How to Deal With Heartworms This Summer?

By | May 1, 2015

With summers just around the corner, pets may need intensive care.  The humid and warm weather of summers induces parasitic as well as heartworm infestation in canines. According to the studies of Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), heartworm infections are prevalent in all 50 states of the U.S. Pets of Southeastern states are affected the most by this infection. To prevent heartworm infestation, veterinarians recommend using heartwormers for dogs throughout the year.

What is Heartworms?

Heartworm is unquestionably a dangerous disease that may be found in practically any corner of the world. Dirofilaria immitis worms, which are cylindrical, slender, and foot-long parasites, cause it. They live in the heart, lungs, and blood arteries of the infected animal, causing abrupt heart failure, lung illness, and serious damage to many areas of the afflicted animal. Heartworm infection can be seen in dogs, cats, ferrets, and other animal species including wolves and foxes, as well as humans on rare occasions. Because of their proximity to non-rural regions, wild animals such as wolves are thought to be key carriers of the disease.

Let’s catch some important details regarding heartworms and their preventive options that could protect your furry friends this summer!

Why are heartwormers necessary in summers?

Heartworms are transmitted to dogs through a bite of the mosquito that has already been to an infected host. The temperate and humid atmosphere of summers creates a prime breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread the heartworm larvae from infected dogs. Around late February and early March, female heartworms release massive amounts of larvae which are then carried to another host by mosquitoes. If your poodle is not on a continuous heartworm preventive, they may have to face some serious health issues in this season.

Summers have the maximum possibilities of the larva transfer through mosquitoes. To keep your furry friend away from this lethal infection, vets recommend treating them with heartwormers for dogs every month. Before starting any preventive treatment, it is necessary to get your canine checked up for heartworm infection. It is advisable to start with these treatments only if your pooch has no trace of heartworms in them.

Symptoms of Heartworm Infection

In the early stages of the infection, many dogs show very few or no symptoms at all. Symptoms are more likely to emerge as the illness progresses. Clinical indications in heavily infected canines or animals afflicted with various ailments are common. The following is a list of the most common symptoms of heartworm infection:

  • Soft and dry cough
  • Lethargy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Bulging chest
  • Difficult or rapid breathing
  • Allergic reactions
  • Collapse or unconsciousness

Other signs and symptoms of heartworm disease include nosebleeds, pneumonia, excessive sleep, elevated blood pressure, and so on. These parasites can cause blindness or seizures if they reach other organs such as the brain or eyes. These symptoms are uncommon, but they do occur in some situations.

How to shield your furry friends from Heartworm infection?

The simplest and safest way to protect your pawed friends from this lethal infection and its diseases is to keep them on heart wormers all around the year, even in cold weather. There are two types of heartworm preventives in the market: topical solutions and chewable. Let’s talk about both types of preventives!

Topical Heartwormers

The most trusted and recommended topical heart wormers for dogs are Revolution and Advantage multi, also known as Advocate. Revolution and Advocate for dogs, both are potent enough to prevent your pooch from heartworms as well as other parasites like fleas, ticks, ear mites, lice, and sarcoptic mange. Both are waterproof treatments that combat several parasites for an entire month. These preventives are capable enough to eliminate the juvenile stages of parasites. If your canine is fine with topical solutions, these topical solutions can be the best option as you may not need to buy separate treatments for heartworms and other parasites like fleas and ticks.

Revolution

Oral Heartwormers

Some pets are fussy about topical solutions because of their foul smell. If you want to escape the mess of spot-on treatments, you can choose oral heartwormers like Heartgard Plus for dogs and Interceptor. Both treatments are easier to administer to dogs with their enticing beefy flavor. Interceptor can shield your friend from heartworms and all the intestinal worms like roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. While Heartgard Plus do not terminate tapeworms and whipworms in dogs.

Heartgard-Plus

For a pet parent, summers can be the most difficult time with the fledging parasitic infestation in dogs. It is inevitable to provide thorough protection to your furry friends from heartworms. Choose a suitable heartwormer for your pooch to keep your pets safe from heartworms and its diseases.