Heart Worms meds are needed even if you have a dog that is an inside dog........... Mosquitoes get into houses. I use TRI-FLEX It gets rid of not only Heart worms but all other Worms also...... Internal and external parasites It is a flea and tick stuff also. 1 pill a month covers everything......... no more putting that crap on the back of a dogs neck! Here is a good article about heart worms.
Does Your Dog REALLY Need Heart worm Prevention? Dr. Jon Rappaport (PetPlace.com) Canine heart worm disease is a serious parasitic disease caused by a long, thin worm that lives in the blood vessels and heart of infected dogs. The disease is spread from dog to dog (and to cat) by mosquitoes. The mosquito bites a dog with heart worm infection, collects some of the microscopic heart worm offspring and then, after a couple of weeks, passes these on to another dog or cat. Inside the dog, the microscopic heart worm can grow into a parasite exceeding a foot in length. The life cycle is somewhat complicated. The important thing is to prevent worm development using safe and effective preventative drugs. Many pet owners ask – does my dog really need heart worm prevention. In most areas of the country – the answer is yes! In partnership withHeartworm Disease in DogsHow Healthy is Your Dog?How to Control and Prevent Fleas on Your Dog Heart worms are present (endemic) in most parts of the United States and in many parts of North America. Mosquitoes are the key – without them the disease cannot spread. The highest rates of infections are found in subtropical climates like those of the southeastern United States, the Gulf States and Hawaii. However, heart worms are also found throughout the central and eastern United States, particularly near oceans, lakes, wetlands and rivers. Heart worm disease injures the lungs, the arteries of the lungs and the heart. What are Symptoms of Heart worm Disease? Symptoms include tiring, coughing, weight loss and heart failure. Heart worm infection in dogs is usually diagnosed by a blood test. Talk to your vet immediately if you have concerns about heart worms in your pet. Early detection makes the difference between life and death. How do You Prevent Heart worm Disease? Prevention of heart worm disease is simple. In most cases, a once-monthly prescription tablet or topical treatment is all that is needed to effectively protect your pet. These "preventatives" kill microscopic larvae that are left behind by mosquitoes when they bite a dog. Before beginning heart worm prevention, any dog over 7 months of age should first have a heart worm test. Preventatives in heart worm positive dogs can cause severe reactions. Be safe, and make sure you and your vet are on the same page before starting or stopping any medications. Repeated heart worm blood testing every year is recommended even for dogs taking heart worm preventative year round. Previous recommendations were for every 1 – 3 year testing but this changed with the 2005 American Heart worm Society (AHS) recommendations to yearly testing. This is due to concern with breaks of pets on preventatives that still contracted heart worms. Annual testing will ensure that an infection is caught in plenty of time to effectively manage it. Testing is also recommended when a pet owner switches between preventative medications. What are the Official Recommendations Regarding Heart worm Prevention? The AHS recommends that all dogs in areas endemic for heart worms should take a year-round preventative. If you are not certain about the danger of heart worms in your area, call your veterinarian. Most veterinarians follow the guidelines published by the American Heart worm Society, a group of concerned veterinarians and scientists. They will be able to give you accurate advice on how to treat your pet. As noted above, dogs over 7 months of age should first have a heart worm test. The recommended heart worm prevention is a once-monthly pill. Some heart worm preventatives also control intestinal or external parasites (Tri-Flex). The wide range of excellent and safe heart worm prescription products can be explained by your veterinarian. For more information about the most recent recommendations on heart worm prevention, visit the guidelines posted on the Society's web site at www.heartwormsociety.org. ________________________________ Copyright© 2012 PetPlace.com Charlene.....Oklahoma Strangers Are Friends.....Not Yet Met To See GOD'S Wonders.....Travel Cook Like You Love It.....Even If You Don't (2011 Fleetwood Tara MH 34ft)
