by Rhonda Buffington

Created on: November 16, 2010   Last Updated: November 17, 2010

Your dog gets infected with heartworms through a mosquito bite. The parasites enter the bloodstream as larvae and travel to the heart. Approximately six months after reaching the heart, the larvae turn into adults. They heartworm continue to multiply and eventually block the flow of blood to the lungs as well as constricting the hearts passages. 

The most common form of heartworm treatment is a monthly pill such as Heartgard or Interceptor. However, pet owners who practice holistic care give a pill every six weeks, instead of four. Giving this monthly pill will prevent your dog from getting infected with heartworms, it is not without risks. These drugs contain chemical insecticides. Administered over time, the toxic side effects may become a serious health danger.

Possible side effects include loss of appetite, diarrhea, depression, thyroid problems, autoimmune disorders, liver problems, aggressive behavior, vomiting, fever, paralysis, coughing, weakness, tremors, seizures, skin eruptions, dizziness, difficulty breathing, irritability, pneumonia, fertility problems and sudden death.

Some pet owners use herbs for preventative heartworm treatment. Personally, I am not comfortable with the possible side effects from conventional treatment using the heartworm pills. I have been using Black Walnut and Wormwood as a heartworm preventative since 2006. One of the dogs I rescued was heartworm positive and I couldn’t afford the treatment, nor did I want to give her arsenic.

After searching the Internet, I found information about using herbs to cure heartworms. I spoke with my veterinarian and he told me he heard about one study where the herbs were successful and another study said it didn’t work. The vet told me that she probably had around 50 and it couldn’t hurt to try. After six months on the herbs, I took her in for a heartworm test. She was still positive. I continued the herbs for another six or seven months and the next test was negative! That convinced me just how powerful herbs can be.

If the state you live in doesn’t have mosquitoes year round, speak to your vet about taking your dog off the pills for a couple of months. It takes approximately six months for microfilaria to mature into adult heartworms. Some alternative veterinarians believe that stopping the drug for a few months would still kill the various stages when starting the drug again.

Keeping your pet parasite free requires a good quality pet food. Focus on strengthening their pet’s resistance through feeding all-natural foods to help keep the immune system strong. If you don’t have time to make your dogs food at home, there are some commercial dog foods that are free of additives and preservatives.

Many “alternative veterinarians” believe that diseases such as skin allergies, liver disease, kidney disease, arthritis and degenerative problems are connected to the long-term use of heartworm prevention drugs.

Garlic is an herb that repels mosquitoes, strengthens the immune system and cleanses the blood. In comments from veterinarians from the book: New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 at-Home Solutions for Your Pet's Problems Dr. Mona Boudreaux, D.V.M. says, “Dogs over 50 pounds can have as much as two teaspoons a day, and smaller dogs can have ¼ to ½ teaspoon a day. Garlic should not be given to cats.

It is up to you whether you choose to use the monthly pill or herbs for heartworm preventive, but it is important that you use something. No matter what your choice, talk to your veterinarian for guidance.

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