Update: 31 October 2024

Heartworm Prevention

Author: Julie Casper, C. Ac.

Heartworm disease is an infestation of parasitic nematodes, commonly known as roundworms (Dirofilaria immitis). They reach the dog's heart and the blood vessels of the lungs after receiving a mosquito bite which injects the parasite. Once heartworms mature, they can cause a range of symptoms, from minor coughs to more serious right-sided heart failure — and can be fatal.

Heartworm Life Cycle

Heartworm disease is caused by a mosquito bite. A better understanding of this parasite will help you to appreciate the value of prevention.

  1. First, a mosquito will bite an animal that is infected by heartworm (this could be a fox, wolf, coyote, dog or cat, or something else).
  2. As the mosquito feeds off the animal, it ingests the infected heartworm microfilaria.
  3. Microfilaria mature for approximately 2-weeks depending temperature (cold slows down larvae maturation).
  4. While still in the mosquito, microfilaria continue to develop into an infective stage.
  5. At this point, the mosquito bites your dog and transfers the infected larvae.
  6. The heartworm continues to develop as it works its way towards the heart. Typically reaching adult stage after several months.
  7. A heartworm can live (and reproduce) inside of your dog, for years.
  8. Heathworm disease creates all manner of canine health havock.

Conventional Veterinary Protocol

Adulticide therapy is a common treatment for heartworm. Adulticide therapy uses an insecticide to target mature adult roundworms. Heartworm medication may be recommended for continued treatment at home. In more serious cases, a long period of hospitalization may be necessary. In dogs with Caval Syndrome (Dirofilarial Hemoglobinuria), a surgical procedure (Heartworm Embolectomy) may be recommended to remove the adult roundworms from the heart and pulmonary artery. This surgical extraction is performed through the jugular vein and should be used only in the most severe cases.

In many endemic regions, heartworm medications are routinely prescribed as a preventative measure, with or without indication of the presence of the parasites in the canine. These medications can cause harm and even death

Preventive Protocol

Prevention is the focus at Animal Elite. Parasites can only survive (and thrive) in a host with a weakened or compromised immune system. A resilient dog requires a species appropriate diet, adequate exercise, and healthy metabolic and immune system function. If a dog's body becomes a welcoming host to heartworms, it is primarily due to an inadequate immune system response. Common causes of immune dysfunction include metabolic imbalances and heavy metal toxicity. We can help you provide your dog with optimal nutrition, targeted supplementation, and health-supporting lifestyle suggestions. Working together, we can prevent a heartworm infestation in the first place. Prevention is the best, and least costly option.

Complementary Support for Veterinary Therapy

If you are already working with your vet, we provide complementary support to augment conventional veterinary therapy. This includes Canine hTMA. If high toxicity levels or metabolic dysfunction indicators are present, we will recommend specific nutritional supplementation to correct the problems. The main objective of our complementary-care recommendations is to fortify your animal's metabolic and immune system function — making your canine an undesirable host to all types of parasites.

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