How can I actively participate in heartworm prevention for my dog? Heartworms are serious and potentially deadly conditions caused by parasitic worms living in the lungs and sometimes the right side of the heart. Although mostly common in dogs, heartworms can live in other animals as well. The condition is transmitted from animal to animal through the bites of mosquitoes and other insects.
What is heartworm prevention for dogs?
The good news is that there are many FDA-approved products that prevent heartworms in dogs. These products all require a veterinarian’s prescription and come as a topical liquid or as a chewable tablet. It’s not uncommon for these prescriptions to contain other ingredients that are effective in preventing intestinal worms and parasites as well. One product is injected under the skin and only has to be done every 6 or 12 months. Overall, year-round prevention is the best and most proven method of heartworm prevention.
Why is heartworm prevention important?
The life cycle of the heartworm is complex and goes through many stages within a host’s body tissue before migrating to the heart and lungs. Prescribed medications only kill early stage larvae. After heartworms grow past this stage they become immune to the medication in heartworm prevention medications. This is why it’s important to give your dog heartworm prevention every month.
When should I start heartworm prevention?
You should start heartworm prevention with your puppy as soon as possible. The American Heartworm Society recommends starting a puppy on heartworm prevention no later than eight weeks old. In the case that heartworm prevention is too late, treatment when needed should be administered as early in the course of the disease as possible.
Where to get heartworm prevention?
Let our highly trained specialists help you prevent these issues or provide emergency surgery when necessary. If your pet needs heartworm prevention in Albuquerque, contact Petroglyph Animal Hospital today! Call right away at (505) 898-8874.