Dogs of all ages and breeds are vulnerable to heartworm infestations. These heartworms can infest our dogs’ hearts, lungs, and blood vessels, subjecting them to life-threatening infections. If not taken care of on time, the infection can cause permanent damage to your dog’s organs that can be fatal. If you’re a new dog parent and don’t know much about the importance of heartworm prevention, you’ve come to the right place.
In this blog, we will discuss the importance of heartworm prevention in dogs to help you keep your pet safe and heartworm-free.
Read on to find out more!
How Do Dogs Get Heartworm Disease?
Heartworm disease, also known as dirofilariasis, is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis. The blood-borne parasites are transmitted to dogs when infected mosquitoes bite them. When a mosquito bites a heartworm-infected animal, it ingests circulating microfilariae, or young immature heartworms. It further develops into larvae inside the mosquito’s body over 10 to 14 days. And when the mosquito bites a healthy dog, it transmits the larvae into its body. The larvae then migrate through the dog’s tissue, enter its bloodstream and grow into adult parasites inside its organs, like the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels.
Importance of Heartworm Prevention in Dogs
Here’s why heartworm prevention is crucial for dogs.
- Prevents Life-Threatening Risks
If not prevented on time, heartworms can mature into adults and grow up to 12 inches long and live in the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They can cause severe inflammation and thickening of blood vessels, forcing the heart to work harder, eventually causing heart failure.
- Prevents Irreversible Damage
Even after a dog is successfully treated for heartworms, the parasites tend to leave behind permanent scarring and damage to the heart and arteries that may affect the canine’s quality of life forever.
- Keeps Your Dogs Safe from Invisible Threats
It is immensely important to prevent heartworms as early stages of heartworm disease don’t show any symptoms. However, by the time a dog starts coughing or showing fatigue, the infection has advanced and has already caused significant damage to the dog’s health.
- Prevents the Need for High-Cost Treatment
When it comes to heartworm disease, prevention is always less expensive than a cure. Treating an active heartworm infection involves an expensive and complex procedure that may not be covered by your dog’s health insurance.
- Helps You Avoid Risky Treatment Process
According to studies, the treatment used to kill heartworms contains arsenic that can be toxic to dogs. During treatment, dogs are required to remain confined for months to be safe from the dead worms, which can cause life-threatening blockages in their blood vessels.
- Ever-Present Exposure to Mosquitoes
Heartworms are transmitted through mosquitoes. However, it is very difficult to prevent mosquito bites. According to studies, even indoor dogs are at high risk, as mosquitoes can easily enter homes through open doors and windows and bite our dogs. Therefore, effective heartworm prevention is highly important to prevent the risk of heartworm infection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Does my dog need heartworm prevention even if they stay indoors?
Even indoor dogs need heartworm protection, as heartworm-infection-carrying mosquitoes can easily enter homes through doors and window screens and transmit the infection through bites.
- Why is year-round heartworm prevention recommended?
Mosquitoes can remain active throughout the year. Many species have also adapted to survive indoors in climate-controlled environments. Therefore, year-round heartworm prevention is crucial to keep dogs safe from the deadly infection.
- Can I administer my dog a heartworm preventive without consulting the vet?
You should not administer a heartworm preventive to your dog without consulting a vet, as a dog generally needs to be tested for active heartworms before getting on a year-round heartworm prevention program.
- What are the most recommended heartworm preventives on the market?
Some of the most effective heartworm preventives are Heartgard Plus, Nuheart, Revolution, Interceptor Plus, Valuheart and Advantage Multi.
Bottom Line
Heartworm prevention is essential for protecting dogs from a potentially fatal infection. By using monthly or year-round preventatives, you will be able to prevent the larvae from maturing into adult worms that damage the heart, lungs and blood vessels. Always remember to ensure consistent prevention to help your dog thrive and remain healthy, all year round.
At BudgetPetWorld, we carry a wide range of heartworm preventives at the best prices. Check out our online store to purchase your preferred treatments at discounted prices.