Heartworm is a critical and potentially fatal disease that affects dogs. It’s caused by a parasite living in infected dogs’ hearts, lungs, and blood vessels. The disease can be transmitted through mosquitoes or by contact between two dogs. Unfortunately, a dog may not show any symptoms of heartworm until your puppy has been infected for several months.
Get Your Dog Tested Annually
If you suspect your dog might have heartworm disease, the first step is to get him tested. A vet can perform a blood test any time of year, but it’s best to do it before the dog has heartworm. This way, if he does have heartworms, they can be treated before they cause severe damage.
The problem with these tests is that they aren’t always accurate. They can give false negatives or false positives. It means that you think heartworms have infected your dog but actually aren’t. While sometimes mistakenly think your dog doesn’t need treatment for heartworms when they do need treatment immediately.
Research the Best Heartworm Prevention Method for Your Dog
You’ll need to learn about different heartworm prevention methods to prevent dogs from getting heartworms. Heartworm prevention is available as a pill or an injection. The most effective is a pill that you give your dog monthly. However, this can be expensive and inconvenient for some people.
The least effective type of prevention is a topical solution on your dog’s skin. However, it’s also the most affordable option for many owners.
If you’re looking for a way to prevent heartworms in your dog, the best option is a pill you give your pet each month. It is more convenient than an injection and cheaper than putting on a topical solution once or twice a year.
Medicate Your Dog Monthly
If you’re still not convinced that heartworm medication is the best option for your dog, here’s some more information to convince you. Heartworm preventative medication, like Heartgard Plus, is available in a pill form that’s easy to administer. You can give it directly to your dog or wrap it in food. Some dogs even enjoy having it crushed up and mixed with their food.
The most important thing is that the medication needs to be given monthly. If you miss one treatment dose, ensure that you get your dog back on track by administering another dose as soon as possible. Otherwise, if left untreated for longer than two months, your pet could develop heartworms and suffer from very critical health issues because of them.
Make Sure That You Stay Up-To-Date on Vet Visits and Vaccinations
Making sure to stay up-to-date on vet visits and vaccinations is one of the most important things you can do to prevent heartworm disease in your dog. Regular vet visits are necessary for several reasons, especially because they ensure that your dog receives all of its recommended vaccinations.
You should also ensure that you’re using the proper medication for your dog and using it properly. It’s also a good idea to make sure that if there’s been any change in the type of product you’re using, such as switching from chewable tablets to liquid drops.
Use Mosquito Nets and Repellents as Needed
Mosquito nets and repellents are a great way to keep mosquitoes away from your dog. Nets can be placed over your dog’s bed or taken on walks. Repellents are applied to your pet and last longer than sprays or creams. To prevent heartworm disease in dogs, it is crucial to use mosquito repellents as needed during peak mosquito season.
It’s best to use repellent to keep the mosquitoes away because, according to VCA hospitals, around 30 mosquitoes can transmit heartworms. The best time to apply repellents is at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Talk to Your Vet if You Have Concerns About Heartworm Disease in Your Area
According to AAHA, there are around 116,000 veterinarians currently practicing in the US. Thus, if you’re worried about heartworm disease but aren’t sure how to protect your dog against it, it’s always a good idea to talk with your vet. They can help you find the best preventive method for your dog and determine whether your area’s heartworm problem is getting worse.
In addition, if you’re living somewhere that doesn’t have a high level of heartworm disease but traveling with your pet out of state has a potential risk for exposure, ask for an alternative prevention method. For example, your vet may recommend using Heartgard Plus for safety.
Keep an Eye Out for Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Your Dog
It’s necessary to recognize the symptoms of heartworm disease in your dog since it can be difficult for a vet to diagnose the disease without a blood test. If you see any of these symptoms in your puppy, ask a veterinarian whether or not your dog has heartworm disease:
- Anemia which results in low red blood cell count.
- Weight loss.
- Lethargy or tiredness.
Heartworm disease is prevalent in the US. According to the National Library of Medicine, the average prevalence rate is between 1% and 12% in the US, with Gulf Coast Region exhibiting the highest prevalence rate of almost 48%.
If you think your dog is affected by heartworms, take them to the vet immediately. Treatment involves administering shots every month until they are completely gone from their system.
Heartworm is a Serious Problem, But You Can Help Prevent it
Heartworm is a fatal disease that can be prevented. Heartworm is not a virus or bacteria. It’s caused by parasites, which are carried in the blood of an infected animal. Heartworm disease is curable with medication, but if left untreated, it can cause serious health problems in your dog.
It’s necessary to know how to protect your dogs from heartworm disease so you can prevent them from getting sick. If your dog tests positive for this disease, it will need medication and treatment. Unfortunately, heartworm disease can also be fatal if left untreated.
