Heartworms can prove fatal for dogs as the heartworm disease can
directly affect the heart and lungs of dogs. The infection is so severe that it
may result in the death of the dog. Therefore, all pet parents must use heartworm
medications as suggested by the vet. Normally, pet owners get heartworm
medication from a vet on a yearly basis. It is available in tablet, chewable
or topical forms, which is administered as per the age of the puppy. Nonetheless,
you must get your pet for heartworm test on a periodic basis.
Heartworm test involves taking blood samples from the pooch’s body
to examine the presence of any life stages of heartworms. If the heartworm
larvae or higher stages of it are found in the dog’s blood sample then, the vet
puts the pet on heartworm preventives. Even though these heartworm medications
are called preventives, they essentially work as heartworm treatments for dogs.
They kill the larvae stage of heartworm and are administered
periodically in order to destroy new larvae in the dog’s body. Heartworm larvae
are transferred to dogs by mosquito bites. When a mosquito bites a heartworm
infected dog, it carries the larvae and transfers it to healthy dog through
bites. However, the larvae can thrive only if it finds the right temperature in
the dog’s body. A point to note here is that heartworm medication like preventives
can kill only heartworms that are in their early life stages. You need a more
focused and elaborate heartworm
treatment for dogs if the infestation involves mature stages of heartworms.
If the heartworms in dogs have developed to advanced life stages
then it becomes difficult to treat them. They often cause chronic cough,
lethargy, lung infection, low levels of oxygen supply leading to an eventual
death. If you observe any of these heartworm symptoms, then visit the vet at
the earliest. You need an expert veterinarian for treating mature heartworms
and in many cases pet owners are often late to reach out to the vet. Most
heartworm diseases leave the pet in a pitiable condition if detected on later
stages.
Therefore, it is recommended to start heartworm prevention for
puppies since their first vet visit to avoid growth and development of these
deadly worms. Periodic administration of heartworm medication prevents would
kill the larvae stages and would not allow them to develop into full grown
worms. Most heartworm prevention medicines are started when the puppy is 6 to 8
weeks old and then given on a periodic basis. They should be kept on heartworm
medication or the so called preventives throughout the year.
If you are a dog owner then you can reach out to Emancipet as we offer low cost pet
treatments including spay and neuter procedures. Our services are offered in
many areas including central and east Austin. For more details, connect with us
at https://www.emancipet.org/ or call
our team on 866-441-9248.
