Heartworm Pills for Dogs - What You Need to Know

By: Ron Heggemeier Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Heartworm pills for dogs are used to both prevent and treat heartworms in our canine friends. You are smart enough to know that you need to take some action to prevent heartworms in your dogs and to treat your dog if they do come down with heartworms. What you may not know is that there are some harsh side effects that go along with treatment and prevention using traditional medications. We will discuss both. Imagine being able to treat effectively and avoid the side effects.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORMS IN OUR PETS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals. A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans. When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can in found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

Today’s commonly used heartworm medications are used to kill larvae that are already in our dog’s bloodstream and thereby prevent the larvae from becoming heartworms that can invade our dog’s organs and heart.

HEARTWORM PILLS FOR DOGS | PREVENTION

Revolution – This is a broad spectrum medication that has been reported to be the top of the list for dogs. This medication also protects your dog from flea infestations.

Interceptor – This medication is reported to prevent heartworms, hookworms, whipworm, and roundworms.

Heartgard – This medication is widely available that prevents heartworms, hookworms and roundworms. Very few side effects have been reported with this medication.

Iverhart Max – This medication is used for heartworms and tapeworms. There do not seem to be many reported side effects with this medication.

Active ingredient in Heartgard and Iverhart is ivermectin. The active ingredient in Interceptor is milbemycin and the active ingredient in Revolution is selamectin oxime. These medications work as a preventative in the sense they are actually using chemicals to kill off heartworms in their early stages. So while some say they are preventative they are also treatment.

VETERINARY ADVICE ON HEARTWORM PILLS FOR DOGS

Because heartworms are such a serious issue you should not administer heartworm medication without consulting your veterinarian. It is just that simple. While you can also use home remedies to fend off heartworms infesting your pets these should be used at the advice of your veterinarian.

Many current heartworm pills for dogs produce harmful side effects in our pets. That is why a growing number of concerned pet owners have decided to use natural remedies. Many natural remedies work quite well and save you a bunch of money in the process. Read on through the last paragraph and find out home remedies secrets that are safe and effective.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

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