Prevention is better than cure which is very accurate for anybody. Your dog might quickly transfer some types of worms via mosquitoes or faeces: Hookworm, Roundworm, and Heartworm; therefore, it can easily affect your pet. If you leave it untreated, worms can spread and grow, creating severe complications to your pet's respiratory systems and intestinal. It can lead to severe heart failure, digestive problems, and even death for your pet.
Worms can easily be transferred to humans, so you must give effective worming treatment to your pet. In addition, protection against infection needs to be carried out regularly. Fortunately, we have Heartgard Plus, which is easy to administer, has a monthly dose, and is a safe and effective treatment for worm control.
Worms will expose every Puppy or dog. Puppies should be treated for worms every two weeks until 12 weeks, and lactating females should be treated. You need to give heartworm treatment for the rest of their lives for Dogs over 12 weeks.
Heartgard Plus is available in different sizes. Please ensure that your pet takes the entire dose, so you must observe your pet while administering and after that for a short while.
It is highly recommended to concern your vet before giving any heartworm treatment. Heartgard can cause severe reactions, so it will be safe to concern your vet regarding dosage. In addition, you need to bring your dog for the test and if infected larvae (microfilariae), adult heartworms, or heartworm treated before giving any worming treatment.
Let's have a close look at the types of worms.
Hookworms
Hookworm is a parasite which infects the intestines. Hookworm larvae (eggs) enter through the skin. Once they reach the intestine, they hatch. Hookworms are very small but ingest large amounts of blood when they attach to the dog's intestinal wall.
Hookworms – especially Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma brasiliense, and Unicinaria stenocephala are dogs' most common parasitic infections. However, they can infect other animals and even humans.
The most common symptoms are Gastrointestinal (GI) related. Anong the given life cycle of the hookworm. Your dog might have symptoms like black, tarry stools, Vomiting, decreased appetite, and weight loss because the worms feed on the blood. Your dog may become anemic and experience lethargy, weakness, and pale gums. Coughing and skin infection may also be seen, but they are less common symptoms.
Roundworms
Roundworms are the other most common intestinal worms in dogs. Dogs have two types of roundworms: Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis (T. canis). Puppies will get more T. canis, which can be transmitted to humans.
Some puppies will born with roundworms which they get from the dam. Therefore newborn puppies must get proper veterinary care. A fecal sample can diagnose roundworms and be treated with deworming medicine. If you don't treat roundworm on time, it can lead to poor growth or death in severe cases.
Some dogs will not show any symptoms of roundworms, and certain signs can accompany a case of roundworm.
Here are some symptoms of hookworms: Weakness, weight loss, stunted growth, coughing, Vomiting, and diarrhea. You will see one or more worms in vomit or stools as a dog parent.
Heartworms
Let's learn about heartworm disease. Heartworm disease is the most serious and potentially fatal disease. It is caused by foot-long worms in the lungs, heart, and associated blood vessels of affected pets, which can cause heart failure, and severe lung disease, and it can damage other organs in the body.
The mosquito plays a vital role in the heartworm life cycle. When an infected mosquito bites any animal, the heartworm larvae are transferred. These larvae migrate in tissue and the animal's circulatory system to the lungs and heart, fed on the blood, and grow to maturity. Some worms can be 30cm in length and 2cm in width. And heartworm larvae can survive in an animal's bloodstream for two years.
At first, heartworm will affect the lungs, and after that heart, it may also damage the circulatory system, liver, and kidney.
The symptoms of heartworm infections are coughing, respiratory sounds, shortness of breath, fainting, weight loss, lethargy, blood present in the mucus or saliva, Vomiting, swelling, and loss of appetite.
There are severe side effects if your dog is treated with preventative medicine and is already infected with heartworm disease.
Heartgard Plus
Heartgard Plus is a daily chewable heartworm disease prevention medication produced by Boehringer Ingelheim. Each chew is a beef product, which is excellent for treats—most dogs enjoy their taste. Heartgard contains ivermectin. This macrocycle lactone antiparasitic agent can kill Heartworm larvae. In addition, Heartgard Plus contains ivermectin and pyrantel, which kills roundworms and hookworms. It is an anthropogenic drug. Most veterinarians prefer Heartgard Plus to Heartgard as it helps reduce the risk of infection by controlling parasites. In addition, Heartgard Plus is a cheaper alternative and easier on your wallet and has an excellent price tag.
Heartgard Plus protects dogs from hookworms, roundworms, and heartworm preventative, and this is one of the most effective treatments on the market. Unfortunately, it will not protect from Fleas and Ticks, but you can give additional products with Heartgard Plus for complete protection. Most dogs like the taste of Heartgard plus.
The Potential Side Effect Of Heartgard Plus
Heartgard Plus uses ivermectin which causes death to the parasitic worms and paralysis. The dosage of ivermectin in Heartgard is pretty low, with little risk of side effects. You should get your dog tested before you start any heartworm treatment.
Most dogs will not see any side effects with Heartgard Plus. The most common side effects are Vomiting or diarrhea, which may occur within 24 hours after the dose. In addition, the following adverse reactions have been reported after using Heartgard Plus (Heartworm Medication).
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Ataxia (Drunken Gait)
- Loss of Appetite
- Seizures, Tremors, or Convulsions
- Excessive Drooling
- Dilated Pupils
Contact your vet if your dog experiences any side effects from Heartgard Plus.
Is Heartgard A Good Heartworm Prevention Tool For Dogs?
Traditionally, heartworm prevention has been a favorite amongst dog owners around the country. As a pet owner, you should know the dangers of heartworm disease and use Heartgard Plus for protection. Consult your veterinary physician if you already protect your pet against parasitic infections. All year-long heartworms are prevented from infecting dogs. In addition, a comprehensive parasite control campaign has been recommended to avoid heartworms, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks in dogs.
Is Heartgard Safe For Dogs?
Heartgard Plus is considered safe for almost any breed, even pregnant dogs. However, it's not recommended for puppies younger than six weeks. Heartgard can be injected at a younger age but not later.
Considerations
Dogs need a test before using Heartgard. The heartworm disease drug must be given with a positive heartworm test.
