The question “what is the safest heartworm treatment?” often arises as one and all tries to find the answer to the health of their dogs. Heartworms in dogs are parasites that attack the internal organs of your dog. They make their hosts sick by feeding off the nutrients the dog takes in. This disease is the main reason that dogs get heartworm infections.
There are several medications available for use against heartworms in dogs, and there are also several prevention measures you can take to lower your dog’s risk of getting infected. Dogs are commonly at risk if they have a family history of heartworm disease, and some people are at risk if they have a family member with heartworm. You should check your dog’s heartworm status to see what the status is and to determine how to prevent it from reoccurring. Your dog’s weight and activity level will help you determine whether or not he is a candidate for heartworm therapy. Some dogs get heartworm when they are very stressed or anxious.
How does heartworm medicine work? Most heartworm treatments are given via injections into a dog’s lower left ventricle. The drugs travel into the blood stream through the dog’s vein and circulate throughout the body. The drug is then absorbed into the red blood cells.
There are several types of heartworm treatment. One, called ciprofloxacin, is given in pill form. It is taken three times a day with water. Another heartworm treatment is known as doxycycline, and it works best on dogs that are not experiencing any other negative side effects from the heartworm.
What is the effect of long term heart worm disease on a dog? Death usually occurs within a year of diagnosis. The dog’s body eventually deteriorates, and the heart becomes weak. At this time, there is no further treatment required.
Is there a way to protect my dog against heartworm? Yes, there is. Pets at risk of heartworm include large breed dogs such as Saint Bernards, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds. Small breeds are also at risk, such as Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Miniature Schnauzers. Heartworm can affect other dogs as well, but they are not as commonly reported.
When are heartworm treatments administered? Usually, your veterinarian will give your dog an injection of heartworm medication once per week. In some cases, heartworm may be treated with a heartworm pill once per day. Your veterinarian can recommend the best heartworm treatment regimen for your dog.
Is it dangerous to treat heartworm with medications? Yes, absolutely! Dangerous side effects and complications from heartworm treatments can lead to failure in your dog’s heart and even death. So be sure you have your dog checked thoroughly by a veterinarian before administering heartworm medicine.
Is there another heartworm treatment that is safer than heartworm pills? A high-quality Heartgard Plus heartworm treatment combines medicine and heartworm preventive pills. This combination helps prevent your dog from acquiring heartworm while helping to keep its immune system healthy. Also, unlike heartworm medications, Heartgard Plus does not cause your dog any harm when used.
What about flea heartworm medications? If you are allergic to heartworm medications or heartworm treatment, you should avoid using flea medications. This includes heartgard plus as well as all other heartworm medications. It is absolutely essential that you check your dog for ticks regularly to ensure that your dog is not infected with heartworm.
Can my dog be safely eaten by another animal? It is safe to eat your dog but to eat other animals is not okay. The same holds true for fleas, they can get on your dog and pass the heartworm medication to your dog but will not harm it.
As you can see, there are many options when it comes to safe heartworm treatments. You need to consult with your veterinarian to make sure that your dog will not contract heartworm disease. Also, keep in mind that prevention is the best medicine. Keep an eye on your dog for signs of infection. If you see anything, contact a vet immediately.
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