WHO DISCOVERED HEARTWORM

My research has been unable to discover the person created with who discovered heartworm. The first case of heartworm in dogs was reported in The Western Journal of Medicine and Surgery in 1847. Feline heartworms cases were first reported in the United States in the 1920’s after have been discovered in Brazil earlier.

We will discuss heartworms in dogs and treatment options including alternative natural methods of prevention. Treating heartworms does not have to produce harmful side effects in our pets which many pets get from taking traditional heartworm medications. You are smart enough to know that prevention is much easier on our pets than treatment after they contracted heartworms. Imagine being able to treat heartworms and save some money in the process.

WHAT CAUSES HEARTWORMS IN OUR PETS

Heartworms are caused in our pets when our pets are bitten by mosquitoes which have become infected with heartworms from biting other infected animals.  A number of animals can be host to heartworms. They include dogs, cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, ferrets, sea lions and even humans.  When the infected mosquito bites our pets the mosquito deposits larvae into the skin of our pets. The larvae are from the parasitic roundworm known as dirofilaria immitis. The larvae migrate to the heart and within 6 months they hatch or transform into worms that look like pieces of thread. The heartworms can be found in the chambers of the heart and in the two main arteries leading to the heart (Pulmonary artery and vena cava). From there they move to other parts of the body including the lungs and liver.

HEARTWORM SEASON

Heartworm season runs from one month before mosquito season until one month following mosquito season.

Traditional treatment of heartworms use veterinarian prescribed medicines that contain insecticides which are used to kill off heartworm larvae in our pets to prevent the heartworm larvae from hatching into adult heartworms which is what does the damage to our pets.

SIDE EFFECTS FROM HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE MEDICATIONS

Side effects from use of heartworm preventative medications include diarrhea, convulsions, vomiting and general tiredness or weakness. Your pet’s body recognizes the chemicals in the heartworm pills as poison and uses their immune systems to try and fight off what they see as foreign bodies. Therefore, when on these medications your pets will have weakened immune systems which allow your pet to get sick easier.

Now let’s look at some safer options that do not produce harmful side effects. It really doesn’t matter who discovered heartworm. What matters is protecting our pets against heartworms.

ALTERNATIVE PREVENTION FOR HEARTWORMS

Because many veterinarians now recognize that long term use of preventative medications can cause side effects in our pets many people are turning to alternative methods to prevent heartworms. The methods will help overall but you should discuss using them with your vet.

• Provide a healthy diet. Many people are now avoiding commercial pet food and feeding their pets natural vegetables, fruits, and raw meat
• Boost your pet’s immune system
• Strengthen your pet’s heart and circulatory system
• In areas where heartworms are prevalent think about regular de-worming
• Black walnut extract and garlic are also being used as preventatives
• Prevention is much cheaper than treatment at the vet’s office

For other great information on pet illnesses and home remedies read on thru the last paragraph and click on the links. Great secrets await that will help with caring for your pets and saving mega bucks on vet bills.