Heartworm disease occurs when an infected mosquito bites a dog, and the larvae of the heartworm are injected into the host animal. The larvae travel through the circulatory system until they reach the heart, where they begin to develop into adult heartworms. They then begin reproducing and releasing new larvae into the animal. This larvae is then transmitted again when a different mosquito feeds from an infected dog. In this way, heartworm disease is easily spread over and over again.

Once the disease is present, heartworm medicine for dogs can be difficult for the canine to endure. Two injections are given, approximately twenty four hours apart, which kill the adult worms and allow the dog’s immune system to flush them out of the system. Many complications can and do occur regularly during heartworm treatment, including anaphylactic shock; heart attack in older, less healthy dogs; and pulmonary embolism, which is the most common complication. This occurs when dead worms completely block a vein or artery in the dog’s lungs, causing death.

Heart worms affects canines of all ages and all variety of dog breeds, in every part of the United States. Heartworm disease is most troublesome in areas that experience mild winters and warm, wet summers. After all, these are the ideal conditions for breeding mosquitoes. Heartworm disease in dogs can strike in any season, in any area and any breed and size of canine.

Fortunately, there is a method of prevention. Ivermectin is given as a monthly pill that will safeguard your dog against this terrible disease. Heartworm medicine for dogs releases a potent medication which kills the heartworm larvae. This prevents them from reaching the heart and maturing, stopping the disease in its tracks. Heartworm pills are extremely safe and effective in preventing heart worm disease when used as directed by a veterinarian.

In addition to ivermectin, heartworm medication generally contains the preventative medicine of pyrantel. Pyrantel rids dogs of other internal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms and whipworms. This is a very beneficial trait of heartworm medications, as these types of parasites are all very common in all canine breeds.

Heartworm medicine is only available by prescription in the United States. However, it can be purchased in places other than your veterinary office, such as websites that offer online dog supplies, provided that you have a valid and recent prescription. A veterinarian will perform an occult heartworm test to detect the presence of antigens for heartworm disease as part of a routine annual examination for your dog. As long as your pet pooch continues to test negative, monthly heartworm pills for prevention are all you need to keep your dog healthy.

Heartworm disease is a terrible affliction that is extremely preventable with the judicious use of heartworm pills and medication. In order to ensure your pet’s health, use heartworm medicine for dogs all year round for the duration of your dog or puppy’s life.