Cheap Pet Insurance

December 19th, 2008 by Cindy Barkley

Heartworm is a particularly dangerous parasite that is spread from host to host via mosquitoes, and Revolution cat is the most widely used flea and heartworm medicine.

A long thin worm known as filaris is commonly known to be found in dogs; many don’t realize that they can also infect other animals such as sea lions, wolves, coyotes, ferrets, cats and shockingly, humans as well.

This worm was named as such due to its habit in the final stage of its reproductive cycle to live in the heart of its host.

If left untreated, the animal will find exertion harder and may faint under physical strain or experience extreme breathlessness.

At the end, the animal can die as a result of heart failure or failure of the kidneys, lungs or liver, as the parasites can also cause damage to these vital organs.

Treatment is lengthy and can take a year and a half to complete.

Moreover, it is not pleasant on the animal, as in many cases killing the parasites involves the use of medicines containing arsenic compounds or other strong heart worm drugs. Treatment might even involve surgery.

There are no noticeable symptoms of this infection during most of the infectious period.

A dog heartworm may take 6 to 7 months to move from introduction to the animal’s system via mosquito bite, to its eventual landing in the heart.

When mature, the females can reach 30cm in length while the males tend more toward 23cm.

Mating occurs after seven months and microfilariae is produced by the females.

Though heart worms used to only affect the warmer climates in southern parts of the world, they now affect any place that is habitable for mosquitoes.

Obviously, prevention of heartworms is far simpler and more effective than treatment after infection. Revolution dog, a monthly prophylactic medication, contains selamectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic.

Revolution flea control is inexpensive, easy to dispense and very effective.

Milbemycin, which is the active ingredient in the heartworm treatment Interceptor, and moxidectin, which is the active ingredient in ProHeart, are two other heartworm preventatives.

One can treat heartworms and similar other parasites by the use of a topical application such as Revolution pet, which not only controls heartworm, but also serves to control fleas and other parasites.

Thankfully, heartworm protection is very effective, so there is no need for your pet to be negatively affected. You can consult with your vet and get them to check your pet.

Medications can prevent and cure the infection, but a blood test is the most common form of diagnosis first.

If your animal is found to be infected, an x-ray will show the extent of the damage that has been caused.

Get informed by discussing canine heartworm with your vet at your dog’s next visit.

Treatment of a heartworm infestation can exceed thousands of dollars, and may not always be effective.

Revolution for dogs makes it easy and economical to be health savvy to be proactive as you focus on flea and heartworm prevention together.