When your veterinarian recommends heartworm medicine for dogs it’s not wise to dismiss the advice as something you can do later. Heartworm prevention can save the life of your pet and eliminate the need for harsh, expensive treatments in the future. Heartgard is the original and perhaps most recognized form of heartworm prevention in canines. A beef flavored wafer given to your pet monthly is cost effective and an important part of caring for the health of your pet.

The worms do not only affect your dog’s heart but can lodge in the lungs, kidneys and liver and damage those vital organs. The long thread-like worms are spread by mosquitoes when they bite your pet and grow to maturity inside your dog’s body. Within two weeks of being infected, your dog’s blood can be drawn by mosquitoes and used to infect other animals.

Heartworms grow to maturity in about six months and cannot survive unless they pass through a mosquito. Hot, humid climates are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and not surprisingly also have the highest incidence of heartworm disease in dogs. However, the disease is diagnosed in canines in 50 states.

A dog can be infected with heartworm multiple times from different mosquitoes. Mature heartworms migrate to the heart of a dog and can live there for up to seven years. Dogs can have heartworms present without a diagnosis of heartworm disease as the disease is caused by adult heartworms that have invaded the heart of the animal.

Heartworms clog the arteries and the animal’s heart must work harder to circulate blood. Pulmonary hypertension results when the right side of the animal’s heart must push blood through blocked arteries. A strong heart can work harder and keep the blood moving but eventually the heart muscle begins to weaken as the muscle thickens. Arrythmia can result and led to death.

If the heart is weakened, fluids build up in the abdominal cavity and in the chest. Dogs will have difficulty breathing and appear to have distended bellies. Untreated heartworm disease causes other problems, too. The heartworms stimulate an immune response in the animal and the natural buildup of antibodies can cause inflammation in eyes, joints and kidneys causing pain and damaging membranes.

A crisis can occur when a dog with a high number of heartworms has not exhibited symptoms until the disease has progressed to a life threatening crisis. Heartworms can fill the right side of the heart and then expand into the veins feeding the heart. This is known as Caval Syndrome where the heartworm disease is not apparent until the dog goes into shock and collapses. The only treatment is emergency surgery that can hopefully remove excessive heartworms with a clamp inserted through the jugular vein. With surgery, the animal may survive. Without surgery, death usually occurs within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Heartworm disease can be prevented by following your veterinarian’s recommendation for preventive heartworm medicine for dogs. Sentinel and Heartgard are tasty and accepted by dogs as a treat once a month. Revolution is topical spot on treatment that prevents heartworms as well as fleas. These pet meds are by prescription only but can be purchased at reputable online pet sites at reasonable prices. Your dog can be protected from heartworm disease for as little as $10 a month.

Preventive heartworm medicine for dogs guarantees your dog will never have to undergo heartworm treatment that leaves him weakened for weeks. Buy the most effective heartworm prevention meds at http://www.petscriptsdirect.com .