Heartworm disease is a highly hazardous and possibly fatal condition that can infect any dog breed at any age. Among the leading causes of heartworm infection in pets is mosquito bites, and it only takes one single bite from an infected mosquito to trigger a devastating heartworm illness.
This parasite has also been reported more seldom in cats and ferrets, so any pet owner needs to take precautions to protect their pet.x Fortunately, it is simple for a dedicated and responsible pet owner to avoid heartworm and keep their pets healthy.
Tips for Preventing Heartworm
As a result of a high incidence of heartworm disease, pet owners’ best course of action is to prevent their pets from becoming infected. In the first instance, consult with your veterinarian for a comprehensive evaluation to determine whether your pet has been infected with the virus.
Also, seek advice on the most effective preventative measures based on your pet’s age, overall health, and surrounding conditions. Facilities like Chuckanut Valley Veterinary Clinic + Feline Center are available if you need to bring your pet in for treating heartworm disease.
Routine Veterinary Visits
To keep your pet’s overall health, you need to give healthy food, frequent exercise, proper grooming, and schedule regular veterinarian visits. All parasitic infections, including heartworm, can be stopped if a pet is in good condition. Additionally, you must arrange a consultation for your pet’s yearly health checkup.
The first line of defense in keeping your pet safe is regular heartworm testing, which is usually included in this type of checkup. If you need to bring your pet for a routine checkup, you can visit this website to get started.
Preventative Medication
There are many preventative medications that you can use on your pet to keep mosquitoes away and avoid heartworm disease. These medications can be administered as pills, shots, or used topically. Prevention is far more effective and less expensive than treatment if your dog is diagnosed with heartworm illness.
However, keep in mind that preventives are not intended to kill the adult worm. Some may cause considerable complications if given to pets who currently have fully grown heartworms in their systems. Before administering the preventative medication, you must consult with your vet internist for their suggestions.
Keep Your Home Mosquito-Free
Mosquitoes can be a severe threat around your house, even if you’re unaware of them. A small quantity of stagnant water found in flower pots, empty containers left outdoors, buckets, toys, rain gutters, and low-lying places in the yard may provide mosquitoes with a breeding ground.
In addition, you can grow mosquito-repellent plants around your home in spots where your pet spends time outside, such as a dog run or the frames of your doors and windows. Lavender, basil, mint, geraniums, sage, rosemary, lemon balm, citronella, catnip, and marigolds are effective choices.
Outdoor Bug Control
Keeping bugs out of your lawn is critical if you want to keep them away from your pets. Using a pesticide spray on your yard can be the best alternative for you, but make sure you choose a pet-friendly product and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, use it with caution and spray the locations where pets and kids won’t be exposed.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the best preventive method is to conduct many actions simultaneously to guarantee that your pet gets the most effective protection available. Heartworm can be a frightening disease for pet owners to hear. However, with good prevention and diligent veterinarian care, it does not have to be a deadly diagnosis for your pets.
