Get Rid of Heart Worms
While dogs are known for their ability to protect and love, their "big hearts" are also the ideal place for heart worms. All it takes is a bite from an infected mosquito for the heart worm larvae to enter the bloodstream and wiggle their way into a dog's heart. Once there, the larvae mature into adult worms that lodge themselves in a dog's heart and lungs, growing as long as 12 inches, mating and releasing offspring into the blood.
Instructions
Steps To Getting Rid Of Heart Worms
1. Get a physical examination from a veterinary doctor if you suspect heart worms. Some visible symptoms, according to the American Heartworm Society include, coughing, abnormal lung sounds and abnormal lung sounds. If you notice your dog is not as physical as before, appears dizzy or has troubles breathing, a veterinarian can do a blood test and physical exam to assess and treat your dog's condition.
2. Use mosquito-repelling products outdoors and vet-approved products directly on your dog to discourage mosquito bites. An insect repellent that is safe for animals and effective can be found in pet-friendly stores, like PetCo.
3. Prevent this situation from happening (or repeating), as recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association, by giving your dog a heartworm preventative medication. There are several FDA-approved formulations on the market that your dog's veterinarian can recommend. Preventatives do not kill existing heart worms, so a blood test is recommended before starting preventatives.
4. Medicate your dog with the heart worm medication your veterinarian recommends. There are two general categories of medicines to get rid of heart worms: adulticide for the adult worms and microfilaricide for the larvae, according to the American Heartworm Society.
5. Check for post-adulticide complications like severe pulmonary thromboembolism by observing your dog for fever, cough and hemoptysis (blood in the sputum). Another complication following adulticide treatment may be infection from the dead worms in the lungs and blood. In case of an infection, the American Heartworm Society recommends medicating your dog with veterinarian-approved anti-inflammatory corticosteroids.
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