The Benefits of Administering Heartgard for Dogs
Most dogs like to go to different places and interact with other dogs and this can cause them to catch certain kinds of diseases and infections. Since they are just animals, their immune system is all they have to shield them from these diseases. We, as their owners, are the ones responsible of ensuring that they are guarded against anything that can cause them harm. The heartworm disease is one of the most common types of diseases dogs encounter and by administering Heartgard for dogs, you can protect your pet from this fatal disease.
Heartworm is a parasite that can be acquired through mosquito bites. Its scientific name is Dirofilariaimmitis and it does not only infect dogs but also animals like cats, foxes, and sea lions. This parasite stays in the pulmonary artery of its host and it can migrate to the right part of the heart and invade other blood vessels. Full grown heartworms are very dangerous because they can affect the proper functioning of the heart and the entire circulatory system. Blood flow can be hindered, an event which fatal for your pet. The infestation of heartworm can be difficult to detect and most of the symptoms appear only when the disease is already severe. Moreover, the symptoms are very general and they can be mistaken as a symptom of another disease. Hence, prevention is very important and you can do this by having your dog checked by a veterinarian regularly and by giving it prescriptions that can immediately kill heartworm larvae and even those that are fully grown already.
Heartgard is one of the most effective treatments against heartworms and the manufacturers made sure that your dog will like it by incorporating beef flavor into it. These chewable tablets are given once a month so you need not spend a large amount of money in buying supplies of this product. There are different varieties of this drug depending on the weight of your dog; the normal dose of Heartgard for dogs weighing 25 lbs is 57 mg, for dogs weighing 26-50 lbs is 114 mg, and for dogs that are between 51-100 lbs, 227 mg.
Keep in mind that consultation with the veterinarian is needed before giving this drug. Heartgard generally works for all dogs but allergic reactions must be considered. You should also be careful not to give amounts higher than what the veterinarian prescribed as over dosage can lead to undesirable side effects. In case you forgot to give your dog its dosage for a particular month, do not give it two tablets for the following month because it can lead to over dosage. Another thing that you should remember is to break Heartgard into pieces before feeding it to your dog; it should never be swallowed whole. Proper storage of this drug must be observed; keep it away from children and pets. It is very rare that heartworms can affect humans but it is always best to practice good hygiene. Always wash your hands before and after feeding your dog. Fleas and other external parasites should also be removed from your pet’s fur before giving Heartgard for dogs.
Related search terms for this article:
