Heartworm Prevention

One of the best cost-effective ways of maintaining optimal pet health is taking a preventive approach. Speaking of preventative measures, this should be the approach you should take to prevent heartworm from compromising your pet’s health. Want to keep your pet heartworm-free? Eaton Animal Den is here to give a rundown of tips and tricks to keep heartworms away from your dog or cat.

Heartworm Prevention

What is Heartworm Disease?

Heartworm disease is transmitted by a parasitic worm spread through a mosquito bite. Heartworm disease is a severe disease that may damage your pet’s heart, kidney, and other organs. Dogs are the primitive hosts, meaning that heartworms mature into adults, mate, and produce when inside the dog’s body. The mosquito is an intermediary, meaning that heartworms live temporarily in the mosquito before it can be spread to another animal.

This parasitic worm is referred to as the “heartworm” because it habits the heart, lungs, and the associated blood vessels of the infected animal. Heartworm has been reported in all the states in America, but it’s more common along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Heartworm disease isn’t contagious, meaning one dog can’t pass it to another. Only a mosquito bite can transmit heartworm disease. While heartworms thrive effectively in dogs, they can also affect cats and ferrets. Heartworms can’t survive in humans.

Heartworm Prevention

Now that you know what causes heartworm disease and how it’s spread, it’s time to look at the preventive measures. There are several FDA-approved products out there to prevent heartworm. However, they all need the prescription of a veterinarian.

Most of the medications are given monthly, either topically or orally. Also, chewable and non-chewable tablets are available. You can also opt for an injection given 6 or 12 months by a veterinarian. The advantage of heartworm preventives is that they could effectively eradicate other parasites like the roundworm, hookworm, ear mites, fleas, and ticks.

If you want to win the battle against heartworm, year-round prevention is the best strategy. The American Heartworm Society emphasizes “Think 12.” Give your canine friend preventive medication for 12 months and have them tested for heartworm every 12 months.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Chiropractor for Heartworm Prevention in Eaton, CO

Heartworm disease develops gradually, but it can be fatal for your pet. If you want to keep your pet heartworm-free, prevention is the best strategy. Combine medication with annual testing, and you will be a step above heartworm disease. If you are in Eaton, CO, and want to learn more about heartworm prevention, please book an appointment with Eaton Animal Den by calling (970) 454-1700.

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Monday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

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