Have a heart! Protect your dog!

Have a heart! Protect your dog!

As a pet owner, you are responsible for the health and well-being of your pet. This includes the prevention of heartworm disease and the control of intestinal worms that are transmissible to humans. Fortunately, taking care of these problems is as easy as giving your dog a safe and effective once a month real beef chewable that is easy for you to give and your dog will love to take.

What you should know about heartworms: Heartworms are transmitted to dogs by mosquitoes. Without the protection of a heartworm preventative, your pet could get heartworm disease, a potentially deadly illness of the heart and lungs. All dogs are at risk for heartworm disease NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE. Once a dog is infected with heartworms, treatment can be expensive, difficult and unsuccessful.

Over 250,000 dogs in the US were reported positive for heartworm in 2004. In 2009, 3 to 5 cases were reported per veterinary hospital right here in Colorado. Mosquitoes transmit immature heartworms from infected dogs to healthy dogs. Heartworms live in the heart and lungs of infected dogs. Left untreated, heartworm disease may be fatal to your dog. Some common signs of heartworm infection in dogs include coughing, difficulty breathing and sluggishness. Recently infected dogs may show no signs of the disease. Other carriers of heartworm disease include wolves, foxes, ferrets, coyotes and raccoons.

In addition to heartworms, your dog is also at risk for hookworms and roundworms, intestinal parasites that can cause dangerous infections. Hookworms are commonly found in dogs of any age. They live in the intestines and feed on the tissue there, resulting in blood loss and inflammation. Severe infection can lead to anemia, debilitation and even death, especially in puppies. Roundworms are among the most common intestinal parasites of dogs. They can infect over 90% of puppies under 3 months of age. Adult roundworms live in the intestines, depriving their hosts of nutrients. Some common signs of roundworm infection in dogs are diarrhea, weight loss, swollen abdomen and vomiting. Transmission to dogs can happen through the mother’s placenta or milk and through contact with the feces of an infected animal. Both of these parasites are easily transmitted to humans through soil or through the skin. Most animals that have intestinal parasites have no evidence in the stools of such. The only way to check for intestinal parasites in this case is to perform a microscopical test of the feces.

All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventative program. At Mountain Paws Veterinary Practice, we highly recommend every dog to be on heartworm prevention. We are offering a FREE HEARTWORM TEST with the purchase of the heartworm preventative. Please call us @ 303-816-2200 and let us help protect your dog starting today.

****Our goal here at Mountain Paws Veterinary Practice has always been to assemble a veterinary health care team committed to providing exceptional client service and veterinary health care. The Mountain Paws Veterinary Practice team displays an unrivaled commitment to our clients through continuing education, technological advances in veterinary medicine and service, and most importantly, administering compassionate care to all pets entrusted to us.****




Mountain Paws Veterinary Practice
27122 Main St. Unit J-100
Conifer, CO 80433
303-816-2200
mountainpawsvet.com

Not enough people take heartworm seriously. Many people seem to believe that just because Colorado is dry, and mosquitoes are less common, they do not need to pay for heartworm preventatives. Well, as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Namu

I agree Namu and I think I read that once your dog has it, saving them is very difficult.