Veterinarians Near By Me | Is Heartworm Disease Curable?
It is extremely important for pet owners to protect their pet against heartworm according to veterinarians near by me. Because it is a disease that is often fatal in animals.
However, it is also extremely preventable. By taking medication on a regular basis. Medication can protect dogs and cats from developing heartworm. And is only required to be administered once every month.
Heartworm medication can come in 2 formats. An oral format that is tasty for the animal to eat. And tastes like a treat, often with the flavoured of beef or pork.
While for some animals who have had gastrointestinal problems eating the medication. There is a topical type. That pet owners can administer to their pets for. In order to protect them against heartworm.
However, many people want to ask their veterinarians near by me. How the medication treats their dog and cat. The medication works by killing heartworm larva that have infected the dog or cat within the previous 1 or 2 months.
Since dogs and cats can only develop heartworm by being bitten by an infected mosquito. Even if a dog or cat gets bitten by a mosquito after taking the medication. That medication will kill the larva when they are still young.
However, this medication will not work to protect an animal. If they have heartworm’s already. Or if the larva have been in their system for longer than 2 months at a time.
This is why it is very important for pet owners to make an appointment with veterinarians near by me. In order to get a blood test. That can test for antigens, which are released by adult female heartworm parasites into the animal’s bloodstream.
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Or, in cats the test is used to find antibodies. Which is a chemical the cats body creates. In response to the foreign object in their bloodstream, the heartworm larva.
If the larva is present in the cat’s bloodstream. Or if the antigens are present. That will require veterinarians near by me administering the treatment to the animal.
This is extremely important to note. That the treatment will not outright kill the heartworm’s. All it will do is significantly shorten their lifespan.
And since heartworm’s can live for 5 to 7 years in dogs. And 2 to 3 years in cats. Pet owners need to understand that when there pet undergoes this treatment.
It will not kill the heartworm’s immediately. And their pet will most likely have to live with them for another 2 to 4 years before they die.
Not only that, but the treatment will also have negative effects on the animal. Because the treatment for killing heartworm’s off. Is a very harsh drug that contains arsenic.
That while it will cause the heartworm’s to die over time. It can also be very risky for the animal to take. And can make them sick.
It is a much better scenario for pet owners to understand how important it is to prevent heartworm’s that it is to treat them. Which is why pet owners should find out about preventative medicine sooner rather than later.
Veterinarians Near By Me | Is Heartworm Disease Curable?
Even though heartworm disease can be curable says veterinarians near by me. The treatment is very harsh. Which is why prevention is the best treatment of all.
The only way that an animal can get infected with heartworm larva. Is by being bitten by an infected mosquito. And how a mosquito gets infected. Is by biting an infected animal.
As the mosquito fills up with blood, they ingest that blood in order to lay their eggs. And since the blood contains heartworm larva called dirofilaria.
The eggs they lay will contain larva that are already infected with heartworm larva. As the mosquitoes hatch and grow into adults. They will contain heartworm larva within themselves.
And as they bite healthy animals. The animals will become infected with heartworm larva in their bloodstream. Where they will grow in 6 to 7 months into adults.
Where they can infect the heart and lungs of the hosts. And they will continue to grow larger in size. And procreate. Causing more larva to grow and infect their blood.
Because of this cycle. It is recommended that pet owners engage in preventative medicine. Because not only will it protect them 100% against developing heartworm disease.
It will also ensure that mosquitoes that bite there animal. Will not go on to create infected mosquitoes to perpetuate the cycle.
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However, many pet owners may not know that there is preventative medicine. Or may think that the medicine will not be affordable, especially as it must be taken on a monthly basis.
However, not only is the medication hundred percent effective. The entire year those. Will cost anywhere between $40-$80 depending on the size of the animal.
However, if the animal has already been infected with heartworm. Before they start taking treatment. The medication will not protect them from these heartworm larva they already have.
Which is why it is very important for pet owners to get a blood test from veterinarians in order to detect if they have this larva present or not.
The blood test is very non invasive. And that veterinarians will only require 3 drops of blood. Pet owners can sign a waiver. Authorizing their veterinarian to take the blood.
And since the testing can be done right on site. Pet owners will find out within the same appointment. If there animal has this parasite or not.
If not, pet owners can start preventative medicine right away. And if they are testing positive for heartworm. The treatment will be much more successful. Since they are catching it early. And before the dog or cat starts exhibiting symptoms of this disease.
Once a dog or cat starts showing signs of being infected by heartworm. Pet owners need to get there animal into veterinarians immediately. Because their organs may shut down quickly.
Pet owners should protect their animals by preventative medicine. But also, heartworm is treatable, as long as it is detected on time.