by Sophia Josephina

Created on: July 19, 2009

Imagine something 10 inches long and growing, reproducing in something the size of your fist. Reproducing that means that they are making more of themselves. As you would imagine there would be no room left for breathing or beating for that mater. This is what happens inside an animal's heart when they are infected with heartworms.

Heartworms are overly active parasites that live and grow in the heart causing the heart valves not to work properly not to mention that as the little pests grow they clog the heart leaving no room for an adequate blood supply.

Heartworms are transferred from either misquotes bites or infested stool of another animal. The eggs are ingested and make their journey into the heart and begin to develop into adult worms.

By the time you notice signs that your animal has been infected it may be too late. Signs include a persisting cough, rapid breathing, weight loss and fatigue.

These particular parasites' can be easily prevented by having your vet perform a regular blood test on your beloved dog and yes, even cats. If the test results show no signs of this horrible beast your veterinary will prescribe a preventative medicine.

Preventative medicine can include a brand called Heartgaurd which contains the active ingredient of Ivermectin and Pyrantel Pamoate.

Ivermectin is the key ingredient for preventing heartworms. This medicine paralysis then kills the young worms by interfering with their nerve transmissions.

Pyrantel Pamoate kills other worms that may also be affecting your dog such as hookworm or roundworms.

These two ingredients are not recommended for cats or puppies under 6 weeks of age.

Interceptor is another brand of medicine. Used once a month and is good for dogs and cats, even pregnant or nursing dogs can use this medicine safely.

The active ingredient is Milbemycin Oxime. Milbemycin Oxime interferes with the nasty pest's nerve transmission causing paralysis and finally death of the immature parasites.

It is usually recommended that your pet take this preventative year round, although if you live in a colder climate you can stop the medicine once mosquito season is over. Just remember to start the medicine a month before mosquitoes starts the following year.

To further prevent heartworms you may find it helpful to remove any standing water where mosquitoes like to have a party.

A natural insect repellent may just be a purple martin birdhouse. These birds can eat over a thousand mosquitoes and bugs in a day.

If your dog or cat's test result is positive for heartworms there are medicines that can be used but they could kill your loved pet. The medicines used to get rid of the already infected worms have an active ingredient of arsenic, which could make this very dangerous to your pet.

Remember not to interchange your dog and cats medicine. Some medicine for dogs is poisonous to cats and vise versa.

Learn more about this author, Sophia Josephina.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.