Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm Dirofilaria immitis which is designed to live part of its life inside a female mosquito and the remainder inside any canine. As one dog is infected, immature worms are picked up by mosquitoes only to be passed onto another canine as they make. This means the disease can be very widespread in domesticated and wild canines, dogs, foxes, coyotes and wolves wherever mosquitoes live. The longer the mosquito season the more prevalent heartworm disease is.
Although heartworm have evolved to co-exist with dogs they often survive in cats too. As the disease becomes more favorite in the dog population, more mosquitoes carry the larvae and pass them onto other animals including cats.
Over the last twenty years, as preventative heartworm medicine has become more available more dog owners take the FDA recommended precaution of regularly giving pets such a product. Until very recently very runt research had been carried out into how common heartworm disease is for cats. It seems that feline asthma and bronchitis, relatively common diagnosis's for cats with breathing problems may actually have been misdiagnosed cases of heartworm disease. As cats are not the traditional host, they do not show all the same symptoms or even signs of the disease as dogs. Often there are no larvae in the blood stream which is the simplest scheme to test for the problem, and the adult worms may congregate in the lungs or other organs as opposed to the heart.
Estimates for the number of cats infected with heartworm disease vary wildly but all concerned bodies such as the Heartworm Society, FDA and Veterinary Associations agree the problem is growing. Some cats will fight off infections relatively easily, while the next may suddenly die from only one adult heartworm. The results of the disease are extremely erratic. Many of the effective treatments given to infected dogs are not suitable for cats so treatment is often more of a 'watch and see' variety.
The good news is that, although there are fewer products available it is now possible to give your cat preventative heartworm medicine. A monthly dose will stop your cat becoming infected with this life-threatening condition. You will be faced with a minimal regular payment rather than any huge and financially disruptive bills for expensive treatment in the future. Plus, by treating your cat with a preventative heartworm medication you abet slow the spread of the disease to other animals, both domesticated and wild.
Speak to your Vet about the risk of this disease in your site and the options for treatment. No medication marketed for dogs should be administered to your cat as some of the parasitic agents commonly given to dogs are highly toxic and even potentially fatal to cats.
For more information regarding Heartworm - Cats, and Heartworm for Dogs visit the Heartworm, Dogs & Cats site.
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Filed under Heartworm Symptoms by on Dec 6th, 2011. 
Interceptor Heartworm Pills are one of the leading branded form of heartworm medicine. Utilising milbemycin oxime as the active ingredient. This is one of the newer, safer methods of controlling parasites in our pets. Unlike the old style organo-phosphate insecticides milbemyclin works only against invertebrate nervous systems, having no ability to affect those of mammals. By disrupting the messages in the parasites nervous system it causes death very rapidly.
This ability for the active ingredients to target only hostile organisms means that this is an extremely honorable product to use on our pets. In fact puppies as young as 4 weeks (weighing 2lb or more) and kittens from 6 weeks (and 1.5lb or more) can be given the product to prevent parasitic infection.
Because milbemycin is such an effective nervous system disruptor Interceptor heartworm meds will protect your pet from several other parasites too. Dogs given Interceptor will be protected from heartworms, hookworm, roundworm and whipworm. Cats are protected from heartworms, hookworm and roundworm. Though these other parasitic worms are not so potentially risky as heartworm they still pose a threat to health and can be passed to other pets or sometimes children in the home. Regular de-worming for these intestinal parasites is always recommended, but choosing a heartworm medicine containing milbemycin means only one product is required to protect your pet.
Interceptor, if given in the correct manner (so every 30 days following a veterinary test for heartworm) is guaranteed to be completely effective in protecting your pets from these dangerous parasites. Aged for over 15 years in all breeds of dog and cat Interceptor heartworm pills have proven themselves effective and safe.
For more information regarding Interceptor heartworm pills and other heartworm meds visit the Heartworm Dogs & Cats state.
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Filed under Heartworm Symptoms by on Oct 3rd, 2011.
Are flea control and heartworm preventative still necessary to give your pet during the wintertime?
Flea Control:
You can choose to stop giving flea control when the weather turns cold, but it really depends on where you live. Fleas can actually be found on animals even during the wintertime. Pet's fur is the perfect spot for fleas to hibernate for the winter. The fibers deep down inside the carpeting in your home also provides the perfect environment for fleas to stay.
