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Heartworm is very serious; it’s one of the worst diagnosis for your dog because it is usually fatal. However, it is very simple to prevent heartworm from ever occurring. All it takes is a pill, food additive and some preventative care. The heartworm pill can be given to your bird dogs as a treat while liquids and powders can be added to your dog’s food on a regular schedule, which will depend on the treatment type.

Heartworm Facts
Heartworm can live in the dog’s body and work its way into all major organs and tissue, and finally the heart, which is what kills the animal. Heartworm is a parasite and mosquitoes are often to blame because they carry heartworm. However, your dog can also get heartworm from other animals like foxes and coyotes.

Preventing Heartworm
Preventing is the easiest way to “treat” heartworm. As said earlier, getting protection is as easy as giving him a pill, adding something to his food, and keeping his home (and him) clean. While it’s common to treat heartworm only in the warmer months, many people have found that doing it year-round is both easier and more effective. Veterinarians agree.

Symptoms of Heartworm
The first symptom noticed by the owner is usually a loss of weight. Sometimes a lack of energy or excessive coughing is also seen as well. Once the parasite infects the dog’s lungs, coughing will become more extreme and heavier. As the parasite spreads, things will only get worse. The first few months of a heartworm infection are usually unnoticed as the heartworms are busy propagating and are not spreading to infect and cause problems yet.

Diagnosis
Typically a veterinarian will do a ‘double’ test to determine if the infection from heartworm is male or female as this does affect how it is treated. Normal heartworm tests are typically blood tests that may involve observation at the clinic. Test help determine how advanced the heartworm infection is by testing for an approximate heartworm count.

Treating Heartworm
Heartworm treatment must be started as quickly as possible to avoid your dog becoming fatally ill and even spreading the disease to other dogs he may come in contact with. Sadly, if your dog is already ill with the infestation, there is often a reduced chance of them surviving treatment. The good news is that most dogs are healthy when they’re diagnosed and treatment is successful. Many veterinarians encourage you to have annual heartworm tests with your dogs regular annual visits which means that typically this infestation doesn’t have the chance to infect your dog.

If you have other dogs or if your dog is in regular contact with other dogs and does become infected it is critical that you advise other dog owners. Since people can also contract heartworm, it’s important that if your dog is diagnosed that you contact your physician for testing as well.

While heartworm is a potentially deadly parasite, prevention is the secret to keeping your dog from contracting it. Keep in mind that health care should be one of your top priorities, but so should keeping your dog safe while training. That is why you should look into Dogtra collars for your hunting dog supplies. They are a great product which will help you keep control of your dog in the field.

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