Introduction
Canine heartworm disease can hardly be regarded as a minor issue or a disease that is not dangerous to the life of a dog. This is a parasitic disease that is brought by worms that infest in the heart and in the lungs. The administration of heart worm preventive is crucial in the life of your dog.
Nonetheless, some people who have pets decided to take precautions because they are concerned with causative effects. Heartworm prevention for dogs- Is it possible for it tocause sickness on the dog? In this article, I’ll make a list of facts and offer suggestions on how to help your dog live a safe and healthy life.
Understanding Heartworm Prevention
Prevention is carried out in various ways most of which are in the form of preventive medications. These include tablets that are easy to chew, topical formulations as well as injections. These medications are effective in eliminating immature larvae roundworms in a pet’s bloodstream or tissues prior to reaching adulthood.
Costa and Azevedo (2011) have stated that they are highly effective when administered on a regular basis. Still, like any such medication, they have their own drawbacks and some of them are rather serious. This will also help you make a right decision for your pet in case you have one.
Possible Side Effects of Heartworm Prevention
In general, dogs experience no problems with the prevention of heartworms. But some patients may experience certain side effects in a moderate way. Some of symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy. Some breeds of the dog may develop an allergy to some food products. Some may include itching, swelling of the face or throat, and difficulties in breathing.
The reactions in question are severe, which is why severe reactions are possible. In addition to the listed symptoms, if your dog becomes panicked or agitated, seek help from your veterinarian. This is due to the fact that any related complications can be easily noted after administering medication in your dog.
Factors That Influence Side Effects
In general, there are various factors that can influence the reaction of a dog to the medication that is used to prevent heartworms. Some of the factors that are considered are age, weight, and the general wellbeing of the male member. Breeds could react differently to certain medicines because of the variations in the DNA of different breeds.
The possible side effects are more likely to be seen in subjects with some prior medical conditions. So it was true, the dosage must be correct. This is due to the fact that the same can be escalated to the level of toxicity if offered in large quantities, as may not be efficient if offered in less proportions. Try to stick to the veterinarian’s advice in order to reap the best outcomes.
Ingredients in Heartworm Prevention Medications
Heartworm preventatives have chemicals as active ingredients which are affective in removing parasites. The chemicals that are typically common in the products are Ivermectin, Milbemycin oxime, Selamectin, and Moxidectin. Most of these ingredients are safe, but there could be some effects on the dogs in some manner.
For instance, ivermectin can be toxic in some of the collie breeds. Awareness of the content of the pill enhances its safety since you’d be in a position to choose the best option to feed to your dog. Before getting into the adulthood, the consumption of Ester-C needs to be discussed with a veterinarian.
Preventing Negative Reactions
To lessen the chances of experiencing them here are some tips you can follow The result is that hardly will you see anyone go through the standard set out procedures without experiencing side effects. In case you are advised to do so, always administer the heartworms together with the food of your pet. This aids digestion as well as prevents a develop or irritation of the stomach.
Make sure that the dog consumes enough water to facilitate metabolism of the medicines that are administered. Ensure to observe the response of the pet to the dose that was given to them. If your dog has some prior reactions, it is wise to consult your vet regarding what other treatments can be taken. Foremost, prudent measures should be taken to prevent such complications as much as possible since they would be lethal with ordinary flu.
Natural Alternatives: Are They Safe?
There is still a demand for natural solution that can serve as preventive for heartworm in the pets. Sometimes, the practices also include treatment with remedies made of herbs and application of essential oils. However, they are not very efficient in safety performances.
Heartworm disease is fatal and that is why the failure to follow the prescribed preventive measure is dangerous for your dog. But always it is advisable to consult a veterinary before using the natural remedies. Regarding this, traditional medications can be labeled as the most effective method of protecting your dog. In as much as there are unique needs differing from one animal to another, the overall well-being of an animal should always come along with safety.
What to Do If Your Dog Gets Sick
If the side effects are observed in your dog, do not wait long to address them. Ingestion of this product should be ceased and veterinarian must be consulted. They can suggest another brand or a lesser strength of the product. If the case is severe, there are some treatments which will require the services of a veterinarian.
Other sources of patient-generated data are also very valuable; one of these is holding a list of reactions to assist in future treatment plans. If vomiting or diarrhea continues, one may suffer from diarrhea. Give them water and observe their state of health keenly. The information here quickly allows you to prevent complications and ensure your dog is kept protected and safe.
The Importance of Regular Vet Visits
It helps in ensuring the health status of your dog since the Vet verifies that the dog is indeed in good health. For this purpose, you should take your pet to the vet regularly so that your vet can monitor your pet’s condition and the medications administrations adjusting them if necessary. It also proves that the drop in the eggs count is due to the effect of the heartworm prophylactic if the dog is given an annual test.
Probably you control your dog through some medications this does not mean you should not make tests on your dog. No medication is 100% foolproof. The severity of the disease decreases if it is detected at an early stage because the patient can easily undergo the necessary treatment. Hence it is always advisable to prevent rather than cure heartworm disease in pets.
Comparing Different Heartworm Preventatives
There are various types of medicines for a dog’s heartworm, which vary depending on the condition of your dog. Some animals accept chewable tablets better than others whereas some are compatible with topical applications. Injections last long and are effective but some of them cause vesicular swelling.
Each type has advantages and the disadvantages; with chewables; it is easy to administer but they may cause stomach upsets. Topicals do not enter the digestive system, but their wise use poses no threat. From this it will be possible for your vet to advise on the best option given the health status of your dog and its lifestyle.
Signs of Heartworm Disease
It should be noted that even if heartworm prevention measures are taken, there are certain clinical signs used to diagnose the disease. Some of the signs which are seen in the cases include coughing, constant fatigue, weight loss and shortness of breath. Some dogs may not present it in trial forms at the initial onset of the infection. It has been reported that advanced cases can result in heart failure.
Consult the veterinarian if any of these symptoms arise for prompt treatment to be administered. The best opportunity of treatment is occasioned by early diagnosis. The prevention and testing are intertwined in such a way that they should be implemented in equal measures to keep the dog healthy.
The Risk of Skipping Heartworm Prevention
Skipping heartworm prevention is dangerous. The disease is contagious as it is transmitted through infected mosquitoes. Thus, once a patient gets infected, to contain and treat him/her is very costly and hazardous as well. Severe cases take even months of medication and bed rest.
Severe infections can be fatal. Preventative medication is also more effective than corrective one and doesn’t have severe side effects or very expensive price. That is why even when the dog is kept indoors the mosquitoes can still be a threat to the dog’s health. It is therefore important that an ounce of prevention be done throughout the year to avoid this deadly disease.
Conclusion
It’s important nonetheless to prevent this disease since it has certain side effects even if it is fatal. The risks of the disease are much higher than the side effects which some examination can cause for the dogs. They include usual, short-term side effects, that are common to most drugs of this category.
Cooperating with the veterinarian allows you make the correct decision as per the safety of the dog. It is important also to always observe your pet after administering the medicine. If ever case comes up, it is advisable to consult with your veterinarian on the other options available. One of the best things any dog owner can do is to protect his or her dog from heartworms.
