As warmer weather fast approaches, this welcome time of the year means an increase in disease-carrying insects. Unfortunately, man’s best friend is also at an increased risk for heartworm as temperatures rise.
The American Heartworm Society states that heartworm is more common in states close to the Atlantic and Gulf coastal regions. However, they stress that heartworm is prevalent in all 50 states, regardless of climate. In further studies conducted by the society, some of these coastal states have as many as 8-10% of dogs testing positive at veterinary clinics.
Don’t let your pet be part of those statistics. Instead, protect your pet from this deadly disease through monthly heartworm medications.
What Is Heartworm?
Heartworm, also known as Dirofilaria immitis, is a type of parasite that can attack your dog’s heart and cause irreparable damage if left untreated. Though not actual worms, heartworms look like worms once they reach maturity inside your dog, where they continue to mate and reproduce inside your pet if left untreated.
How Do Dogs Get Heartworm?
Heartworms occur when mosquitoes carrying heartworm larvae bite your dog. These microscopic larvae enter your pet’s bloodstream and travel up to the heart and other parts of the cardiovascular system, where they grow to adulthood within seven months. Because of this, your dog may not show symptoms until the heartworms have already matured and reproduced.
According to the FDA, if left untreated, heartworm disease will continue to spread and damage your dog’s heart, where it will then spread to the lungs, liver, and kidney before causing death.
How to Tell If My Dog Has Heartworms?
If your dog has heartworms, you might notice any of these signs:
- A persistent cough
- Fatigue from minimal physical activity
- A lower appetite
- Weight loss
Symptoms of heartworm disease in its late stages include a swollen stomach and cardiovascular collapse, which includes labored breathing, light-colored gums, and red or brown-colored urine. This cardiovascular heart failure is known as canine caval syndrome.
Monthly Heartworm Medications for Dogs
A monthly heartworm medication can protect your dog from heartworm. Dogs are prone to heartworm in the warmer seasons, when mosquitoes are at their peak, but if you live in a warm climate, your pet might be at risk of getting heartworm year-round.
That’s why veterinarian professionals recommend a monthly treatment plan for your dog to ensure no mosquito bites will cause infection.
Here are our most popular heartworm medications for dogs:
Heartgard Plus Chewables for Dogs
This monthly tablet comes in a pack of 6 and is designed to kill heartworms and treat hookworms in dogs ages 6 weeks and up. Dogs love the real beef flavor of these chewable tablets, making it easy to administer. Choose between three different sizes and a 6 or 12-month supply to make sure your pet receives the correct dosage year-round.
Trifexis Chewable Tablets for Dogs
Another popular monthly chewable for preventing heartworms in dogs is Trifexis’s multipurpose tablets. These tablets are for dogs ages 8 weeks and up who are at least 5 pounds. This tablet is effective at killing fleas, preventing heartworms, and treating and controlling an assortment of other parasites that affect dogs. With five different sizes and four different monthly supply options, your dog’s heart health is easier to manage.
Sentinel Flavor Tabs for Dogs
This tablet is for pups 4 weeks and up. It is used to help prevent heartworms and fleas and control adult hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. Sentinel also comes in a delicious beef flavor, as well as four different sizes for dogs of different weights to ensure your pet gets the right dosage. You can select either a 6 or 12-month supply.
Revolution for Dogs
If your dog is unable to chew a tablet, then we recommend a monthly, topical heartworm medication like Revolution, which is applied to your pet’s skin. This liquid medication is FDA-approved to prevent heartworm and fleas. In addition, it also helps control and treat American dog ticks, sarcoptic mange, and ear mites. Revolution comes in six different sizes and a 3 or 6-month supply.
Order Heartworm Medication Online
A monthly heartworm medication is the best way to keep your dog safe from heartworms. To purchase heartworm medications, you will need to contact your dog’s veterinarian, where they will test your dog for heartworms and then write up a prescription.
Once you have the prescription, it’s easy to order heartworm medications online here at Allivet. Simply proceed to the checkout, where you can enter your pet’s information. We will contact your dog’s veterinarian to confirm the prescription and send your dog’s heartworm medicine as soon as possible.
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