Warning not for the weak of stomach - why you want to be religious about giving monthly heartworm preventative

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I have been doing some research on the treatment of heartworm infection because our foster Miss Lucy is undergoing the treatment.  During my research I came across the American Heartworm Society website page discussing current canine guidelines concerning HW prevention, infection and treatment.

The site also has a few educational videos under the pet owners link.  Below is one of those videos.  Fortunately, Miss Lucy's HW infection was caught in early stage unlike the poor dog in the video.

 

Heartworms have been found around the world and in all 50 US states.  Please everyone, keep your beloved furkids on HW preventative. The old adage is so true with HW, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Great reminder, Nina!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I had no idea they were so long.  Scary!

 

It takes a few seconds a month to keep your dog safe from these.  Mark your calendars!

 

Also - very interesting method to remove these, going through the jugular down to get the ones in the upper veins.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

I could not watch this video but I don't need to, I would never forget Daisy's HW protection, this just scares me to death. Thanks for the reminder Nina.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Nina, that was really a good video.  I don't know how anyone can justify not giving the preventative to a loved pet.

[Dori & Rua]

I decided not to watch the video because I think I would have cried.  Rua gets her HW on the 20th each month (I put the stickers on my Doodle Kisses calendar hanging by the phone near the board that I have all of the pet emergency numbers (see Taylor/Bryce's post)!  I do K9 Advantix on the 9th, again, I put the stickers on my DK calendar!

 

So very glad that Miss Lucy is being treated before it got bad and thank you for fostering!

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Wow...that was crazy. We do not give Frankie and Johnny HW medication as I was under the impression that it is not needed in So. California???? Am I wrong because after watching this I don't want to take any chances.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Frances, I would check with your vet to be sure.  BTW, most HW prevention also prevents hookworm as well.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Frances, here is a link from LA county showing how many cases from the beginning of 2005 thru May 2011.  In 2010 there was 130 cases for LA county.

[F, Calla & Luca]

That was fascinating. It boggles the mind that this dog could live with this mass of worms. You would think there would be no way to pump enough blood. and that the poor dog was so sick and unsedated through that. Tomorrow is heartworm pill day. No way I'll forget!

[Linda and Murphy]

Thanks.

I drop Finn off for daycare early in the morning at the vet's office before the vet arrives. A few weeks ago I saw a couple in their mid twenties, nice vehicle rushing out with a bulldog maybe semiconscious. He was dripping bloody drool and they were rushing to the 24 hr emergency vet.

I asked the crew what was going on.  Said he probably wouldn't make it....heartworms.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's also important to know that unlike other types of worms, heartworms are not transmitted through contact with fecal matter, dirt, or other animals, but rather from being bitten by mosquitoes. Also unlike other types of worms, the gastrointestinal system is not affected.

Many people get confused about heartworms, because they associate giving HW preventatives with giving flea and tick preventatives. But HW is entirely different and not related to parasites like fleas and ticks. With all the warnings about spot-on treatments for flea & tick preventtions, it's important to know that while many F & T preventatives do also work against HW, HW is usually treated with an oral preventative, a very simple and relatively harmless drug called Ivermectin, which is used on very young puppies to de-worm them. So even if you are afraid of using chemicals on your dog, the HW preventative is not related to that. The only caution is for owners of certain herding breeds or mixes like Aussiedoodles. Ivermectin is contraindicated for these breeds.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Karen, I have a friend who has two ACD and they use Heartguard, are you saying they shouldn't use it because of their breed? What is the reason?

Lisa