This article will give you the information you need to know to answer the question is heartworm medicine necessary. You are smart enough to know that we need to take some form of preventative action to help our pets from getting heartworms. The question really is can I use some form of natural preventative action versus traditional veterinarian medications. Additionally, when do I have no other option but to use medications?
If you are trying to prevent heartworms then you do not have to use heartworm medications. If you dog is in the later stages of heartworm disease then you probably don’t have many choices but to go the vet and have your pet injected with Immicide which is an arsenic based treatment.
HEARTWORM SYMPTOMS
Breathing difficulties
Coughing
Vomiting
Weight loss
Collapse
Convulsions
Sudden death
Tiredness
Decreased appetite
Heart failure
Difficulty exercising
Bloody sputum
Loss of consciousness
Abnormal lung sounds
May take years after initial infection to show up
STAGES OF HEARTWORM DISEASE IN DOGS
Stage One – mild symptoms or no symptoms and only small changes shown on x-rays
Stage Two – moderate symptoms including coughing but x-rays now show the disease
Stage Three – severe symptoms including weight loss, coughing, respiratory difficulty. Th this stage there can be kidney and liver damage
Stage Four and Five – critical symptoms including collapsing in shock
Test run by your veterinarian will determine the stage of heartworm disease and recommend treatment accordingly. These tests can include blood tests, fecal matter tests, and x-rays
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FORMS OF CONVENTIONAL HEARTWORM TREATMENT
A slow kill method using a ivermectin based medicine such as Heartgard or Ivermax
A fast kill method using Immiticide which contains an arsenic compound
Surgical removal of the heartworms from the heart and arteries leading to the heart
Most commonly used heartworm medications used today contain insecticides which can cause harsh side effects in our pets. Because of this many pet owners are turning to alternative ways to prevent heartworms to answer the question is heartworm medicine necessary. If you can prevent your dog from getting bit by an infected mosquito carrying the heartworm larvae then you can prevent heartworms in your dog.
ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORMS
Because many veterinarians now recognize that long term use of preventative medications can cause side effects in our pets many people are turning to alternative methods to prevent heartworms. The methods will help overall but you should discuss using them with your vet.
Provide a healthy diet. Many people are now avoiding commercial pet food and feeding their pets natural vegetables, fruits, and raw meat
Boost your pet’s immune system
Strengthen your pet’s heart and circulatory system
In areas where heartworms are prevalent think about regular de-worming
Black walnut extract and garlic are also being used as preventatives
Prevention is much cheaper than treatment at the vet’s office
Did you know that garlic is now being used to prevent the mosquito bites that cause heartworms?
Want time tested ways to treat a lot of your pet’s illnesses and ailments without having to pay a vet bill? If so, then click on the links below and get some great home remedies that will save you a lot of money
Article Source: http://www.articlesolve.com
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