Protecting your Dog from Heartworm Disease
You hear about it from your Vet and see the commercials on television, but what exactly is heartworm and how can you protect your family pet? Please continue reading as we have more detailed information regarding heartworm prevention.
Some facts about heartworm disease:
What is heartworm disease?
Heartworms are parasites that live in the hearts and lungs of infected canines and puppies. The resulting heartworm disease can cause serious health problems such as coughing, rapid breathing, weight loss; eventually leading to heart failure and possibly even death.
How is heartworm disease transmitted?
Most dogs become infected with heartworm disease when receiving a bite from an infected mosquito. There are over 20 different mosquito species that can cause harm to your pet.
Where are heartworms found?
No longer are heartworms in distinct areas of the country, heartworm disease can now be found in all 50 states.
What are detection signs of heartworm in your canine?
It can take a number of years before canines will show outward signs of heartworm infection. Most canines infected with heartworms do not show any signs of disease for as long as two years. Consequently, the disease is diagnosed mostly in 4 to 8 year old dogs. The disease is very rarely diagnosed in puppies under one year of age. Worms take up to 7 months to mature and cause infection in a canine. The signs of heartworm disease depend on the number of worms present, the length of time the worms have been present, and how much damage they may have caused to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys.
Most canines infected with heartworm disease do not show any signs of this disease for as long as two years. Unfortunately, by the time signs are seen, the disease is well advanced.
Prevention of Heartworm disease:
After reading all of this scary information, we have a light at the end of the tunnel! Veterinarians recommend all canines be given preventive heartworm medication. This will help protect your canine if an infected mosquito should bite him. Having medication in his bloodstream will destroy the heartworms before they mature and cause infection.
Heartworm disease is 100% preventable with HEARTGARD Plus! All you have to do to protect your dog from the threat of this deadly infection is to give HEARTGARD Plus once a month and use as otherwise directed.
Please Note: that the information provided above is solely for the purpose of informing and educating our visitors and should not be used to replace the advice or care of a professional, qualified veterinarian.