How to Protect Your Dog from Heartworm

During the summer season, heat isn’t the only challenge to your pet’s health. There are a number of diseases and other ailments that proliferate when the weather becomes warmer. Heartworm is a deadly parasite that infects and kills countless dogs every year. This mosquito-borne ailment is common throughout much of the United States, and is often difficult to detect until it’s caused substantial damage to a dog’s cardiac health.

Stomach worms, ticks and a number of other potentially deadly threats also proliferate when the weather’s warmer. While it may be a great time to take your pet out and enjoy a barbecue, summer is also a perilous time for your pet.

Thankfully, there are a number of ways you can protect your dog against heartworm and other summer parasites. Here are just a few steps you can take to help guard your furry friend against heartworm:

• Visit a vet:
  One of the most surefire ways to keep your pet safe and healthy is by regularly visiting a veterinary clinic in St. Francisville, LA. Obtaining routine pet healthcare is a great way to diagnose any potential health concerns and ensure that you are providing your pet with the proper preventative measures to reduce the risk of contracting heartworm.
• Keep the pests away:
  Keeping mosquitoes out of your home and your dog’s living area is one of the most significant steps you can take toward heartworm prevention. Keep your home and yard free of any standing, stagnant water, and consider burning citronella candles or incense around your house and property. If you’re still experiencing an influx of mosquitos, you may want to invest in strong pest prevention chemicals.
• Apply preventative medication:
  You can purchase a number of preventative heartworm medications from your local veterinary clinic in St. Francisville, LA. Many preventative medications are applied topically, while some are given orally. These medications make your dog less appealing to mosquitoes, and help prevent heartworm infection from occurring in the first place. It’s important to avoid using preventative medication on dogs with an existing infection, however.
• Know the signs:
  There are several symptoms that may indicate a potential heartworm infection in your dog, if you know what to look for. These signs include a dry cough, unusual lethargy, weight loss, rapid breathing and a bulging chest. If you notice your dog exhibiting any of these symptoms, take them to a veterinary clinic in St. Francisville, LA as quickly as possible.

Since 1984, St. Francisville Animal Hospital has been a premier veterinary clinic in St. Francisville, LA. We are proud to provide each and every one of our clients with a wide range of pet health solutions designed to meet the needs of their furry friends. You can count on us to provide your pet with the best possible healthcare in the region. We offer routine care, examinations, vaccinations and preventative medication. We also specialize in offering surgery and emergency care. We provide a wide range of pet care solutions, including adoptions, grooming and boarding. Get in touch with us today to learn more!

Categorised in: Dog Health