Help Prevent Heartworms With Heartguard

Heartguard is a preventative treatment you can use for your dog to help prevent heartworm. The product is a chewable beef-flavored tablet that you can give the dog once a month. It is available in packages of six and can be used to treat small or large dogs as it is dispensed according to weight. Just to be safe, always have your veterinarian examine your dog first to make sure that the animal does not already have heartworm.

What is heartworm?

It is possible for a dog to have heartworm for six months or more before the owner even realizes that the dog is ill. It is easy to prevent and once the dog has contracted the disease it can be very expensive to treat. Heartworm is caused by the bite of a mosquito and the adult heartworm is found in the right ventricle and the nearby blood vessels of the dog's heart. The heartworm produces larvae, which spread to the animal's muscles. Some of the symptoms of heartworm in your dog are:

• Not wanting to exercise
• Loss of appetite
• Persistent coughing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Yellow gums and eyes

Heartworm is completely preventable!

However, once these symptoms present themselves the illness has progressed to the point where the dog may be near death. You should have your dog tested once a year for heartworm problems. Preventative measures should be started about a month before mosquitoes become common in your area to ensure the health of your pet. The dog will not even realize that you are treating it because it will think of the tablet as a treat.

• For more information about heartguard for dogs,
  Please visit our Buyers Guide

 

This site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Any time you give your pet a new medication it is wise to watch them for any type of unusual side effects. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, call your veterinarian immediately. Advantage® is a registered trademark of Bayer Corporation. Heartgard®, Frontline® and Top Spot® are all registered trademarks of Merial Limited. Program® and Sentinel® are registered trademarks of Novartis corporation. Etogesic® is a registered trademark of Fort Dodge Company.