Once the temperature drops below 50, this is when fleas will become dormant and will cease that arrangement until the temperature goes benefit above 50. During the winter months, fleas find a warm place to lie dormant and are still laying eggs that are in the incubation period and once the weather becomes warmer, the eggs hatch out therefore leading to an infestation.
I personally have always kept my dog on flea preventative year round. He was so severely sensitive to fleas, I did not want to take the chance of causing him misery. I also gave him a flea bath regularly year round despite what the temperature was outside. I chose to keep giving my dog his flea prevention even during the winter because I did not want to end up with another flea infestation as soon as the weather turned warmer and have to fight the fleas in my house and on my dog. Speak to your local vet in your area and he can answer any questions you may have concerning whether or not your pet needs year round flea control.
Heartworm Preventative:
I live in North Texas and the winters do not get very cold and if the temperature does dip below freezing, it does not stay that arrangement long enough to perform me decide to stop giving heartworm preventative to my dog. Therefore, he stays on both flea control and heartworm prevention year round.
Choosing whether or not to give flea and heartworm prevention year round to your dog really depends on where you live and what the climate is like during wintertime. But do not halt giving your dog any heartworm preventative without first talking this over with your local vet. Once you terminate giving heartworm preventative to your dog, even if it is just for a month, your dog will need to be re-tested for heartworms before any medication can start being given again.
Heartworm disease is caused by mosquitoes. A mosquito bites a dog that is already carrying the heartworms which stay in the bloodstream in the larvae stage, which are baby heartworms. Now that the mosquito has ingested the larvae, then this mosquito will go bite another dog which injects the larvae under the skin. The baby heartworms, or larvae, live in the bloodstream for around four months then they migrate their way up into the dog's heart, and once they are there, they earn into adult heartworms and stay all around the heart and stay there where they will eventually suffocate the heart which could cause difficulty breathing and will eventually lead to death if left untreated. The cost of a once a month heartworm preventative pill, is a vast amount less than the treatment for heartworms.
Speak with your local vet and follow his instructions regarding what would be best for the health of your pet in your area.
DISCLAIMER:
I am not a licensed veterinarian, but I worked for one many years and I was taught a lot of useful information that I wanted to section with others.
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Filed under Heartworm Treatment by on Sep 15th, 2011.
The kids have been begging for one. Your neighbors just brought home an adorable puppy, reminding you of what you are missing. You had one growing up, and have fond memories of him. Is it time? Should you consider getting a dog?
The decision to bring a dog into your life is an primary one. Each year, millions of dogs are euthanized in animal shelters across the United States. According to the National Council on Pet Population, common reasons owners give for surrendering dogs to shelters include landlord issues, lack of time, cost of maintaining the pet, and moving. A dog requires an enormous commitment of time and money on the part of its owners. Below are some factors you should consider before bringing a dog into your home.
Do you have the time? Many of us affectionately remember our childhood dogs, and wish to recreate that experience for our own children. However, we must hold in mind that dog ownership has changed quite a bit over the last 20 to 30 years. With two income families now the norm, many dogs spend the majority of their days alone. While my childhood dog spent his days with my cease at home mother, and was often off leash in the neighborhood, this is neither legal nor possible in most communities today. All dogs need spend and mental stimulation. Many people make the mistake of assuming that a dog will exhaust himself if he has access to a large fenced in back yard. Dogs expected to entertain themselves alone in the backyard will usually do so by digging, chewing, and nuisance barking.
You will need to spend time each day walking your dog, to teach and reinforce good leash manners, and to exercise him. You will also need to spend time playing with your dog, both in the house and outside. Dogs are social animals, and playing catch or with a tug toy can be an opportunity for you to bond with your dog, as well as provide him with exercise and stimulation.
All dogs need some degree of grooming. Even non-shedding breeds will require trips to the groomer. Most vets recommend occasional brushing of your dogs teeth with or without a pet-safe toothpaste, in order to prevent plaque buildup and gum disease. Some breeds are prone to ear infections, and require daily cleaning of the ears. Nail trimming will be necessary, if a dogs nails are not worn down naturally through long walks.
A dog will require regular vet visits, for immunizations and checkups. Most towns require proof of rabies vaccine in order to register your dog. You will also need to consider emergency visits when your dog appears ill, or has injured himself.
