You’ve just purchased a new puppy and are worried about puppy heartworm. Here are some tips to prevent infection. If you have ever been concerned about your pup’s health, you’ve probably heard that heartworm is very serious. If you suspect your puppy has heartworm, he or she should be vaccinated immediately. Your puppy should also be regularly checked for other health problems, such as fleas and ticks.
The best way to prevent your puppy from contracting heartworm is to prevent it in the first place. Puppy heartworm is a serious issue, and can lead to a dog’s early death. Fortunately, there are medications for this disease. Several medications are available, including tablets and topical liquids. Although they’re expensive, heartworm medications can prevent infections from getting worse. Your puppy may only need to be on heartworm medication for a few weeks.
Some puppy heartworm preventive medications will come with a flea control solution. If you don’t feel comfortable administering the heartworm medication on your own, talk to your vet. Many heartworm medicines for dogs can cause side effects, so it’s best to consult a veterinarian before administering the medication. However, some medications can also interact with other drugs, so it’s important to know which ones won’t cause any negative side effects for your dog.
If your dog is infected with heartworm, the first step is to identify the mosquito that carried the larvae. A mosquito feeds on the adult heartworm, and if the mosquito is exposed to the dog’s blood, it picks up the microfilariae. The microfilariae develop into the infective larvae within a matter of weeks or months. These worms then enter their new host through the mosquito bite wound.
The best time to test your puppy for heartworm is when it is at least seven months old. Most puppies don’t show signs of heartworm for the first few months of life. The earliest signs of heartworm are most likely to be present in active dogs. Some other signs may include persistent cough, exercise intolerance, and liver enlargement. Your veterinarian may also notice abnormal lung sounds or a heart murmur. A veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate preventative medicine for your puppy.
Your veterinarian may recommend treatment for your puppy all year round to protect your pet from this disease. However, since mosquitoes are less active during the winter months, most pet owners treat their dogs for heartworm only half the year. As a result, you risk your puppy developing complications and death. The American Heartworm Society recommends a comprehensive treatment for your dog year-round to avoid any complications. Even if you don’t think your dog has heartworm disease, you should treat it right away.
The best way to prevent puppy heartworm is to keep it indoors. It is best to keep your puppy indoors and away from areas where mosquitoes thrive. It’s also important to keep your puppy away from contaminated areas. If you move him to an area where heartworms are less prevalent, your puppy’s chances of infection increase dramatically. This is because mosquitoes carry the heartworm larvae, which reproduce inside the body.