symptoms of heartworm in canines

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Symptoms of Heartworm in Canines Are Hard to Detect

Symptoms of heartworm in canines can be hard to detect.  They are usually not recognized until the disease is advanced, which is a big problem because this disease attacks the heart and other vital organs. 

When the dog is bitten by a mosquito with this infection the larvae gets into the dog's bloodstream and makes its way to the heart, where the parasites develop into adulthood.  First the heartworms will attack the heart organ, and then the lungs and the liver.  When these organs get filled with parasites they stop working correctly, and cause intense pain to the dog.

Symptoms of Heartworm in Canines include Coughing

The most notable symptom of canine heartworm is a dry cough that the dog will develop when the parasites start traveling from the heart to the lungs. The lung and the veins around it get irritated with the growing number of heartworms and this is what causes this cough. However, since cough is a common illness, it does not necessarily point to heartworm.

Another symptom of heartworm in canines is lethargy. Dogs with heartworm will start becoming resistant to physical activity and prefer to stay in a corner. This is because their internal organs have been damaged and they cannot be as active as before.

It is Much Better to Prevent Canine Heartworm than to Treat It

It is much safer to prevent canine heartworm than to treat it. Since the symptoms of canine heartworm are so elusive, your dog might die without much warning. Even if the heartworm is diagnosed, it is usually found at an advanced stage and your dog has already suffered damage to his vital organs.

Conventional prevention of canine heartworm consists of giving a pill to your dog usually once a month. These pills contain insecticides and do not actually prevent heartworm, but kill the baby heartworms if your dog got infected.

This medication is very damaging to your dog and over time will affect his liver and kidneys. The animal has to work so hard to get rid of the toxins of this medication that it severely damages his immune system, affecting his ability to fight off other illnesses and infections as they come in contact with bacteria in our environment.

Statistics of Conventional Heartworm Prevention

From eSSortment
"DEC (diethylcarbamazine) tablets are given on a daily basis to dogs with no microfilaria. Side effects include headaches, malaise, nausea, and weakness, but in general DEC is considered safe and reliable."

"Ivermectin is the active ingredient in once-a-month heartworm preventives for dogs and cats, and they do not have to be heartworm-free to start taking it. However, severe adverse reactions have been reported in Collies and Collie mixes as well as other dogs. Milder reactions are stomach and intestinal upset, irritability, and stiffness."

"Although heartworm preventive medicine is very effective, it also carries significant risks. The American Veterinary Medical Association has found that 65% of all reported drug reactions and 48% of all reported deaths in pets are caused by heartworm preventives."

Prevent Symptoms of Canine Heartworm with Natural Home Remedies

The key to your dog's improved health and wellbeing is to treat him with natural home remedies. Take charge of your pet's health care. Don't treat him with synthetic chemicals which are shortening his life.

There are hundreds of home remedies which you can use to heal your pet. You probably have many of these in your house already. Not only will you be taking better care of your dog, but you will be saving thousands of dollars in veterinary bills.

If you give your dog a proper diet and follow some simple suggestions, you can build your dog's immune system so that he can naturally fight off infections and illnesses, instead of treating him with medications that are severely damaging his organs and shortening his life.

You know your dog better than anyone else. Take charge of his health. It may be the best decision you could make for your dog.

Click the link below and to get the best pet home remedies guide to care for your dog.

Prevent Symptoms of Heartworm in Canines and More

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM knows everything about caring for our pets the natural, safe way! Here is what he has to say:

Veterinary Secrets Revealed allows dog and cat owners to care for and treat their pets on their own. It doesn't matter what category your pet's problem fall under...

* Diseases and Illnesses, such as cancer, usually treated with conventional medications that make your pet feel worse rather than better.
* Ailments like back spasms or arthritis that reduce your pet's ability to enjoy favorite activities.
* Behavior problems like aggression that can lead to dangerous situations in and outside your home.

Veterinary Secrets Revealed will provide all the information you need to keep your pet healthy or to improve the health of your sick pet.

And, Veterinary Secrets Revealed does it without medical jargon, without complicated procedures, and without an eye on the pharmaceutical companies' bottom line (yes, we Vets face the same pressures as human doctors.)

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crissanteiro

I treat my dogs with natural home remedies. I love my dogs and want to assure that they get my best care and are not being treated with harmful chemic... more »

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