All dogs require training. Depending on the age and amount of training your dog has had when you acquire him, training a dog to be an enjoyable family pet can select a considerable amount of time. If you plan to get a puppy, you will need to spend time on housebreaking, and showing your puppy what is OK to chew, (his toys), and what is not OK to chew ( the furniture). Even if you adopt an older dog who is already housebroken, you will most likely need to spend time training him to walk politely on a leash, not jump on visitors, and obey a few simple commands. Many reputable breeders and rescue groups strongly recommend that all new dog owners sign up for a beginners obedience or puppy class taught by a certified dog trainer.
Can you afford it? While most people anticipate the initial cost of purchasing or adopting a dog, few realize how posthaste the cost of owning a dog adds up. Initial equipment for your new dog will include food, collars, identification tags, leashes, training treats, brushes and grooming supplies, a dog bed, and toys to chew and play with. Most experts recommend a crate for keeping your puppy or young dog safe and out of trouble when you are unable to supervise him.
Do you have a fenced in yard for your dog to play in? You may find yourself paying to have your yard fenced in once you accumulate a dog. Chains and cable tie-outs do not allow a dog to exercise freely, and most experts advise against chaining a dog as a primary earn of confinement, as it can lead to aggressive, territorial behavior.
Do you work full-time? If you and other members of your family are gone for most of the day, you may not be able to convince a reputable breeder or rescue group to place a puppy with you. You will undoubtedly need to hire a dog-walker, or remove your dog to a "doggy daycare". Costs for dog walkers can range from $10.00 to $18.00 per 20 to 30 minute walk. Doggy daycare costs can run from $10.00 to $35.00 dollars per day.
If your dog is a non-shedding breed, he may require regular trips to the groomer. If you anticipate getting a dog that will need professional grooming, check with local groomers to find out how grand they charge to groom that breed; this will give you an idea of your monthly/bi-monthly grooming costs. Even if your dog does not require professional grooming, you will want to maintain him clean, and will need to purchase grooming supplies, such as brushes, shampoos, pet wipes, and ear cleaning solution.
Most new dog owners want their dog to become a well-behaved, well-mannered pet; this will require training. Many breeders and shelters advise that new owners enroll in a puppy kindergarten or beginners obedience class. If you elect not to attend a formal training class, you will no doubt want to grasp books or DVDs on dog training.
The cost of veterinary visits should also be included in your budget. All dogs require regular vet visits for vaccinations and checkups. Your vet and breeder will recommend spaying or neutering your dog to prevent behavioral and health problems. Prospective owners should also factor in the cost of regular flea and tick treatment, such as Frontline, and the cost of preventative heartworm treatment. Should your dog injure himself and require emergency medical attention, you should be prepared to pay the costs.
Do you enjoy an annual vacation, or frequent out of town trips? Unless you have a close friend or relative who is willing to care for your dog, you will need to board him at a kennel. Boarding costs can range from $15.00 to $45.00 per day.
Will your living position change in the near future? Do you own your own home? If you are renting right now, do you anticipate moving in a few years? Finding rental accommodations that accept dogs can be difficult. Are you planning on changing jobs or starting a family? Stressful life changes often mean you will have less time available to care for your dog. Be realistic about your lifestyle, and how future living and employment situations will impact your ability to care for a dog. You may find it better to wait a few more years before welcoming a dog into your family.
The benefits of owning a dog are numerous; studies show that the mere act of petting a dog can lower blood pressure and reduce stress. Walking a dog can be a titanic procedure to gain exercise and meet people in your community. Likewise, having to surrender a dog to a shelter because you lack the time or money to care for him, can be devastating. Taking some time to assess your living situation before you commit to a dog could place you untold heartache. It could also spare a dog from becoming another statistic...one of the millions of unwanted pets euthanized in shelters each year.
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Filed under Heartworm Symptoms by on Jun 24th, 2011.
Pet adoption can manufacture a world of difference to our friendly shrimp animals. There are pets all around the world that have been rescued and now need a place to be loved and cared for. Adoption in Cincinnati is a great plan for you to help out the pets who are in need and have a friend that you can cuddle with or teach novel tricks too.
