A heartworm is a parasitic roundworm which is spread primarily by mosquitoes.  It is an internal parasite, which makes it much more dangerous for a pet than an external parasite like fleas or ticks. Puppies are especially susceptible to infection and secondary problems related to the heartworms.  A severe case may inhibit a puppy’s physical development when the parasites leach nutrients from the food the puppy eats. 

Children are of special concern when a pet has heartworms because some variants of the parasite may be transferred between humans and animals.  Make sure children wash their hands completely after  petting a dog, especially a dog with an unknown health history.  When interacting with a puppy outside or taking him for a walk, take care to avoid areas with other animals and ensure the pup doesn’t get too curious about dog feces it may encounter.  If a puppy ingests feces from an infected dog, it may develop heartworms.  

Preventing heartworms

Heartworms are a potentially fatal condition if left untreated. The parasites settle in the heart and lungs of an affected animal and may cause severe health problems. Since they are primarily transferred by mosquitoes and other parasitic insects, pet owners need to be vigilant during warmer months or if they live in areas which experience higher temperatures or humidity levels.

As with other pet parasites, the best course of action is to prevent infestation before it happens.  Taking steps to avoid heartworms is much easier than getting rid of them once they have made a home in a pet.  Fortunately, preventing heartworms is very easy, and relatively inexpensive.  Below are two great ways to protect a dog from this horrible condition.  A good vet can help chose the best treatment option.

1. A veterinarian can provide you with a daily medication, usually in pill form, which will protect dogs from heartworms.  Pills are available in both chewable and non-chewable forms, the former may be easier to administer.  The medication must be given every day to ensure non-stop protection, and the daily pills are somewhat less effective than the once-per-month medication described below, especially if owners do not remember to administer the medication every day.

2. Once-per-month heartworm prevention medications are slightly more expensive than the daily dose, but it may be easier for a pet owner to only worry about medicating the dog once a month instead of every day.   The dosage is based on weight, so speak to a veterinarian to get a prescription for the correct medication.