It’s possible to stop heartworms in a variety of your pets such as cats, dogs and ferrets, in particular.
To prevent a serious and often fatal illness requires consistent, all-year-round preventive treatment with an injection, pill or topical treatment according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Heartworms are a parasite which can grow up to 12-inches in size. The larvae may get into a pet’s body via mosquito bites , and then move through the bloodstream before infecting the pet’s lung and heart blood vessels.
Although the disease isn’t able to transmit between pets, mosquitoes are able to transmit it after biting pets with the disease.
Heartworms among humans are extremely uncommon, according to the FDA observed.
The first symptoms of heartworm disease can be invisible and are often overlooked It is characterized by a mild cough, a decreased appetite, as well as weight gain. The later signs of the disease include a constant cough, fatigue after moderate to moderate activities, trouble breathing and a reduced appetite. Heartworm disease may damage the liver, heart, lungs and kidneys.
Heartworm infections can be found all year long and across every state, with the exception of those in colder climates.
Pets should have the right amount of medication to prevent heartworms in their blood in order for it to be effective in the event that mosquitoes appear. The medications only target heartworm larvae, not adults.
If you own an animal: Have your dog checked prior to beginning medications. This is done by an easy blood test.
If your pet frequently taken heartworm medicine it is still necessary to conduct a test. This is because no medication can be 100% effective, and it’s crucial to confirm that the drug is working as intended and that any delay in administering the medication haven’t left it at risk of contracting the disease.
If your dog is infected while not taking the medication to prevent heartworms and you take the medication again without first testing for heartworms you could be putting the dog at risk.
The treatment of adult heartworms involves an arsenic-containing medication that has been approved by the FDA that is potentially hazardous procedure.
Pets in the indoor environment also require heartworm treatments because mosquitoes can get inside through windows and doors that are not closed.
If you own an animal: Heartworms don’t survive in cats as long as it is in humans, however cats are at risk for heartworm-related diseases according to the FDA. The process of diagnosing the disease is more difficult. Apart from blood work cat tests may include ultrasounds and X-rays.
There is no FDA-approved treatment to kill adult heartworms is available for cats. This can cause additional problems when the diagnosis and treatment of cats and prevention is crucial all year round.
If you own ferrets: Testing for heartworms in ferrets isn’t as straightforward, easy or as reliable as for dogs. There isn’t a FDA-approved treatment to kill the adult heartworms that plague ferrets So, prevention is essential.
The FDA recommends talking with your veterinarian regarding the frequency and timing to check your pet’s for heartworms as well as the type of heartworm preventative medication is the best to use for the pet.
Topical treatments might not be recommended for pets close to children, for instance.
Heartworm prevention medicines are prescription only. Beware of websites or shops that sell the drugs without a prescription, FDA cautioned.
