Many dog owners fear the possibility that their dog could have heartworms. Heartworms are a dangerous parasite that can be transferred to dogs via mosquito bites. The worms enter the dog’s bloodstream through the mosquito’s bite as microscopic eggs that grow into large worms that live in the heart of the host dog. Dogs with large amounts of heartworms inside their bodies develop symptoms including weight loss, lethargy and persistent cough. Does your dog have heartworms? And, if it does, how are you going to treat them?
How to Treat Heartworms: Conventional or Natural?
Conventional
Normal procedures used to kill heartworms are often dangerous for dogs. That’s because the active ingredients used in killing the worms can cause organ damage in dogs. This is on top of the damage already done to the dog’s organs by the worms themselves. Further, once the worms die, they usually flow into the dog’s lungs. This can cause even more complications, such as blood clots, blocked airways and even more organ damage.
The main ingredient in the procedure that kill heartworms has an ingredient called immiticide which is injected over two or three doses, though many vets prefer the three-dose version. This is because the adult worms dying in large groups can cause more damage than them dying in smaller groups. The three-dose treatment occurs over three months.
Dogs undergoing treatment need to be kept indoors and need to be kept from strenuous activity that could increase heart rate. The risk of an embolism is lessened if the dog is kept from getting an increased heart rate, though this is somewhat difficult for some dog owners.
While undergoing treatment, dogs should be kept indoors for a month and any physical activity that will increase the heart rate must be strictly avoided. The reason for this is to minimize the above risk of circulatory embolism.
Ivermectin is often used in dogs who have minor cases of heartworms. That’s because it’s able to kill baby heartworms while also weakening and sterilizing existing heartworms. This prevents new infections from forming and allows your dog to naturally outlive the heartworm infection they have.
Natural Treatments
Some dog owners swear by natural treatments for heartworms. One such natural treatment includes the herb black walnut used in conjunction with various homeopathic remedies. These types of remedies tend to be mixed together and given to a dog once or twice a month.
Another such natural treatment is milk thistle seed and dandelion tea. These types of treatments are often recommended for people who are using conventional treatments for their dogs, too! While the natural treatments have mixed results, some dog owners have reported them as working very well.
Keep in mind, if you’re thinking about giving your dog natural treatment for heartworms, that you need to keep your vet in the loop. Make sure you have your dog checked up monthly for heartworms and see how your natural treatment is progressing. If your natural treatments aren’t having any effect, don’t hesitate to ask your vet about more conventional treatments.
Prevention
It’s actually not hard to help your dog keep from ever getting heartworms in the first place. All you need to do is be aware of some easy ways to prevent them from being infected at all. There are preventative medicines, like Heartgard Plus, that dog owners can use to keep the worms from being able to take root in the dog’s heart. This medication is given orally and must be given to the dog throughout their lifespan.
Remember: if the area you live in has mosquitos, your dog is at risk for heartworms. You need to take immediate steps to make sure that your dogs don’t have worms. If they do, you need to start treatment right away. If they don’t, you need to get them on a prevention medication right away. Sadly, this is a reality for dogs who live in areas like the American South or other areas where mosquitos are common.
What Happens if You Don’t Treat Heartworms
If you don’t treat heartworms, your dog will deteriorate in health over time. As the worms grow and multiply, it becomes harder and harder for them to pump blood to their organs. This results in lasting organ damage that will make them slower, more lethargic and less healthy. As the infection worsens, your dog will eventually pass away from organ failure. Don’t let your dog suffer this fate: begin taking steps today to keep them safe from heartworms. They depend on you to take care of them, so don’t let you down!