Since you first adopted your puppy, you have probably heard (numerous times) the importance of heartworm prevention. Although the importance has been stressed, has anyone really explained to you why prevention is important? Heartworms are serious problems for dogs, and there is special care that should be taken to prevent the development of heartworm disease. However, it is more justifiable to keep giving your pooch medication when you understand why you are doing so.
Heartworms are carried and transmitted by mosquitoes, which is why the disease often thrives in warm, humid areas. Heartworms were once localized to the southern United States. They eventually made their way across the entire country. Now, some areas only require preventative techniques during certain times of the year (mosquito season), while other areas require preventatives year round. Recently, the American Heartworm Society suggested that all states implement year round prevention programs as a safety precaution. Even if you live in the desert of Arizona where you never see a mosquito, it is still important to put your pooch on a preventative plan. You never know when you may need to travel to an area where mosquitoes flourish.
The worm goes through many life cycles before it matures into the deadly adult. To put it simply, the semi-mature worms enter a dog's body through a mosquito bite. After spending time underneath the skin, they make their way into the blood stream. As they grow, they eventually find their way to the heart; hence the name "heartworms." It takes around six to seven months before the adult worms make their way to the heart and start reproducing; this is the stage where the major problems begin. Adult heartworms can reach 30 centimeters in length. The large heartworms can interfere with blood flow to and from the heart. If left untreated, heart failure can occur. Other problems associated with heartworms include liver failure, kidney failure, lung complications, and, rarely, seizures or blindness.
An infected dog will not show any signs or symptoms until the worms have matured into adults- approximately seven months after being bitten by the mosquito. After the seven month period, the dog will start showing signs of the infection. Coughing during or after exercise, fatigue, weight loss, loss of consciousness, and coughing up blood are all progressive symptoms of the disease. Heart failure usually follows.
Since the disease is caused by a single mosquito bite, it is no wonder your veterinarian has stressed the importance of prevention. Since administering preventative medication to an already infected dog can be fatal, veterinarians require that your dog undergo a blood test prior to starting the preventatives. If your dog is younger than seven months, then the medication can be started without a blood test. However, the dog should be tested seven months after the first dose is given. This is because the adult worms will not show up in the body until seven months after infection.
You have two basic options in preventative medicine: monthly doses or daily doses. Most people prefer the monthly dose because it has a retroactive effect - if one month is missed, the following month's dosage will take care of the missed month. With monthly medication, you can (but should not) accidentally skip a month or two and resume treatment. If time is skipped between doses, then you should have your pet tested for heartworms seven months after the first missed dose. Some vets recommend that you test your pet immediately following the missed dose, but heartworm detection at this stage is not possible. If the directions are followed carefully, both the daily and monthly options have been proven effective in preventing heartworms. The medication is considered a prescription, so do not expect to pick it up at your local supermarket. You should visit your veterinarian so that he or she can access whether or not your dog can and should start taking the medication.
You may have wondered what the big deal is about heartworm preventatives. Well, now you know. Heartworms are a serious problem that can be fatal for your pooch. An adult heartworm can cause heart failure, kidney and liver failure, and severe lung problems. It's easy to start your pet on a prevention program; but, you must first visit your veterinarian for guidance and a prescription for the medication.
This article was provided by pet-super-store.com a site featuring the fashion industries most desirable dog carriers at everyday low prices.
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