Why Heartworm Medication Is A Must For Dogs?

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.