Even if your pet is of the indoor variety most pet owners enjoy taking them along for outdoor activities. Most dogs long for the great outdoors, at least from time to time, perhaps sensing through DNA what it might have been like to roam the woods protecting their territory and hunting for food. But with outdoor activity comes the very real risk of heartworms, especially for those pets who aren’t protected. Heartworms, or Dirofilaria immitis, are a very common parasite with their primary target being dogs. That said, it is not all that uncommon for cats, ferrets, and even coyotes to become infected. Heartworms need help to spread and their partner in infectious crime is the lowly mosquito. The mosquito bites an animal that has immature heartworms circulating in its bloodstream, and ingests them. After 48 hours or so the mesquite bites another unsuspecting animal, injecting a larval stage under the skin. It takes six to seven months of traveling through the body, and continued maturation, but eventually this dangerous parasite finds its way to the intended destination which of course is the heart. Once firmly established in its new home a parasitic heartworm can live for up to seven years. Studies tell us that dogs can have as many as 250 plus heartworms or just a single one. Male worms are generally about 6 inches in length with females growing up to an amazing 12 inches. It doesn’t take much imagination to realize how much damage hundreds of foot long worms can cause in an average dogs heart. According to the American Heartworm Society the probability of infection in the United States does have some geographic correlation. The highest rate of heartworm infected dogs is within 150 miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, ranging from the Southeast to New Jersey. Additionally, the Mississippi River and its tributaries have exceedingly high rates of infection. But while geography matters a great deal perhaps the best indication as to whether an area has a high probability of heart worm infection is whether or not it is considered peak mosquito country. Research shows that almost half of dogs not on heartworm preventative in is the South/Southeast region will get heartworms. Infected dogs may show a variety of symptoms. In the early stages there may be few if any symptoms. Later symptoms likely will include a worsening cough, or your pet getting tired from relatively little exercise. As the worms continue to irritate the pulmonary veins, grow and eventually all but clog the heart chambers, the dog will experience heart failure. Occasionally, with advanced heartworm disease, a dog may collapse and die right on the spot. Heartworm disease can be treated successfully much of the time, though your veterinarian will tell you that the best strategy is prevention. According to Dr. Michelle Dehaven, DVM heartworm preventative should be given monthly, all year. Dr. Dehaven goes on to say that it is not so much what type of product used rather that it is used, and used consistency. Certainly, there is no shortage of preventatives ranging from natural homeopathic versions to chemical compounds but they all have one thing in common, none are 100 percent effective. That is why every dog should be tested for heartworms annually. Most veterinarians will tell you that they see a least a couple of dog every year who, according to their owners have been consistently taking heartworm prevention medications, but still test positive. Early detection generally translates into successful treatment but in advanced cases there are no guarantees. A product named Parasite Dr. was available without prescription in easy to administer capsules and safe for cats and dogs. It promised to cleanse and detoxify, and promote digestive health. It contains herbs dogs would normally eat in a natural environment. Dogs are naturally omnivores drawn toward plants and herbs that balance their system. Unfortunately, in our modern world, packs of roaming herb seeking dogs are discouraged, and even in local parks there are often leash laws. Herbal and Homeopathic Treatment/Prevention for Heartworms
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