The question “What is the safest Heartworm Treatments for Dogs?” can be difficult to answer. This dog disease is responsible for more heartworm deaths than any other canine disease. Millions of dogs worldwide are victims of this heartworm infection every year.
Rodents, including house mice, ticks, and raccoons, are the second leading cause of death from heartworm in dogs. Other canines, such as coyotes, wolves, and foxes, are not considered the main heartworm carriers, although these can also infect other pets, such as ferrets and cats. The primary heartworm carriers are dogs and cats. There are different types of heartworm disease caused by ticks and mosquitoes. Some of these are Rheumatic fever, Distemper, Lyme disease, Canine ehrlichiosis, and Rabies.
Rodents transmit heartworm disease by feeding on an infected dog. An example of a rodent heartworm disease is called erythromycin-induced villous hyperplasia (ETI), which is caused by repeated exposure to erythromycin. An advantage multi drug treatment is recommended for dogs that suffer from ETI.
Fleas transmit heartworm and can infect other pets, as well. The most common cause of flea bite is heartworm disease. However, other diseases that can be transmitted from a dog to a human include coccidia, mange mites, ticks, and mosquitoes. An advantage drug, such as Fipronil, should be used immediately upon detection of the presence of fleas. The combination of medications should be utilized to effectively treat fleas. An advantage multi preventive treatment is advised for dogs with coccidia or mange mites.
Lyme disease is a neurological disease that results in the formation of neurological lesions in the body. Symptoms often occur prior to the appearance of heartworm infections. It is difficult to diagnose during the early stages, making it essential for pet owners to know what to look for during routine checkups.
Mites may also be referred to as heartworm and are a result of a mosquito-borne disease. They affect dogs of any age, and they generally affect dogs of warm climates more than cold-weather dogs. Mites tend to travel via the blood stream and affect the lungs. When present, the ailment is diagnosed as pulmonary inflammation due to larvae in the lungs. Treatment is given to prevent further damage.
Prevention is the key in both managing fleas and ticks. Preventing heartworm disease involves using flea comb daily and educating pets on how to use a flea collar. It is also important to provide a clean, dry area and make sure pets are not in areas that are humid, as this promotes the breeding of ticks and other pests. Pets should also be checked regularly by their veterinarians for signs of parasites, as treatment for existing infections is required to prevent reinfestation.
Pets can be tested for heartworm and tested for ticks regularly. Pets should be scanned for ticks weekly and treated if positive. Pets that are not properly tested will not receive treatment if they are in areas of the country where the ticks and mosquitoes are abundant. The best defense against both is preventative treatment. Pets can be tested daily for heartworm or treated for ticks.
Pets can be screened for heartworm disease during a regular checkup with the veterinarian. Pets can be screened for common symptoms of both diseases at home. If these symptoms are present, the vet may recommend a simple heartworm test or an urgent treatment if there is a heartworm infection developing. Some signs of the disease include weight loss, sluggishness, loss of appetite and coughing with or without blood in the breath. Other signs include lethargy, dehydration, dark urine, loss of body hair, clay-colored tongue, open bite wounds and red, swollen lymph nodes near the neck.
An important thing to know about heartworm treatment is that dogs need to be examined thoroughly before they are administered medications. This is because microfilariae can grow quickly and move around the body. Your veterinarian will take an animal history, look at the animal’s physical appearance and conduct a physical examination. He may even request laboratory tests for parasite diagnosis.
Some preventive tips for dogs include vaccination against heartworm and heartgard Plus. Heartgard Plus is the most effective prevention against adult worms. The product prevents both larvae and eggs from growing. It is highly recommended for pregnant dogs. You can give your dogs Heartgard bait twice a year or as directed by your veterinarian.
One of the more commonly used medications for heartworm preventives is ivermectin and milbemycin. ivermectin is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and is available in an oral spray, lotion and injection forms. Mibomycin is available in both a tablet and liquid formula. Your veterinarian can help you choose the appropriate dosage for your dog. Both medicines kill bacteria and prevent mosquitoes from biting your pet.