Pet owners who ignore the veterinarian’s advice to administer heartworm medicine to their dog may think it is something they can add later. Heartworm disease is easily prevented by pet meds such as Heartgard. This beefy wafer is a monthly treat your dog will enjoy, is inexpensive and can save the life of your best friend and eliminate any need for expensive and painful treatment for heartworm disease.

Lungs, kidney and liver or dogs can be harmed by heartworm disease just as the heart is. The long thread-like worms can do serious damage to the organs of the animal. Spread by mosquitoes from an infected animal to a new host, the larvae circulate in the blood and mature inside the dog. At this point, heartworm disease is infectious and mosquitoes biting your dog will spread the parasites to other animals.

Heartworms grow to maturity in about six months and cannot survive unless they pass through a mosquito. Hot, humid climates are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and not surprisingly also have the highest incidence of heartworm disease in dogs. However, the disease is diagnosed in canines in 50 states.

A dog can be infected with heartworm multiple times from different mosquitoes. Mature heartworms migrate to the heart of a dog and can live there for up to seven years. Dogs can have heartworms present without a diagnosis of heartworm disease as the disease is caused by adult heartworms that have invaded the heart of the animal.

The heart clogged the parasites must pump harder to keep blood flowing. Pulmonary hypertension results when the right side of the heart has to work harder to push blood to the lungs. A strong heart can pump the blood harder but in time the heart muscle will begin to thicken and become weak. Arrhythmia leading to the dog’s death may be the end result.

If the heart is weakened, fluids build up in the abdominal cavity and in the chest. Dogs will have difficulty breathing and appear to have distended bellies. Untreated heartworm disease causes other problems, too. The heartworms stimulate an immune response in the animal and the natural buildup of antibodies can cause inflammation in eyes, joints and kidneys causing pain and damaging membranes.

Some dogs may not show any symptoms of heartworm disease until they reach a stage where the disease threatens their life. The worms can expand into the veins that lead to the heart and even fill the right side of the heart itself. Caval Syndrome results and the animal collapses and goes into shock. Emergency surgery is the only treatment that may remove enough of the heartworms to save the dog. Death usually occurs with 48 hours of the collapse without surgery.

Heartworm disease can be prevented by following your veterinarian’s recommendation for preventive heartworm medicine for dogs. Sentinel and Heartgard are tasty and accepted by dogs as a treat once a month. Revolution is topical spot on treatment that prevents heartworms as well as fleas. These pet meds are by prescription only but can be purchased at reputable online pet sites at reasonable prices. Your dog can be protected from heartworm disease for as little as $10 a month.

Preventive heartworm medicine for dogs guarantees your dog will never have to undergo heartworm treatment that leaves him weakened for weeks. Buy the most effective heartworm prevention meds at http://www.petscriptsdirect.com .

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  3. Heartworm And Your Hunting Dog
  4. Treatment Plans for Heartworms
  5. Best Flea Medicine For Dogs – Rotate Flea Medicines To Maintain Flea Killing Properties

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