Dog Heart Worm Medication

Heartworm was first discovered in dogs over a century ago and documented in cats by the 1920s. Since then, diagnostic tests and treatments for heartworm as well as preventative measures have been developed. Heartworm infestation may be extremely serious for the infected host; infected dogs that go untreated can die and even treated dogs must go through a long period of uncomfortable treatment (sometimes requiring surgery) to kill the worms and remove them from the body. Dog heart worm medication is readily available and if this is what is causing the problem you vet can find out right away. The best defense against heartworm is the use of prophylactic treatment given regularly during the mosquito season.

A course of heartworm prevention begins with a blood test to see if the parasite is present. If the dog is parasite free, a prophylactic medication can be used to prevent heartworm infection. A positive test result, on the other hand, usually requires treatment to eradicate the worms. Although at one time confined to more southern climates, heartworm has now spread to nearly all climates where its vector, the mosquito, is found. Transmission of the parasite from dog to dog occurs in all of the United States (except Alaska) and the warmer regions of Canada. The highest infection rates in North America occur in dogs within 150 miles of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. However, high rates of infections are found in any area with large mosquito populations. Many dogs will show little or no sign of infection even after the heartworms have matured. To some degree these dogs may be described as seeming to age slightly faster than normal as the worms slowly damage the lungs, kidneys and liver. These animals usually have a light infection and live a fairly sedentary lifestyle. However, active dogs and those with heavier infections will quickly show the classic symptoms of heartworm disease.