
While heartworm prevention medications are essential for your pet’s health, it’s also important to be aware of potential side effects. No medication is entirely without risk, but the dangers of heartworm disease far outweigh the potential side effects of its preventative medications.
Common side effects of heartworm prevention medications are usually minor and may include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or lethargy. In very rare cases, some dogs may have a severe reaction to heartworm preventives, displaying symptoms such as seizures or difficulty breathing. If you observe any adverse reactions in your pet, it’s vital to contact your vet immediately.
Some dogs, particularly certain herding breeds like collies and Australian shepherds, are sensitive to ivermectin, which is an active ingredient in many heartworm preventives such as Heartgard. Alternate medication options, like milbemycin oxime, which is found in Tri Heart, may be a safer choice for these breeds.
Therefore, discussing your dog’s breed, weight, health history, and lifestyle with your vet will help determine the most suitable heartworm preventive for your pet. It’s also worth noting that various products combine heartworm prevention with protection against other parasites such as fleas ticks.
Treating Heartworm Infection
In some unfortunate cases, your pet may already be infected with heartworms by the time you acquire them. Also, pets that have not been on regular heartworm prevention can also become infected.
Heartworm treatment is a complicated and lengthy process that can take several months to complete. The objective is to kill all adult heartworms and heartworm larvae without causing additional harm to your pet. The treatment usually involves a series of injections and hospitalization.
Be aware that heartworm treatment can have serious side effects, including the potential for fatal blood clots. Post-treatment, exercise restriction is critical. Any activity can increase the rate at which the heartworms cause damage to the heart and lungs.
Therefore, prevention is the best approach. It’s safer, easier, and much less costly than treating a heartworm infection. Regular administration of heartworm preventives, annual testing, and a close relationship with your veterinarian are the best ways to protect your pets from this deadly disease.
Conclusion
Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially deadly condition that affects dogs and cats. However, it is entirely preventable with the correct use of heartworm preventives. Choosing the accurate dosage based on your pet’s weight, following a strict schedule, and understanding the potential side effects are all crucial aspects of heartworm prevention.
Remember, it is always recommended to consult your vet before starting any new medication for your pet. They are best equipped to provide advice tailored to your pet’s specific needs and circumstances. Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to heartworm disease.
As pet owners, our mission is to ensure our furry friends are happy and healthy. By protecting them from heartworm disease, you’re contributing significantly to the quality and longevity of their lives. Regular check-ups, preventive care, and an attentive eye to any changes in behavior are the pillars of responsible pet ownership.