- Herbs such as garlic can help prevent and treat canine heartworm disease.garlic image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
Heartworm is a parasite spread to dogs via infected mosquitoes. Approximately six months after infestation, the heartworms mature and become adults. They travel through the dog’s bloodstream, eventually setting up camp in the heart and pulmonary vessels, according to the American Heartworm Society. Symptoms in the dog include rapid breathing, lethargy and weight loss, and do not appear until the dog is heavily infected. Heartworm disease is treatable in all but the most advanced cases. - Melarsomine dihydrochloride is a form of adulticide therapy used to treat heartworm disease in dogs. Adulticide is a type of pesticide designed to kill adult or mature insects rather than larvae. Given via an intramuscular injection into the dog’s lumbar muscles, the drug has the potential to minimize post-adulticide complications on dogs, according to Michigan State University. Veterinarians generally use this treatment on dogs that have severe heartworm infestation.
- Administered by intravenous injection, thiacetarsamide sodium is another type of adulticide used in the treatment of canine heartworm disease. If the drug leaks around the dog’s vein it can cause intense perivascular inflammation (inflammation around the blood vessels), according to Michigan State University. Thiacetarsamide sodium is effective only when the dog is given a full dose, usually consisting of two or more injections for a number of consecutive days, depending on the severity of the infestation.
- Certain herbs and diet supplements are known for their ability to kill parasites in humans and animals, according to Unchain Your Dog. These herbs include rosemary, thyme, mint, sage, clove, garlic, hawthorn berry, milk thistle extract, dried cranberries, wormwood complex and dried black walnut hull. Check with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any natural treatments.
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