Side Effects of Heartworm Treatment in Dogs
Heartworm disease should not be ignored because it can be fatal. Dogs need not experience this disease because it can be avoided through preventative medications, proper diet and hygiene.
However, there are pet owners who do not practice these simple precautions. This may be because some pet owners do not know the effects of heartworms on their dogs. But ignorance is no excuse because it is the owner's responsibility to be informed of what can affect their pets' health.
And there are also some owners who know the effects of heartworms but take it for granted because they simply rely on treatments. But this is not advisable because treatments cannot guarantee that your dog will not get heartworm disease again. Keep in mind that it takes only a single bite from an infected mosquito for your dog to receive heartworm larvae to restart the cycle.
In addition, the preferred treatment by vets has unpleasant side effects on dogs. This treatment uses Immiticide, the only drug currently available which kills adult heartworms. This drug is injected twice into the dog's lower back area; after being injected the most common side effects include:
- pain or swelling at the injection site
- depression and inactivity
So, to prevent your dogs from getting heartworms, it is wise to know about the disease and how to avoid it. One way to do so is to give your dog a proper diet. Dogs with proper diets have stronger immune systems to fight diseases. It is also a good idea to keep them clean. When they are kept clean, insects and other parasites will least likely attack them. Also, mosquitoes will not thrive in a clean area. To further ensure that there will be no need for treatment and to avoid its side effects, ask your vet what heartworm preventative medication is best suited for your dog. With these precautions in place, the threat of heartworm disease is minimized and your dog can live a longer and more enjoyable life. Isn't this what you want for your canine friend?