subject: Heartgard Plus Merial Medication [print this page] Heartgard Plus Merial Medication Heartgard Plus Merial Medication
Heartgard is a heartworm preventive medication for dogs and cats that come in the form of chewable. Heartworm can be transferred from one dog to another thorough blood carried by mosquitoes. The blood of infected dog contains large number of microfilariae which, when injected in healthy dogs, develop and take the form of larvae. When the larva grows, it becomes heartworm that resides in the right side of the heart and the large blood vessels running between heart and lungs. Heartgard prevents the growth of microfilariae and stops dirofilarias. This helps in curing the dog that has contracted the disease.
How do I know if my dog is infected with heartworm?
It is very difficult to get a hint of the infection if the disease is in its developing stages. However if your dog is found to be suffering from cough, difficulty in breathing, sluggishness and tired all the time, consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. These symptoms are directly linked to heart, lungs, and other internal organs that are causing the symptoms. In severe cases the dog may faint. The veterinarian would need to take a blood sample to check for the presence of heartworm infection and perform test at laboratories to confirm the presence of heartworm antigen. The veterinarian night also need to perform other tests to confirm the presence of infection.
When and how to give Heartgard to the dog?
As it is not certain when the dog would be infected with mosquito bite, you may talk to your veterinarian to start the medication as a preventive measure. However if the dog has already been infected the treatment is very difficult and risky if the dog has already started to show the clinical symptoms of heartworm.
Heartgard is available in the form of chewable for dogs. They can be directly fed in to the mouth of the dog. The dosage depends on the extent of the infection and should be decided by the veterinarian. Make sure you consult your veterinarian in case you suspect heartworm or if you choose to start your dog with the medication.
Treatment methodology using Heartgard
After having confirmed that the dog has contracted the infection and that the worm presence is there in the major arteries of the god, your doctor might ask to admit the dog in hospital. Heartgard Heartworm Medication would kill the worm and there is a risk of blood clot or the blood vessels of the dog being blocked due to the dead remains of the worm. Along with the cleaning of the adult the medication also takes care of the growing larvae in the blood stream. The entire treatment may take anywhere between 4-6 weeks for the entire treatment to complete.
Precautions to take while using Heartgard
Monitor the health of dog during the treatment. Ensure that that the dog takes the entire dose as recommended by the doctor. Talk to your doctor and check if hospitalization is required as should be pursued if needed. There is very little that can be done to prevent the heartworm disease in pets as that would require ensuring that the habitat of your pet is free of mosquitoes or would require to actively monitoring the blood for heartworm infection.