The Animal Adoption Agency has a ton of different dogs and cats to choose from. They are currently housing over 100 of these animals who are waiting for a recent life to come their way. Animal Adoption Agency also asks for volunteer workers who are willing to scamper the animals and help to take care of them. They do not condole killing the animals but they still need your help to take care of them so that they can continue to provide shelter for the animals that are there. The current adoption fee for one of the dogs that are currently up for adoption is approximately $90 for most dogs and puppies. The kitten and cats that are at the adoption agency run approximately $65. These adoption prices are worn to help maintain the animals and to spade or neuter them as well as getting their vaccinations. Adoption hours are on Tuesday and Friday from 4-7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. They also currently offer lodging for people who are out of town but are still interested in coming to adopt one of the animals. The address for the Animal Adoption Foundation is 2480 Millville Ross Rd. in Hamilton, OH. This position is approximately 40 minutes from Cincinnati, OH. If you are involved in adopting and animal from the Animal Adoption Agency, you can reach them by calling (513) 737-PETS for more information. http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH57.html
1800-save a pet.com is another animal shelter that searches for animals that have been stranded, mistreated, or abandoned. This animal shelter is seeking out people who are willing to adopt one of these animals to care for. The average price of animal here is between $125-$225 and this will help to veil the housing cost, spade or neutering process, vaccination, and other care that has been given to the animals. Their location is in Cincinnati, OH and you can reach them by calling (513) 503-7234 for more information about this animal adoption agency.
KiJiJi free local classifieds allow you to search for an animal of your choice in Cincinnati. This is a free local classified state and the owners of the pets get to set the price for you to pay. If you are interested in finding an animal at a certain effect or want a certain animal, you can go to http://cincinnati.kijiji.com/f-Pets-Pet-adoption-W0QQCatIdZ100113 for more information on how to come by one of these animals as a pet and how to obtain in contact with the owner of the animal for adoption.
Circle Tail is another vast station to inspect into adoption for animals. They have an online adoption request form that you can fill out for your convenience and they will reply to you within two to three business days. Once they have a match for you, they will arrange a day and time that they can have the animal at the shelter for you to meet. This is all part of the adoption process so that you can become acquainted with the animal. The hours of operation are by appointment only so you would need to contact them before meeting at the Circle Tail. The adoption fee is to help pay for housing, shots, medical treatment, and other means of caring for the animal. The adoption fee is currently based on the dog's age, breed, size, amount of training and any additional medical care that it has had to have. If you have any questions about Circle Tail, they encourage you to call them at 513-877-3325 or you can email them at adoption@circletail.org or you can go to their website at http://circletail.org for further information about them and their adoption process.
The Hart adoption agency has plenty of dogs, puppies, cats, and kitty cats to go around. They are looking for people to adopt the animals to help provide better care for them. Each dog that is 17 weeks or older cost approximately $150, puppies range from $200, Cats and kitty cats are approximately $85 and these fees help to maintain the animal shelter so that they can continue to provide adequate care for the animals. The fees also abet cover a Home Again Microchip, insertion and registration for the animals, spay/neuter, fecal test, treatment for flea and ticks, first three set of puppy shots for puppies only, heartworm test, rabies test, bordatella, and DHPP for non-puppies only. If you are currently interested in adopting one of these animals, please visit their website at http://www.rescueahart.org/default.asp to get more information on the adoption process and how to contact them.
The League for Animal Welfare are also currently looking for people to adopt their animals so that they can continue to provide care for the ones who are in need of it. If you are interested in adoption one of the dogs or cats from The League for Animal Welfare you can contact them at 513-735-2299 or by email at ifaw@fuse.net so that you can accumulate even more information or contact them about any questions that you might have. The hours of operation are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 to 4:30 p.m.. During the adoption process it takes approximately 60-90 minutes to complete the dog adoption process and about 30-45 minutes to complete a cat adoption.
Save our Strays is an adoption agency for pets that help to rescue and save them. If you are looking to adopt cats or kittens, this would be the best place to go. The adoption fee is $95 and this helps to cover the care of the animals and also helps them to maintain the organization for other animals. If you are fervent in adopting a cat from them, you can email them at soscinti@yahoo.com or call and leave a voicemail at 513-768-3600. Once you contact them they will be able to benefit you through the adoption process and answer any questions that you might have pertaining to adoption on an animal.
No matter what kind of animal that you are looking for to be your pet, you can be clear that you will be helping them out when you decide to adopt one. These animal shelters go to colossal lengths to continue to rescue animals from the streets and to plot them in good homes where they will be loved and treated as they should be treated.
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Filed under Heartworm Treatment by on May 22nd, 2011.